14-05-2025
Star UNC pass rusher signed by reigning AFC North Champions
Star UNC pass rusher signed by reigning AFC North Champions Can this former Tar Heel star make a final, 53-man NFL roster?
Despite playing in just eight of UNC's 13 football games during the 2024 college football season, Kaimon Rucker still found plentiful ways to contribute during his final season in Chapel Hill.
Rucker started six of the eight contests he appeared in, totaling 30 tackles (16 solo), eight tackles for loss (fourth on the Tar Heels), six sacks (third on North Carolina), three quarterback hurries, an interception and pass breakup apiece. Rucker's best game was during UNC's 41-14 domination of Virginia, when he set season highs of 3.5 TFLs and three sacks.
While Rucker didn't hear his name called in April's NFL Draft, his valuable contributions – over five years as a Tar Heel – proved he deserves a shot at professional football.
Rucker's dreams of continuing his football career recently came true. On Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens signed Rucker as a UDFA (undrafted free agent).
Rucker, who also earned Second Team All-ACC Honors in 2023, joins a Baltimore squad that proves to maximize its defensive players' talent.
Despite sporting the NFL's second-worst pass defense (244.1 yards per game allowed) in their 2024-2025 campaign, the Ravens were amongst the NFL's best at generating pressure and sacking the quarterback. Kyle Van Noy recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks, while former Penn State linebacker Odafe Oweh notched 10 sacks. In total, 13 Ravens tallied multiple sacks.
Rucker sported solid numbers across his 5-year UNC career: 180 total tackles (100 solo), 38.5 TFLs and 22 sacks. He'll look to improve upon those numbers in what we hope is a successful NFL career.
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