UNC football’s 2022 NFL Draft class grows with three picks in fifth round
North Carolina’s NFL draft pick count grew to four as running back Ty Chandler and offensive lineman Marcus McKethan followed quarterback Sam Howell as fifth round selections on Saturday.
They joined offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu, who was taken in the third round by the New York Giants, and Howell, who was the first pick of the fifth round by Washington.
The Minnesota Vikings chose Chandler with the 28th pick in the round. Chandler had never been the featured starter in his four years at Tennessee. In one season at Carolina, he rushed for a career-high 1,092 yards with 13 rushing touchdowns. He ranked fourth in the ACC at 84.0 rushing yards per game.
Chandler, a 5-foot-11, 204-pound native of Nashville, Tenn., recorded one of the fastest times by a running back at the NFL combine, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. He tied for the second-fastest time of all running backs who participated. He’s probably a bit underrated as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
The Giants picked McKethan a day after taking Ezeudu in the third round. NFL scouts were enamored by McKethan’s size and power at guard with a 6-foot-6, 340-pound frame. McKethan started a combined 24 games the past two seasons for the Tar Heels and was an honorable mention All-ACC the past two seasons.
McKethan’s selection makes it just the second time since 1990 that the Heels have had multiple offensive linemen selected in the same draft. The only other time it happened was in 2013, when three were picked.
Ezeudu, a 6-foot-4, 308-pound lineman who projects as a guard in the NFL, was the most dependable lineman the Tar Heels had last season. His versatility allowed the Heels to move him between left guard and left tackle as needed during the course of the year. He started a total of 28 games over the past three seasons including 11 games last season for the Heels.
Ezeudu became the highest UNC offensive lineman picked in the draft since both Jonathan Cooper was a first rounder and Brennan Williams was taken in the third round of the 2013 draft.
The Giants are clearly trying to rebuild their offensive line after also selecting Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the seventh overall pick. Ezeudu and McKethan will likely be in the mix to compete for a starting spot at left guard immediately.
Undrafted free agents
In addition to the four players drafted, five Tar Heels signed free agent deals starting with Tomon Fox, who made it a trio of UNC players from last season that will be in the Giants’ camp. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound linebacker ranks third in program history with 29.5 sacks.
Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel and tight end Garrett Walston both signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Gemmel, a three-year starter, was named third team All-ACC last season, after recording 75 tackles and a team-high seven quarterback hurries. He was the only Carolina player invited to the NFL draft combine that did not get drafted.
Walston combined for 37 catches over the past two seasons and four touchdowns.
Offensive lineman Jordan Tucker signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Tucker was a three-year starter for the Heels including every game last season at right tackle.
Cornerback Kyler McMichael signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McMichael played his first season at Clemson before transferring to UNC, where he started eight games in each of the past two seasons.
This story was originally published April 30, 2022 at 3:49 PM.