A couple of former Heels got calls from NFL teams in the latter rounds of the league draft on Saturday.
Defensive end E.J. Wilson, who was a longshot to be drafted, was taken in the fourth round by Seattle.
Nose tackle Cam Thomas was taken in the fifth round by the San Diego Chargers. It was thought Thomas would go higher.
According to Inside Carolina, the following former Tar Heels were picked up as undrafted free agents:
Kyle Jolly (Pittsburgh), Kennedy Tinsley (St. Louis), Aleric Mullins (Green Bay), Bobby Rome (Green Bay), Jordan Hemby (Indianapolis)
The UNC program under Butch Davis is at a stage where sending players to the NFL, hopefully in higher slots, is extremely important when it comes to building recruiting momentum. The players who went this season were with Davis for three years. Next season stands to be a bonanza of picks coming out of UNC on the defensive end which means the team results on the field should be better, assuming the offense shows up.