North Carolina Tar Heels football statistical leaders explained

The North Carolina Tar Heels football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the North Carolina Tar Heels football program in various categories.[1] [2] These categories include passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, all-purpose yardage, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Tar Heels represent University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the NCAA's Atlantic Coast Conference.

Although North Carolina began competing in intercollegiate football in 1888, the school's official record generally does not include statistics from before the 1940s, as records from earlier years are often incomplete and inconsistent.

These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:

These lists are updated through North Carolina's game against Duke on November 11, 2023. Note that the NCAA does not officially recognize statistics for Hakeem Nicks and Deunta Williams, who were implicated in the scandal that caused the Tar Heels to retroactively forfeit all wins in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. However, the full stats of these players are listed in the school's media guide,[4] and also here. The NCAA continues to recognize statistics from those seasons amassed by players who were not implicated in the scandal.

Passing

Passing yards

Career
1Sam Howell10,2832019 2020 2021
2T. J. Yates9,3772007 2008 2009 2010
3Darian Durant8,7552001 2002 2003 2004
4Bryn Renner8,2212010 2011 2012 2013
5Drake Maye8,0182021 2022 2023
6Marquise Williams7,9652012 2013 2014 2015
7Ronald Curry4,9871998 1999 2000 2001
8Mitch Trubisky4,752[5] 2014 2015 2016
9Jason Stanicek4,6831991 1992 1993 1994
10Mike Thomas4,3681991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Single season
14,321 2022
2Mitch Trubisky3,7482016
33,641 2019
4Drake Maye 3,608 2023
5Sam Howell 3,586[6] 2020
6T. J. Yates3,4182010
7Bryn Renner3,3562012
8 Bryn Renner 3,086 2011
9 3,072 2015
10 Marquise Williams 3,068 2014
Single game
1Sam Howell550[7] Wake Forest
2Marquise Williams494[8] Duke
3Jacolby Criswell475[9] James Madison
4Mitch Trubisky453[10] 2016Pittsburgh
5Drake Maye448Wake Forest
6Sam Howell443Virginia
7Drake Maye442Syracuse
8T. J. Yates439[11] Florida State
9Mitch Trubisky432[12] 2016James Madison
10Darian Durant417Arizona State

Passing touchdowns

Career
192 2019 2020 2021
2Darian Durant682001 2002 2003 2004
3Bryn Renner642010 2011 2012 2013
4Drake Maye632021 2022 2023
5Marquise Williams612012 2013 2014 2015
6T. J. Yates582007 2008 2009 2010
7Mitch Trubisky41 2014 2015 2016
8Chris Keldorf351996 1997
9Matt Kupec331976 1977 1978 1979
10Scott Stankavage301980 1981 1982 1983
Single season
1 38 2019
38 2022
3 Sam Howell 30 2020
30 2016
5 28 2012
6 Bryn Renner 26 2011
7 24 2015
Sam Howell 24 2021
Drake Maye 24 2023
10 Chris Keldorf 23 1996
Single game
1Sam Howell6Wake Forest
2Kevin Anthony5Wake Forest
Darian Durant5Arizona State
Bryn Renner5[13] Louisville
Bryn Renner5[14] Maryland
Marquise Williams5[15] Old Dominion
Mitch Trubisky5Pittsburgh
Sam Howell 5[16] Virginia Tech
Sam Howell 5[17] Virginia
5[18] FAMU
Drake Maye5[19] Notre Dame
Drake Maye5Pittsburgh

Rushing

Rushing yards

Career
1Amos Lawrence4,3911977 1978 1979 1980
2Mike Voight3,9711973 1974 1975 1976
3Leon Johnson3,6931993 1994 1995 1996
4Omarion Hampton3,565 [20] 2022 2023 2024
5Michael Carter3,4032017 2018 2019 2020
6Kelvin Bryant3,2671979 1980 1981 1982
7Don McCauley3,1721968 1969 1970
8Ethan Horton3,0741981 1982 1983 1984
Natrone Means3,0741990 1991 1992
10Charlie Justice2,6341946 1947 1948 1949
Single season
1Don McCauley1,7201970
2Omarion Hampton1,660[21] 2024
3Omarion Hampton1,504[22] 2023
4Elijah Hood1,4632015
5Mike Voight1,4071976
6Giovani Bernard1,2532011
7Mike Voight1,2501975
Derrick Fenner1,2501986
9Ethan Horton1,2471984
10Michael Carter1,2452020
Single game
1Derrick Fenner328Virginia
2Michael Carter308Miami
3Kennard Martin291Duke
4Amos Lawrence286Virginia
5Don McCauley279Duke
6Giovani Bernard262[23] Virginia Tech
7Mike Voight261Duke
8Natrone Means256Duke
9Natrone Means249Maryland
10Kelvin Bryant247Duke

