After collecting a career-high 16 tackles in UNC’s 31-30 overtime loss to Syracuse Saturday, Derek McDonald was named the ACC’s Linebacker of the Week.
Derek McDonald is your ACC linebacker of the week! pic.twitter.com/1rZ8ke2Msa
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 26, 2026
Of McDonald’s 16 total tackles, 11 came after halftime, including a three-yard tackle for loss in the overtime period. A Syracuse transfer, McDonald played 81 of UNC’s 89 defensive snaps and earned an 82.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, his highest of the season.
Currently, McDonald leads all ACC players and ranks sixth nationally with 72 total tackles. He is the only ACC player to average more than 10 tackles per game. Right behind McDonald is teammate Peyton Seelmann with 64 total tackles. Seelmann, another transfer, was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week last week following UNC’s win at Duke.
This is the second time this season McDonald has been named ACC Linebacker of the Week. He also took home the honor after UNC’s win against TCU in the season opener in August.
McDonald, Seelmann and the rest of the Tar Heels will be back in action Saturday when they host No. 1 Miami at Kenan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications
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