Reliving a few NFL Draft memories for former Tar Heel football players Posted Apr 29, 2024 Julius Peppers is the greatest defensive player to come out of Chapel Hill since Lawrence Taylor, with both being among the top defensive players in college and pro football history. Peppers ranks fourth in NFL history with 159.5 sacks, plus he played in 266 of 272 games. Hakeem Nicks was a Super Bowl Champion with the New York Giants in 2012. (Tar Heels Wire)