Over the course of three days, seven rounds, and 257 picks, North Carolina had three football players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft held in Detroit. Additionally, there’s a potential for other Tar Heels to enter the league alongside quarterback Drake Maye (selected by the New England Patriots in the first round), linebacker Cedric Gray (selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round), and receiver Tez Walker (selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round).
NFL teams have signed undrafted free-agent contracts with running back British Brooks (Houston Texans), defensive lineman Tomari Fox (Las Vegas Raiders), outside linebacker/edge rusher Amari Gainer (Raiders), defensive lineman Myles Murphy (Arizona Cardinals), and offensive lineman Spencer Rolland (Minnesota Vikings). These players will compete for roster spots. Storm Duck, a former defensive back for UNC and now with the Miami Dolphins, also signed an undrafted free agency deal. He originally moved to Penn State before playing for Louisville the previous season.
College products who don’t receive undrafted free-agent deals can accept invitations to compete in rookie minicamps, and thus try to latch on in the league that way. Some NFL teams are holding rookie minicamps across the first weekend of May, while other teams are conducting theirs during the second weekend of May. Offensive lineman William Barnes (New York Giants) and defensive back Don Chapman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) of UNC have accepted rookie minicamp invites.
Former UNC receiver Beau Corrales (New England Patriots), who has battled injuries and spent the last two seasons at SMU and Texas State after transferring, also has accepted an NFL rookie minicamp invitation. Corrales participated in the Pro Day workout at UNC in late March, headlined by Maye, that attracted an army of NFL personnel types.
While not ideal, not drafting is not an impossible route to follow. Numerous athletes—including Fox’s elder brother—have pursued NFL careers in this manner. Following the 2024 draft, these are the destinations of UNC’s undrafted prospects who played for the Tar Heels during their college careers:
