Tracking UNC football’s NFL undrafted free-agent signings: The full list of UDFAs

The 2022 NFL Draft has ended, and North Carolina football still has former players with chances to join teams in the league.

Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, edge rusher Tomon Fox, offensive lineman Jordan Tucker, defensive back Kyler McMichael, kicker Grayson Atkins and tight end Garrett Walston are among the Tar Heels who weren’t picked during the course of the three days and seven rounds conducted in Las Vegas.

But they figure to have opportunities to sign undrafted free-agent contracts, and then compete to earn NFL roster spots. Going undrafted certainly isn’t ideal, but it’s not an unnavigable path. Many players have traveled the undrafted free agent route to careers in the NFL.

This report will be updated as those signings are announced. Here’s a look at where North Carolina’s undrafted prospects have landed after the 2022 draft:

Jeremiah Gemmel to the 49ers

North Carolina linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel, the three-year starter and backbone for the Tar Heels on defense, has signed a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. He’s about three months removed from surgery to repair his left shoulder, an injury suffered in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

With Chazz Surratt, his North Carolina running mate at linebacker during the 2019 and 2020 seasons having departed for the NFL, Gemmel made the progression to taking on more leadership responsibilities last season. He provided a trusted voice among the Tar Heels, and earned third-team all-league recognition in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

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Gemmel ranked second in tackles on North Carolina’s defense for three straight seasons — collecting 84 tackles in 13 games in 2019, 78 tackles in 12 games in 2020, and 75 tackles in 13 games in 2021. Two of his best efforts last season came late in the year against Top 25 ranked opponents on the road. He supplied 11 tackles, a sack and an interception at Pittsburgh, and had 10 tackles and a forced fumble at rival North Carolina State.

Tomon Fox to the Giants

Edge defender Tomon Fox has signed a deal with the New York Giants, who used a pair of their 2022 draft picks on his former teammates, North Carolina offensive linemen Joshua Ezeudu (third-round selection) and Marcus McKethan (fifth-round choice).

Fox played outside linebacker in former Tar Heels defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s scheme, but he might be better suited for a rush defensive end role in the NFL. Only Greg Ellis and Julius Peppers, former All-American defensive ends at North Carolina who went on to distinguished careers in the NFL, accumulated more sacks in Chapel Hill than Fox. He ranks third in Tar Heels history with 29½ sacks.

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Fox spent six seasons in college — he was a true freshman in 2016 — after choosing to return for last season by way of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA has allowed all athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He compiled 47 career starting assignments and 42 career tackles for lost yardage at North Carolina, and checked in among the ACC sack leaders during the last two seasons, placing sixth in the league in 2020 with seven sacks and finishing fifth in 2021 with 8½ sacks. He picked up All-ACC third-team honors last season.

Kyler McMichael to Buccaneers

Kyler McMichael, who gained a certain degree of sleeper status as an NFL defensive back prospect, has signed a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He made 16 starts and played in 21 games across the last two seasons at North Carolina, after sitting out the 2019 season upon transferring from Clemson.

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McMichael became a valuable contributor with the Tar Heels deploying five defensive backs under Bateman, and regularly manned the cornerback spot opposite the highly regarded Tony Grimes, one of coach Mack Brown’s coveted victories on the recruiting trail. With cornerback Storm Duck plagued by injuries, the Tar Heels turned to McMichael. At 6-foot and 205 pounds, he possesses the length and physical attributes capable of earning a roster spot in the NFL.

“He’s a big corner who moves very well for his size,” one NFL scout said of McMichael.

Garrett Walston to the 49ers

Tight end Garrett Walston has joined Gemmel in signing a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, and he’ll have the chance to give his family another athlete in the professional ranks.

Walston joked that one of his motivations for using the NCAA’s COVID exemption and returning to North Carolina for a sixth season was to not allow his younger brother Blake Walston, a first-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect, to be his family’s only pro ball player.

Garrett Walston ranked fourth among the Tar Heels with 18 catches last season, but he wasn’t quarterback Sam Howell’s favorite target at tight end. Kamari Morales, the backup to Walston, had 24 catches for 220 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

Walston made 32 starts and played in 49 games across his college career, which began in 2016. In late December, his only reception in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl went for a 37-yard touchdown, the longest catch of his career. Walston contributed 19 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns during the 2020 season, on a North Carolina team that featured future NFL Draft picks in receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome and running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams.

Jordan Tucker to the Steelers

Right tackle Jordan Tucker, one of the veteran members of North Carolina’s offensive line, has signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made 36 starts and played in 45 games across the last four seasons, checking in behind only right guard Marcus McKethan in those categories for Tar Heels offensive linemen.

Tucker helped clear the way for 1,000-yard rushers in the 2019 season (Michael Carter), the 2020 season (Carter and Javonte Williams), and the 2021 season (Ty Chandler), as North Carolina ranked second in the ACC in rushing in 2020 and 2021.

North Carolina’s high-powered offense put up sizeable numbers with Howell at the controls for three seasons. But the offensive line, while hampered by injuries, came under scrutiny last season for struggling to protect Howell. He was sacked 48 times by opposing defenses, the worst number in the ACC.

Tucker developed deep appreciation for the ride alongside Howell, remarking last season, “this is stuff I’m going to tell my kids about.” He played in 831 snaps (out of 959 possible snaps) in 2019, 760 snaps (out of 849 possible) in 2020, and 709 snaps (out of 895 possible) in 2021 with the Tar Heels.

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Adam Smith is a sports reporter for the Burlington Times-News and USA TODAY Network. You can reach him by email at asmith@thetimesnews.com or @adam_smithTN on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Times-News: Tracking UNC football NFL undrafted free-agent signings: UDFA list