Melkart Abou Jaoude to return for Bill Belichick, UNC football in 2026 season
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Melkart Abou Jaoude will be back for UNC football in the 2026 season, the Tar Heels announced Tuesday, Jan. 6, via social media.
Abou Jaoude, UNC’s top pass rusher and arguably its top defender, has re-signed with Bill Belichick’s program for a second season. An All-ACC performer in his debut year as a Delaware transfer, Abou Jaoude led the ACC with 10 ½ sacks, which ranked fifth nationally.
According to Pro Football Focus data, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound redshirt junior played the most snaps (646) among ACC defensive linemen. He started all 12 games, logging 47 tackles to finish fourth among the Tar Heels’ defenders.
In addition to Abou Jaoude, four other players from the 2025 season have re-signed with the Tar Heels. That group includes three defenders in defensive lineman Leroy Jackson, along with defensive backs Kaleb Cost and Jaiden Patterson.
As of Jan. 6, the Tar Heels have added eight players via the transfer portal, including defensive linemen Jaylen Harvey (Penn State) and Tarvoise Brown (Florida).
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Bill Belichick, UNC football re-sign Melkart Abou Jaoude
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