UNC Football: Cedric Gray selected by Titans in NFL Draft

Another Tar Heel is off the board! Cedric Gray was the next North Carolina football player to hear his name called at this year’s NFL Draft as he was selected in the 4th round at 106th overall by the Tennessee Titans.

Gray will now join the Titans after a four-year career in Chapel Hill. The linebacker was often one of the few bright spots on an often extremely frustrating defense. Gray finished his UNC career with 368 career tackles, which put him into the top ten all-time in school history. He also finished with a respectable 29 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five interceptions, and five forced fumbles.

He’s been especially key the past two seasons, as UNC have gone a combined 17-10. His 121 tackles in 2023 and 145 in 2022 led the Tar Heels in both seasons. His five sacks this past season was a career high.

Most of his other career bests came in 2022, as he helped Carolina to the Coastal Division title. His 145 tackles that year not only led UNC but led the ACC. Even before that year, he had made some big plays for Carolina, including his dramatic, game-sealing interception in the 2021 win over Miami.

Now, Gray will head out to Tennessee to try and start a professional career. UNC have a decent history of linebackers at the NFL level, producing Hall of Famers like Lawrence Taylor and Chris Hanburger, and solid pros like Brian Simmons and current Pittsburgh Steeler Cole Holcomb. Best of luck, Cedric!