Sack Leader vs. Unbeaten: Can UNC's Defense Slow Notre Dame?
North Carolina will need its top-25 scoring defense and the nation’s sack leader to show up big time on Saturday if they want a chance to knock off the 4-0 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images
The Tar Heels' defense has been the strong suit of UNC through three games, limiting opponents to under 14 points per game and allowing just four total offensive touchdowns.
UNC Results (2-1)
15-10 win vs TCU (in Ireland)
35-3 win vs ETSU
20-28 loss at Clemson
While Head Coach Bill Belichick and Defensive Line Coach Bob Diaco have large influences over the defense, it is Belichick’s youngest son, Brian, who calls the shots. The UNC DBs and Safeties Coach was thrust into a playcalling role following former Defensive Coordinator Steve Belichick’s resignation on September 17th following an internal investigation into the program’s culture and conduct. Brian is in his second season with UNC following time as an assistant with the New England Patriots (2016-23), most notably serving as the Safeties Coach from 2020-23.
Below, you will find key UNC defensive statistics:
312.3 total yards per game allowed
4.6 total yards per play allowed
13.67 points per game allowed (20th in the country)
4 total TDs allowed (tied-3rd in the country)
123 rushing yards per game allowed
189.33 passing yards per game allowed
1 passing TD allowed (tied-1st in the country)
6 forced turnovers
3.33 sacks per game (tied-9th in the country)
As for the Notre Dame offense, they enter Saturday’s matchup as one of the most efficient units in the country. QB CJ Carr has a 70.5% completion rate with nine passing touchdowns and one interception, while averaging 240.8 passing yards per game. The Irish QB has also added two scores with his feet. RB Nolan James Jr. has impressed in his time this season splitting carries with Aneyas Williams. James has 197 yards and three touchdowns across 46 carries and has added nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns as a receiving threat. Also supporting Carr through the air has been the WR duo of Jordan Faison and Micah Gilbert, combining for 32 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns. Find some key offensive statistics through four games below:
416.8 total yards per game
6.6 yards per play (tied-33rd in the country)
42.3 points per game (17th in the country)
22 offensive TDs (tied-14th in the country)
141.8 rushing yards per game
275 passing yards per game (34th in the country)
10 passing TDs (tied-23rd in the country)
1 offensive turnover (tied-2nd in the country)
95% red zone scoring rate (tied-23rd in the country)
Now, we will take a look at the Tar Heels defensive personnel by position group:
EDGEs
Jaylen Harvey
UNC’s top edge rusher in the absence of Melkart Abou Jaoude has been Jaylen Harvey. The 6-2, 245-pound redshirt sophomore is in his first season at UNC following two years at Penn State.
Harvey originally committed to Penn State as a three-star recruit out of Quince Orchard High School in Maryland. Across two years with the Nittany Lions, he recorded 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and one sack in 16 games played, including one start.
The explosive pass rusher has broken out through three games at UNC, with 10 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He had a season-high five tackles and one fumble recovery against TCU, and followed up this performance with a three-tackle, two-sack showing against ETSU. The Maryland native showcased his pass-rush skills in these games, tallying three pressures against TCU and four against ETSU. The next step in Harvey’s game is more consistently turning these pressures into sacks. The Penn State transfer did have a weaker performance in the loss to Clemson, finishing the game with just one tackle for loss.
Harvey possesses a high motor and plays with good physicality. He did not have much starting experience entering 2026, and has not been much of a threat against the run this year.
Donovan Hoilette Jr.
After Abou Jaoude’s week one injury, Donovan Hoilette Jr. has been thrust into a starting role the past couple of games. The 6-4, 245-pound lineman is in his first year at UNC as a Graduate transfer from Richmond.
Hoilette originally committed to Richmond out of Palm Beach Central High School in Florida. He would spend five years with the Spiders, making 16 starts across 40 games played. He finished his Richmond career with 103 tackles, 22 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, one interception, four PBUs, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. Hoilette had his 2021 and 2024 seasons shortened, as he redshirted after appearing in four games in ‘21 and suffered a season-ending injury in the team’s second game in ‘24. He was able to bounce back strongly in 2025 with a First Team All-Patriot League-worthy season.
