How Tyler Thompson Is Quietly Powering UNC's Defense

• “Yeah, he's worked really hard, you know, going all the way back to the spring," said Belichick. "I mean, he's one of the players that was a carryover from previous team and has stayed with us, you know, all the way through which, again, it's like, well, less than half the team, so I just point that out. But yeah, he's really worked hard on us on his pass rush. He's gotten a lot stronger."

• "I mean, he was, I think, about maybe 15 to 20 pounds lighter than he is now, and that's all really good weight. He's explosive, he's strong, and his fundamentals and techniques rushing the passer have been something he's refined and worked on and, you know, working in coordination with, you know, the defensive lineman for pass rush games and stuff like that."

• "So, you know, he's our guide block in practice. I could just tell you like this, some of the things you see in the games are similar to what we see in practice. He's good at speed, he has power, he's long, he's pretty athletic.”

Thompson has been a key piece in UNC's ability to slow opposing offenses — and a big reason there is variety in defensive coordinator Steve Belichick's scheme.

The Defensive Difference Maker

Thompson, the redshirt freshman, who attended Panther Creek High School, is up to 15 total tackles, 11 solo tackles and four sacks. And the last three-game stretch of the year will need the Cary, North Carolina, native to perform with the same energy and effort — alongside the rest of the defensive unit.

If it were not for the defense, the Tar Heels would not be showing a 4-5 record, as it has been everything this team has been riding on through Belichick's first go-around at the college ranks.