Rushing touchdowns

Career
1Leon Johnson431993 1994 1995 1996
2Mike Voight421973 1974 1975 1976
3Marquise Williams352012 2013 2014 2015
4Natrone Means341990 1991 1992
Omarion Hampton342022 2023 2024
6Kelvin Bryant321979 1980 1981 1982
7Javonte Williams292018 2019 2020
Don McCauley291968 1969 1970
Elijah Hood29[24] 2014 2015 2016
10Charlie Justice281946 1947 1948 1949
Amos Lawrence281977 1978 1979 1980
Single season
1Don McCauley191970
2Javonte Williams19 [25] 2020
3Mike Voight181976
4Kelvin Bryant171981
5Elijah Hood172015
615 2023
7Leon Johnson141993
8Ty Chandler 13 2021
Natrone Means131992
Giovani Bernard132011
Marquise Williams132014
Marquise Williams 132015
Single game
1Kelvin Bryant6East Carolina

Receiving

Receptions

Career
1Ryan Switzer244[26] 2013 2014 2015 2016
2Quinshad Davis2052012 2013 2014 2015
3Josh Downs2022020 2021 2022
4Dazz Newsome1882017 2018 2019 2020
5Hakeem Nicks1812006 2007 2008
6Jarwarski Pollock1772002 2003 2004 2005
7Erik Highsmith1662009 2010 2011 2012
8Na Brown1651995 1996 1997 1998
9Corey Holliday1551990 1991 1992 1993
10Dwight Jones1522008 2009 2010 2011
Single season
1Josh Downs1012021
2Ryan Switzer962016
3Josh Downs942022
4Dwight Jones852011
5Hakeem Nicks742007
6Dazz Newsome72[27] 2019
7Jarwarski Pollock712003
8Sam Aiken682002
Hakeem Nicks682008
10Greg Little622009
Dwight Jones622010
Eric Ebron622013
Single game
1Charlie Carr16Air Force
Quinshad Davis16[28] Virginia
Ryan Switzer16Pittsburgh
4Josh Downs15[29] Virginia
Nate McCollum15[30] Minnesota
6Ryan Switzer14[31] Florida State
7Ryan Switzer13[32] NC State
8Bud Phillips12Virginia
9Earl Winfield11LSU
Leon Johnson11Duke
Jarwarski Pollock11NC State
Brooks Foster11Rutgers
Dwight Jones11[33] Duke
Dyami Brown11Virginia
Josh Downs11[34] Miami (FL)
Josh Downs11[35] Pittsburgh
Josh Downs11[36] Wake Forest
Josh Downs11[37] Clemson
Devontez Walker11[38] Virginia

Receiving yards

Career
1Ryan Switzer2,9072013 2014 2015 2016
2Hakeem Nicks2,8402006 2007 2008
3Quinshad Davis2,6142012 2013 2014 2015
4Josh Downs2,4832020 2021 2022
5Corey Holliday2,4471990 1991 1992 1993
6Dazz Newsome2,4352017 2018 2019 2020
7Octavus Barnes2,3981994 1995 1996 1997
8Dyami Brown2,3062018 2019 2020
9Sam Aiken2,2051999 2000 2001 2002
10Dwight Jones2,163
Single season
1Josh Downs1,3352021
2Hakeem Nicks1,2222008
3Dwight Jones1,1962011
4Ryan Switzer1,1122016
51,099 2020
6Dyami Brown 1,034 2019
7Josh Downs 1,029 2022
8Dazz Newsome1,0182019
9Sam Aiken9902002
10Eric Ebron9732013
Single game
1Randy Marriott247Georgia Tech
2Dyami Brown240[39] Virginia
3Dwight Jones233Florida State
4Jheranie Boyd221[40] LSU
5Hakeem Nicks217[41] West Virginia
6Octavus Barnes211Ohio
7Ryan Switzer208Pittsburgh
8Josh Downs203Virginia
9Dyami Brown202[42] Virginia
10Eric Ebron199[43] Miami (FL)