Through three games at UNC, Hoilette has recorded five tackles, including two each against TCU and Clemson. Clearly, the grad transfer’s proven pass rush potential from Richmond has not translated yet. Hoilette does bring solid experience from his time at Richmond to this UNC DL room, and he offers more of a speed-rush option with good length rather than a pure physical threat. He did really struggle to set the edge against Clemson, a reason UNC is hoping for Abou Jaoude’s return as soon as possible.
Others to watch: Melkart Abou Jaoude (missed last two weeks after suffering an injury vs TCU; UNC’s most impactful player in my opinion)
Interior Linemen
Leroy Jackson
UNC’s top run defender this season has been 6-1, 300-pound Leroy Jackson. The redshirt sophomore is in his third year with the Heels after committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of Lee County High School in Georgia.
Prior to 2026, Jackson had made 11 starts across 13 games played at UNC. During this time, the lineman tallied 37 tackles and one PBU despite playing in just one game in 2024 due to injury.
This season, the Georgia native has 15 tackles and one sack. He had two tackles and a sack in the loss against Clemson, but had a season-high eight tackles in the win over TCU. Jackson does have good previous starting experience from last season, but is still developing as an all-around threat. His pass rush production has been limited in his UNC career so far.
Xavier Lewis
I suppose Jackson does not need to create that much as a pass rusher when his running mate is the nation’s leader in sacks per game. Sophomore Xavier Lewis has exploded out of the gates to begin the 2026 season, his second at UNC.
After totaling just eight tackles last season in 11 games played, the Raleigh native has 17 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and six sacks through three games this year. Lewis has at least five tackles and two sacks in each game, and was named the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic MVP after posting a season-high seven tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and two sacks in the overseas win against TCU.
Lewis is the epitome of a breakout star after entering the season with no previous starting experience. He is undersized, but uses his quickness to create pressure and elite pass rush production. Additionally, the sophomore has been good against the run, coming up with four stops against TCU. Lewis also possesses a good motor and is versatile enough to move across the line.
Others to watch: Isaiah Johnson, Trey Giddens
Linebackers
Derek McDonald
The leader of this defense wearing the green dot is Graduate transfer Derek McDonald. The 6-4, 240-pound LB spent his previous five years at Syracuse, where he originally committed to as a three-star recruit out of Atlanta, Georgia.
McDonald was very productive during his time with the Orange. In 41 games played at Syracuse, including 29 starts, he totaled 173 tackles, seven TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one interception, four PBUs, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. McDonald redshirted in 2021 after appearing in just two games. Then, he unfortunately had his 2022 and ‘25 seasons cut short due to injuries. He did not play against Notre Dame last year.
McDonald’s production has carried over through three games with the Heels, bringing 24 tackles and one PBU into Saturday’s matchup with the Irish. He recorded a season-high 11 tackles against TCU and then had 10 tackles and a PBU against Clemson. The grad transfer did leave a couple of tackles to be had against the Tigers when he had some misses due to lack of discipline.
The Syracuse transfer does provide valuable starting experience for UNC from his time with the Orange. McDonald has been limited in terms of splash plays this season and can struggle in coverage occasionally.
Peyton Seelmann
Another productive transfer LB starting next to McDonald is Peyton Seelmann. The 6-1, 230-pounder transferred to UNC this offseason following two years at Richmond.
Seelmann originally committed to Richmond out of Hanover High School in Virginia. Across 21 games played with the Spiders, including 12 starts, the LB recorded 129 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven PBUs, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He was named to the 2025 All-Patriot League First Team after leading his team with 120 tackles.
This season at UNC, Seelmann has racked up 20 tackles and one forced fumble. He flashed against ETSU with a season-high 10 tackles and one forced fumble in the win. However, the junior did struggle against TCU. He finished the Ireland victory with just two tackles and allowed three receptions for 67 yards on three targets.
Seelmann looked fine against the run against TCU and ETSU, but seemed a step slow in the loss to Clemson. He has showcased good instincts and has solid prior experience. It will be interesting to see if Carr and the Notre Dame pass game exploit Seelmann’s coverage abilities.
