University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC NFL Draft Notes
April 28, 2017 | Football
• Mitch Trubisky became the first quarterback in UNC history selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The last time a Carolina quarterback was selected in the NFL Draft was T.J. Yates in 2011 (fifth round to the Houston Texans).
• Trubisky is the fifth North Carolina quarterback selected in the NFL Draft. The others were T.J. Yates in 2011 (fifth round, Houston), Ronald Curry in 2002 (seventh round, Oakland), Chris Kupec in 1975 (15th round, Buffalo), Danny Talbott in 1967 (17th round, San Francisco), Jeff Beaver in 1968 (15th round, Baltimore), Jack Cummings in 1960 (fourth round, Philadelphia).
• Trubisky is the ninth player in UNC history taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Carolina's other top 10 draft picks are Ken Willard (No. 2 in 1965), Lawrence Taylor (No. 2 in 1981), Julius Peppers (No. 2 in 2002), Ken Huff (No. 3 in 1975), Ryan Sims (No. 6 in 2002), Jonathan Cooper (No. 7 in 2013), Greg Ellis (No. 8 in 1998) and Eric Ebron (No. 10 in 2014).
• Trubisky is the eighth first-round pick at UNC since 2008. Defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer was selected 29th overall by San Francisco in 2008. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was picked 29th overall by the New York Giants in 2009. Defensive end Robert Quinn was the 14th overall selection by the St. Louis Rams in 2011. Defensive end Quinton Coples was picked 16th overall by the New York Jets in 2012. Offensive guard Jonathan Cooper was the No. 7 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams was the 28th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2013 and tight end Eric Ebron was the No. 10 overall selection by the Detroit Lions in 2014.
• In Larry Fedora's five seasons at UNC, the Tar Heels have produced four first round picks – offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (seventh overall to Arizona in 2013), Sylvester Williams (28th overall to Denver in 2013), Eric Ebron (10th overall to Detroit in 2014) and Mitch Trubisky (second overall to Chicago in 2017).
• North Carolina has produced eight first-round draft picks since 2008. That is the third highest total of any ACC school. Florida State and Clemson rank first with nine. The only other in-state schools with a first-round draft pick since 2008 are Duke (1), Wake Forest (1) and ECU (1).
• Trubisky is the 24th overall first round NFL Draft pick in UNC history – and the eighth since 2008.
• Carolina's 24 all-time first-round draft picks is the most of any school in the state, ahead of NC State (15), Duke (6) and Wake Forest (5).
Most First-Round NFL Draft Picks in ACC Since 2008
9 - Clemson - 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 (3), 2016, 2017 (2)
9 - Florida State - 2010, 2011, 2013 (3), 2014, 2015 (2), 2016
8 - Carolina - 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 (2), 2014, 2017
6 - Louisville – 2009, 2014 (3), 2015, 2016
5 - Boston College - 2008 (2), 2009, 2011, 2012
5 - Miami – 2008, 2015 (2), 2016, 2017
4 - Notre Dame - 2012 (2), 2013, 2014
3 - Pittsburgh - 2008, 2011, 2014
3 - Virginia - 2008 (2), 2009
3 - Virginia Tech - 2008, 2012, 2014
2 - Georgia Tech - 2010 (2)
2 - Syracuse - 2012, 2013
2 - Wake Forest – 2009, 2015
1 - Duke - 2015
1 - Maryland - 2009
0 - NC State
