Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina Tar Heels, DL - News, Stats, Bio

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Team	Conf	Overall
SMU	8-0	11-3
CLEM	7-1	10-4
MIAMI	6-2	10-3
CUSE	5-3	10-3
LVILLE	5-3	9-4
GATECH	5-3	7-6
DUKE	5-3	9-4
VATECH	4-4	6-7
BC	4-4	7-6
NCST	3-5	6-7
PITT	3-5	7-6
UVA	3-5	5-7
UNC	3-5	6-7
CAL	2-6	6-7
WAKE	2-6	4-8
STNFRD	2-6	3-9
FSU	1-7	2-10

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Draft Scouting Report

Rating: 74.60 (Roster depth)

Pro Comparison: Ola Adeniyi

Summary

Kaimon Rucker is a compact, high-motor edge rusher with a stout frame and enough length to compete. While not an elite burst athlete, he wins with heavy hands, strong speed-to-power conversion and relentless effort. His pass-rush arsenal is varied but unrefined, featuring an inside crossover move and a powerful bull rush. He flashes some cornering ability but isn’t a true bend-and-dip rusher.

Against the run, Rucker is physical and disciplined, taking a blue-collar approach to setting the edge. He was occasionally used in a linebacker-like role, showing decent range but lacking the lateral mobility to excel in space. He can get stuck on blocks without a reliable counter move but compensates with a low center of gravity and sheer tenacity.

Though he lacks prototypical size and athletic traits, Rucker’s polish, toughness and effort give him a high floor as a rotational EDGE with the potential to carve out a steady role in an NFL defense.

About

2023: Second-team All-ACC (led team in tackles for loss (15.0), QB pressures (12) and sacks (8.5))
2024 (vs. Virginia): Eight tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and an interception

Strengths

High-motor edge rusher with heavy hands and a strong speed-to-power conversion
Physical and disciplined against the run, with a rugged, blue-collar approach to edge setting
Varied pass-rush arsenal and active hands

Weaknesses