A 31-30 Collapse Sets Up UNC Football Stock Report: 3 Risers, Fallers After Week 8

Three Tar Heels Rising

Linebacker Seelmann, a transfer from Richmond, made 11 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack against Syracuse. His sideline-to-sideline pursuit stood out on a defense that struggled in several areas.

Receiver Kekahuna caught four passes for 33 yards while playing a limited role. With Mason Humphrey out for a second straight game, Kekahuna has had more chances, and his involvement has increased over recent weeks.

Three Stocks Under Pressure

Edwards Jr. completed 27 of 44 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He began with 11 straight completions for 98 yards and a touchdown, but the offense stalled for extended stretches as his passing became less consistent.

Edge rusher Abou Jaoude recorded three tackles against Syracuse and has one sack this season. The report says a hand injury suffered in the season opener against TCU has hampered him; it also identifies him as the 2025 ACC sack leader.

Washington’s stock fell after he dropped a walk-in touchdown in the third quarter. Demon June scored a 25-yard touchdown on the following play, limiting the immediate cost of the miss.

Syracuse Hands UNC a Loss

North Carolina led by double digits but could not hold on, losing 31-30 to Syracuse on Saturday night. The Tar Heels had also built a lead against Duke the previous week, but won that game.

The result interrupted the momentum North Carolina had hoped to carry into next weekend’s difficult matchup with Miami. The offense’s trouble sustaining drives and the defense’s struggles against the run were central concerns.