Receiving touchdowns

Career
1Quinshad Davis252012 2013 2014 2015
2222020 2021 2022
3Hakeem Nicks212006 2007 2008
Dyami Brown212018 2019 2020
5Mack Hollins20[44] 2013 2014 2015 2016
6Octavus Barnes191994 1995 1996 1997
Ryan Switzer19 2013 2014 2015 2016
8Art Weiner181946 1947 1948 1949
Bug Howard18 2013 2014 2015 2016
Dazz Newsome182017 2018 2019 2020
Single season
1Hakeem Nicks122008
Dwight Jones122011
12[45] 2019
4112022
5Quinshad Davis102013
Dazz Newsome102019
7Marcus Wall91994
8Mike Chatham81979
Mark Smith81983
Earl Winfield81985
Sam Aiken82001
Mack Hollins82014
Mack Hollins82015
8 2016
Dyami Brown 8 2020
Josh Downs8 2021
Single game
1Chesley Borders4Arizona State

Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.[46]

Total offense yards

Career
1Sam Howell11,2922019 2020 2021
2Marquise Williams10,423 2012 2013 2014 2015
3Darian Durant9,630 2001 2002 2003 2004
4Drake Maye9,227 2021 2022 2023
5T. J. Yates9,044 2007 2008 2009 2010
6Bryn Renner8,128 2010 2011 2012 2013
7Ronald Curry6,236 1998 1999 2000 2001
8Jason Stanicek5,497 1991 1992 1993 1994
9Mitch Trubisky5,1912014 2015 2016
10Mike Thomas4,653 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Single season
1Drake Maye5,019[47] 2022
2Drake Maye4,057 2023
3Mitch Trubisky4,0562016
4Marquise Williams4,020 2015
5Sam Howell3,884 2021
6Marquise Williams3,856 2014
7Sam Howell3,7322020
8Sam Howell3,676 2019
9Bryn Renner3,394 2012
10T. J. Yates3,341 2010
Single game
1Sam Howell571Wake Forest
2Marquise Williams524Duke
3Drake Maye519[48] Wake Forest
4Drake Maye497Syracuse
5Jacolby Criswell480James Madison
6Marquise Williams469Old Dominion
7Marquise Williams463[49] Georgia Tech
8Mitch Trubisky458James Madison
9Sam Howell456[50] Georgia State
10Drake Maye450[51] Duke

Touchdowns responsible for

In official NCAA records, "touchdowns responsible for" includes rushing and passing touchdowns, but not receptions or returns—the same statistical categories used to measure total offense.[52]

Career
1Sam Howell109 2019 2020 2021
2Marquise Williams96 2012 2013 2014 2015
379 2001 2002 2003 2004
Drake Maye79 2021 2022 2023
5Bryn Renner68 2010 2011 2012 2013
6T. J. Yates65 2007 2008 2009 2010
7Charlie Justice53 1946 1947 1948 1949
8Mitch Trubisky492014 2015 2016
9Leon Johnson44 1993 1994 1995 1996
10Mike Voight42 1973 1974 1975 1976
Single season
1Drake Maye45 2022
239 2019
3Marquise Williams37 2015
4Sam Howell 35 2020
Mitch Trubisky352016
Sam Howell 35 2021
7Marquise Williams34 2014
8Drake Maye 33 2023
9Bryn Renner29 2012
10Bryn Renner 27 2011
Single game
1Sam Howell7Wake Forest
2Kelvin Bryant6East Carolina

All-purpose yardage

All-purpose yardage is the sum of all yards credited to a player who is in possession of the ball. It includes rushing, receiving, and returns, but does not include passing.[53]

North Carolina's media guide fully lists career and single-season leaders in all-purpose yards, but does not break down their performances by type of play. It only lists the single-game leader, but does fully break down his performance.

Career
1 5,828 1993 1994 1995 1996
2 5,014 1968 1969 1970
3 4,928 1977 1978 1979 1980
4 4,926 2013 2014 2015 2016
5 4,744 2005 2006 2007 2008
6 4,710 2017 2018 2019 2020
7 4,670 1946 1947 1948 1949
8 4,472 1973 1974 1975 1976
9 4,391 1988 1989 1990 1991
10 4,135 2013 2014 2015 2016
Single season
1 2,021 1970
2 1,981 2012
3 1,832 1996
4 1,770 1969
5 1,765 2007
6 Omarion Hampton1,7262023
7 1,647 1974
8 Giovani Bernard 1,615 2011
9 1,584 2016
10 1,557 1946
Single game
1 397McNeese State