Others to watch: Jonathan Agumandu
Defensive Backs
S Greg Smith III
UNC utilizes a very versatile DB room, starting with Safety Greg Smith III. The redshirt sophomore is in his second season with the Heels as a former Florida transfer.
Smith originally committed to Florida as a four-star, in-state recruit out of Sumner High School. The 6-4, 215-pound DB spent one redshirt season with the Gators, appearing in five games and totaling five tackles and one PBU.
Last season, Smith transferred to UNC, where he made one start across 12 games played. He finished his debut season in Chapel Hill with 25 tackles, one interception, and two QB hurries.
This season, Smith has 16 tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions. He recorded a season-high seven tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble, and an interception against Clemson.
Interception at Clemson
Smith has displayed good ball production, featuring range and closing abilities, this season. He has been physical in run support, but overall inconsistent against the run. He struggled in this aspect against TCU but looked better against Clemson. Smith is another guy on this defense that is still developing nicely, with limited starting experience entering this season.
FS Peyton Waters
The Tar Heels’ starting FS this year has been redshirt sophomore Peyton Waters. He is in his second year at UNC as a former Washington transfer.
Waters originally committed to the Huskies out of Birmingham High School in California. The 6-1, 190-pound FS spent one year at Washington, making five tackles across 13 games played.
Last season, Waters transferred to UNC, where he redshirted after making three tackles in four games played.
The redshirt sophomore has emerged this season with 10 tackles, including at least three in each game. He had a season-high four tackles in the loss against Clemson.
Waters possesses good range and physicality as a contributor against the run. He is clearly still developing with limited previous defensive experience, as evidenced by his inconsistencies in coverage.
DB Coleman Bryson
Redshirt Senior Coleman Bryson is one of the more versatile pieces in this unit, usually lining up at safety or as a big nickel. Bryson is second season at UNC as a former Minnesota transfer.
The 6-2, 215-pound DB originally committed to Minnesota out of high school as a three-star recruit. Bryson appeared in 31 games with the Gophers, including eight starts. During this time, he racked up 54 tackles, one pick-six, and five PBUs.
Bryson entered the portal and transferred to UNC last season, where he appeared in 12 games. He finished his debut season in Chapel Hill with 17 tackles and two PBUs.
This season, the Waynesville, NC native has nine tackles and two PBUs. He recorded a season-high seven tackles and one PBU in the road loss at Clemson. Overall, he did struggle against the Tigers, though. He finished the loss with five missed tackles and allowed four receptions for 63 yards across four targets, including a touchdown, in coverage.
Bryson has good size and is a physical tackler, but this can backfire as it did against Clemson. His coverage has also been inconsistent, as he looked good against TCU, allowing just one four-yard catch on two targets.
CB Jaiden Patterson
Starting at one of the corner positions will be the 6-1, 195-pound Jaiden Patterson. The junior is in his third year at UNC after originally committing to the Heels as a four-star recruit out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia.
Patterson entered 2026 with 23 games played, including six starts. During this time, the CB recorded 36 tackles, two TFLs, one interception, and six PBUs.
This season, Patterson has tallied 11 tackles and one PBU through three games. He had three tackles and one PBU in a solid showing against TCU. He also had a season-high six tackles at Clemson; however, he struggled in the loss. He finished the game with three missed tackles and allowed three catches for 55 yards in coverage across seven targets. This is someone Notre Dame should take advantage of in the pass game.
DB Kaleb Cost
The final player to highlight on this UNC defense is another versatile DB. Kaleb Cost, a 5-11 and 195-pound senior, has played outside corner, nickel, and safety this season. The Atlanta native is in his fourth year at UNC after committing to the Heels out of Sandy Creek High School as a four-star recruit.
Cost entered the 2026 season with 22 starts across 37 games played, totaling 114 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, three interceptions including one pick-six, and 14 PBUs during this time.
This season, the versatile DB has recorded 13 tackles, including a season-high of seven against Clemson. He provides good previous starting experience for this DB unit and is a good, physical tackler.
Others to watch: Tre Miller
Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism.
Follow The Irish Tribune on social media:
Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X
Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox.
Check out our Irish partners:
TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here!
Comments