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College Football: Who makes the Final Cut for the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame?

By Brandon Self

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 23: A general view of the College Football Hall of Fame Grand Opening at College Football Hall of Fame on August 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 23: A general view of the College Football Hall of Fame Grand Opening at College Football Hall of Fame on August 23, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) /
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#3 – Julius Peppers – Defensive End – North Carolina

10 Nov 2001: Defensive End Julius Peppers #49 of the North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels running after the ball during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Demon Deacons defeated the Tar Heels 32-31.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport
10 Nov 2001: Defensive End Julius Peppers #49 of the North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels running after the ball during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Demon Deacons defeated the Tar Heels 32-31.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport /

Peppers was one of the nation’s most physically dominant defensive ends during his career for the Tarheels. He was a physical phenom at the position, combining a rare speed with enormous size and flexibility. He was known for his pass-rushing abilities, but he was also equally dominant in the run game.

As a sophomore in 2000, Peppers led the nation in sacks with 15 and earned his first of two All-America selections. Following the 2001 season, Peppers won the Bednarik Award for being the nation’s top defensive player. He also collected the prestigious Lombardi trophy in the same season.

Peppers finished his collegiate career with 30.5 sacks, ranking him second all-time in North Carolina history behind Lawerence Taylor. He also finished with 167 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, recovered, and an astounding 5 interceptions, one of which he took to the house in Norman, Oklahoma.

Peppers was selected #2 overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, where he went on to have a first-ballot NFL Hall of Fame career. Peppers ended his professional career ranked fourth all-time in sacks, with 159.5.

If Vick was a never before seen offensive talent, Peppers was his equivalent on the defensive side of the ball. The 6′ 7”, 300-pound defensive end was an unstoppable force at every level of the game. No doubt, a College Football Hall of Fame.

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