Defense

Interceptions

Career
1Dré Bly201996 1997 1998
2Lou Angelo161970 1971 1972
3Tre Boston132010 2011 2012 2013
4Buddy Curry121976 1977 1978 1979
Bobby Cale121975 1976 1977 1978
Trimane Goddard122004 2005 2007 2008
Deunta Williams122007 2008 2009 2010
8Steve Streater111978 1979 1980
Single season
1Dré Bly111996
2Lou Angelo81972
3Junior Edge71961
Trimane Goddard72008
5Don Jackson61935
Dick Bunting61949
Walter Black61981
Larry Griffin61985
Derrick Donald61986
Deunta Williams62009
Single game
1Don Jackson4Tennessee

Tackles

Career
1not listed in media guide
Single season
1Buddy Curry1711979
2Dexter Reid1662002
3Troy Simmons1621984
Carl Carr1621985
Brett Rudolph1621985
6Dwight Hollier1591989
7Buddy Curry1551978
Dwight Hollier1551990
9Micah Moon1531984
10Darrell Nicholson1471979

Sacks

Career
1Greg Ellis32.51994 1995 1996 1997
2Julius Peppers30.51999 2000 2001
3Tomon Fox30[54] 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
4Quinton Coples24.02008 2009 2010 2011
Marcus Jones24.01992 1993 1994 1995
6Lawrence Taylor21.01978 1979 1980
7William Fuller20.01980 1981 1982 1983
8Kareem Martin19.52010 2011 2012 2013
9Hilee Taylor19.02004 2005 2006 2007
Single season
1Lawrence Taylor16.01980
2Julius Peppers15.02000
3Greg Ellis12.51996
4Kareem Martin11.52013
5Robert Quinn11.02009
6Hilee Taylor10.52007
7Quinton Coples10.02010
8Julius Peppers9.52001
9William Fuller9.01981
Greg Ellis9.01997
Tomon Fox9.02021
Single game
1Julius Peppers4.0Virginia
2Kareem Martin3.5[55] Pittsburgh
Beau Atkinson3.5[56] Florida State

Kicking

Field goals made

Career
1Casey Barth662008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2Connor Barth542004 2005 2006 2007
3Josh McGee521996 1997 1998 1999
4Clint Gwaltney431988 1989 1990 1991
5Nick Weiler40[57] 2013 2014 2015 2016
6Tripp Pignetti381991 1992 1993 1994
7Brooks Barwick371981 1982 1983
8Kenny Miller341984 1985 1986 1987
Tom Biddle341975 1976 1977
10Noah Burnette342022 2023
Single season
1Clint Gwaltney211990
Casey Barth212009
3Brooks Barwick201982
Nick Weiler202015
5Connor Barth192007
Casey Barth192010
Noah Ruggles19[58] 2019
Grayson Atkins192021
Noah Burnette19[59] 2023
10Josh McGee171999
Single game
1Josh McGee6Duke
Noah Burnette6Duke

