There's no denying how improved the 2026 UNC football program is from a season ago. Just look at last weekend as a prime example, with North Carolina delivering head coach Bill Belichick the first ranked win of his collegiate career.
The Tar Heels generated their own fourth quarter comeback, upsetting 25th-ranked Pitt 21-17, behind timely offense and a late defensive stand. UNC (3-2, 1-1 ACC) linebacker Derek McDonald and defensive lineman Xavier Lewis each totaled 12 tackles, with Lewis setting a career-high, while defensive back Greg Smith added eight tackles (five solo).
Saturday's effort were simply continuations of strong season for this North Carolina defensive trio. Lewis leads the ACC with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, McDonald is second
in the conference with 49 tackles and Smith is fifth with three interceptions.
McDonald also leads the ACC with 9.8 tackles per game. Lewis has 1.9 TFLs per game, which leads the ACC and ranks second nationally, while his 1.3 sacks per game also lead the ACC and rank fourth nationally.
ACC Defensive Stat Leaders through Week 6‼️🏈 pic.twitter.com/3xMTWtZuu0
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 13, 2026
Smith and Lewis returned from the Tar Heels' 2025 squad, with each sophomore in the midst of breakout seasons. Lewis earned Aer Lingus Class MVP honors for his role in UNC's season-opening, 15-10 upset of TCU, while Smith moved into a full-time starting role following multiple secondary departures. McDonald, a graduate transfer from Syracuse, is well on track for his best collegiate campaign.
Next up for Lewis, McDonald, Smith and the rest of their North Carolina teammates is a Saturday road battle with archival Duke. The Tar Heels will have their hands full with a strong Blue Devils (4-1, 1-1 ACC) offense, but if their ACC-leading trio comes to play, you're looking at a 4-2 squad.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Tar Heel trio amongst ACC football's statistical leaders