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 North Carolina Tar Heels Media Guide. 2016-08-20. GoHeels.com.
  2. Web site: 2019 Carolina Football Media Guide . North Carolina Tar Heels . November 3, 2019.
  3. Web site: NCAA changes policy on football stats. 2002-08-28. 2016-08-20. ESPN.com. AP.
  4. Web site: Hinton . Matt . Ex-Tar Heel Hakeem Nicks guilty of academic fraud during final season at UNC . CBS Sports . 2012-07-20.
  5. Web site: Mitch Trubisky . 2017-01-14. ESPN.com.
  6. Web site: Sam Howell . ESPN.com . December 12, 2020.
  7. Web site: Wake Forest vs. North Carolina Box Score . November 14, 2020 . November 14, 2020 . ESPN.com .
  8. Web site: Williams, Tar Heels dominate rival Blue Devils 66-31 . 2015-11-07 . ESPN.com .
  9. Web site: North Carolina vs. James Madison Box Score . 2024-09-21 . ESPN.com .
  10. Web site: Trubisky, Tar Heels rally past Panthers 37-36 in ACC opener . 2016-09-24 . ESPN.com .
  11. Web site: UNC overcomes No. 24 Florida State despite bad punt . https://web.archive.org/web/20160910233208/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/303100052 . dead . September 10, 2016 . 2010-11-06 . ESPN.com .
  12. Web site: North Carolina wins home opener, beats James Madison 56-27 . 2016-09-17 . ESPN.com .
  13. Web site: Louisville blasts North Carolina early, holds on late to earn win . 2012-09-15 . ESPN.com .
  14. Web site: Bryn Renner tosses school-record 5 TDs, lifts North Carolina . 2012-11-24 . ESPN.com .
  15. Web site: Tar Heels score 80 points in rout of Old Dominion . 2013-11-23 . ESPN.com .
  16. Web site: North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech Box Score. October 19, 2019. October 19, 2019. ESPN.
  17. Web site: Virginia v. North Carolina Box Score. September 18, 2021. September 19, 2021. ESPN.
  18. Web site: Florida A&M vs. North Carolina Box Score. August 27, 2022. August 28, 2022. ESPN.
  19. Web site: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina Box Score. September 24, 2022. September 27, 2022. ESPN.com.
  20. Web site: Omarion Hampton. ESPN.com.
  21. Web site: Omarion Hampton. ESPN.com.
  22. Web site: Omarion Hampton. ESPN.com.
  23. Web site: Gio Bernard's career-best 262 rushing yards propel North Carolina . 2012-10-06 . ESPN.com .
  24. Web site: Elijah Hood. 2017-01-14. ESPN.com.
  25. Web site: Javonte Williams Stats.
  26. Web site: Ryan Switzer . 2017-01-14. ESPN.com.
  27. Web site: Dazz Newsome. ESPN.com.
  28. Web site: Bryn Renner, Quinshad Davis help Heels dash Cavs' bowl hopes . 2012-11-15 . ESPN.com .
  29. Web site: North Carolina vs. Virginia - Box Score. November 8, 2022. ESPN.com.
  30. Web site: North Carolina vs Minnesota -Box Score. September 17, 2023. ESPN.com.
  31. Web site: UNC snaps No. 12 Florida State's 22-game home win streak . 2016-10-01 . ESPN.com .
  32. Web site: Samuels, Dayes help NC State knock off Tar Heels 28-21 . 2016-11-25 . ESPN.com .
  33. Web site: North Carolina holds on to win 7th straight over Duke . https://web.archive.org/web/20160911015354/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/303310150 . dead . September 11, 2016 . 2010-11-27 . ESPN.com .
  34. Web site: Miami vs. North Carolina Box Score. ESPN.com. October 16, 2021. October 18, 2021.
  35. Web site: Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina Box Score. ESPN.com. October 29, 2022. November 14, 2022.
  36. Web site: North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Box Score. ESPN.com. November 12, 2022. November 14, 2022.
  37. Web site: Clemson vs. North Carolina Box Score. ESPN.com. December 3, 2022. December 12, 2022.
  38. Web site: Virginia vs. North Carolina Box Score. ESPN.com. October 21, 2023. October 23, 2023.
  39. Web site: North Carolina vs. Virginia Box Score. ESPN.com. October 31, 2020. October 31, 2020.
  40. Web site: No. 21 LSU holds off furious rally from short-handed UNC . https://web.archive.org/web/20160911003844/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/302470153 . dead . September 11, 2016 . 2010-09-04 . ESPN.com .
  41. Web site: White (332 yards) caps WVU career with fourth bowl victory . 2008-12-27 . ESPN.com .
  42. Web site: Virginia vs. North Carolina Box Score . November 2, 2019 . November 3, 2019 . ESPN.com .
  43. Web site: No. 10 Miami escapes UNC on late Dallas Crawford TD run . 2013-10-17 . ESPN.com .
  44. Web site: Mack Hollins . 2017-01-14. ESPN.com.
  45. Web site: Dyami Brown . ESPN.com.
  46. Web site: 2022 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 9 . November 14, 2022.
  47. Web site: Drake Maye Stats. ESPN. December 29, 2022.
  48. Web site: North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Box Score. November 12, 2022. ESPN.com.
  49. Web site: North Carolina edges Georgia Tech 48-43 . 2014-10-18 . ESPN.com .
  50. Web site: Georgia State vs. North Carolina. September 11, 2021. ESPN.com.
  51. Web site: North Carolina vs. Duke Box Score. October 15, 2022. October 27, 2022. ESPN.com.
  52. Web site: 2022 Football Bowl Subdivision Records . NCAA . 12 . November 14, 2022.
  53. Web site: Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Record Book. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2008-01-03. August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071201142013/http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book/2007/2007_d1_football_records_book.pdf . 2007-12-01.
  54. Web site: Tomon Fox. ESPN.com.
  55. Web site: North Carolina edges Pitt 34-27 behind Switzer . 2013-11-16 . ESPN.com .
  56. Web site: North Carolina vs. Florida State Box Score. November 2, 2024. November 3, 2024. ESPN.com.
  57. Web site: Nick Weiler . 2017-01-14. ESPN.com.
  58. Web site: Noah Ruggles. ESPN.com.
  59. Web site: Noah Burnette. ESPN.com.

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