PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – University of North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky was selected second overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft Thursday evening. Trubisky, who attended the draft and was presented a Bears jersey by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, is the Tar Heels' highest draft pick since Julius Peppers was taken No. 2 in 2002.
Trubisky is the 24th first round NFL Draft pick in UNC history, the eighth since 2008, and the fourth under head coach Larry Fedora.
"It was an incredible moment when the commissioner went to the stage and called my name," said Trubisky. "I can't wait to get started. It means a lot to start my NFL career in Chicago. My favorite player growing up was Walter Payton. I'm looking forward to wearing that jersey. The city of Chicago is my home now."
The most accurate passer in UNC history, Trubisky played in more than 30 games and started 13 as a redshirt junior in 2016. He set more than 20 single-season school records, including total offense (4,056), passing yards (3,748) and passing touchdowns (30) while leading the Tar Heels to an 8-5 record and a berth in the Sun Bowl vs. Stanford.
"I'm thrilled for Mitch and his family," said Fedora, who attended the draft with Trubisky. "Chicago is getting a tremendous person who is obviously a talented quarterback. He's the total package. He did everything we ever asked of him and worked tremendously hard to put himself in this position. He'll work extremely hard in Chicago to become the best he can be."
Trubisky is the ninth player in UNC history taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Carolina's other top-10 draft picks are Ken Willard (No. 2 in 1965), Lawrence Taylor (No. 2 in 1981), Julius Peppers (No. 2 in 2002), Ken Huff (No. 3 in 1975), Ryan Sims (No. 6 in 2002), Jonathan Cooper (No. 7 in 2013), Greg Ellis (No. 8 in 1998) and Eric Ebron (No. 10 in 2014).
Last season, Trubisky completed 304 of 447 pass attempts with just six interceptions and threw at least three touchdowns in seven games. He was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Tar Heels to a 37-36 come-from-behind victory over Pitt. The following week, Trubisky completed 31 of 38 pass attempts for 405 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-35 win at No. 12 Florida State.
In addition to his on-the-field accomplishments, Trubisky was named to the Academic All-ACC Team in 2014.
A native of Mentor, Ohio, Trubisky elected to forego his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
UNC NFL DRAFT NOTES
• Mitch Trubisky became the first quarterback in UNC history selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The last time a Carolina quarterback was selected in the NFL Draft was T.J. Yates in 2011 (fifth round to the Houston Texans).
• Trubisky is the fifth North Carolina quarterback selected in the NFL Draft. The others were T.J. Yates in 2011 (fifth round, Houston), Ronald Curry in 2002 (seventh round, Oakland), Chris Kupec in 1975 (15th round, Buffalo), Danny Talbott in 1967 (17th round, San Francisco), Jeff Beaver in 1968 (15th round, Baltimore), Jack Cummings in 1960 (fourth round, Philadelphia).
• Trubisky is the ninth player in UNC history taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Carolina's other top 10 draft picks are Ken Willard (No. 2 in 1965), Lawrence Taylor (No. 2 in 1981), Julius Peppers (No. 2 in 2002), Ken Huff (No. 3 in 1975), Ryan Sims (No. 6 in 2002), Jonathan Cooper (No. 7 in 2013), Greg Ellis (No. 8 in 1998) and Eric Ebron (No. 10 in 2014).
• At No. 2, Trubisky matches the highest draft pick in UNC history (Julius Peppers No. 2 in 2002, Lawrence Taylor No. 2 in 1981 and Ken Willard No. 2 in 1965.
• Trubisky is the eighth first-round pick at UNC since 2008. Defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer was selected 29th overall by San Francisco in 2008. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was picked 29th overall by the New York Giants in 2009. Defensive end Robert Quinn was the 14th overall selection by the St. Louis Rams in 2011. Defensive end Quinton Coples was picked 16th overall by the New York Jets in 2012. Offensive guard Jonathan Cooper was the No. 7 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams was the 28th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2013 and tight end Eric Ebron was the No. 10 overall selection by the Detroit Lions in 2014.
• In Larry Fedora's five seasons at UNC, the Tar Heels have produced four first round picks – offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (seventh overall to Arizona in 2013), Sylvester Williams (28th overall to Denver in 2013), Eric Ebron (10th overall to Detroit in 2014) and Mitch Trubisky (second overall to Chicago in 2017).
• North Carolina has produced eight first-round draft picks since 2008. That is the third highest total of any ACC school. Florida State and Clemson rank first with nine. The only other in-state schools with a first-round draft pick since 2008 are Duke (1), Wake Forest (1) and ECU (1).
• Trubisky is the 24th overall first round NFL Draft pick in UNC history – and the eighth since 2008.
• Carolina's 24 all-time first-round draft picks is the most of any school in the state, ahead of NC State (15), Duke (6) and Wake Forest (5).
Most First-Round NFL Draft Picks in ACC Since 20089 - Clemson - 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 (3), 2016, 2017 (2)
9 - Florida State - 2010, 2011, 2013 (3), 2014, 2015 (2), 2016
8 - Carolina - 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 (2), 2014, 20176 - Louisville – 2009, 2014 (3), 2015, 2016
5 - Boston College - 2008 (2), 2009, 2011, 2012
5 - Miami – 2008, 2015 (2), 2016, 2017
4 - Notre Dame - 2012 (2), 2013, 2014
3 - Pittsburgh - 2008, 2011, 2014
3 - Virginia - 2008 (2), 2009
3 - Virginia Tech - 2008, 2012, 2014
2 - Georgia Tech - 2010 (2)
2 - Syracuse - 2012, 2013
2 - Wake Forest – 2009, 2015
1 - Duke - 2015
1 - Maryland - 2009
0 - NC State
Trubisky is the 24th first round NFL Draft pick in UNC history, the eighth since 2008, and the fourth under head coach Larry Fedora.
"It was an incredible moment when the commissioner went to the stage and called my name," said Trubisky. "I can't wait to get started. It means a lot to start my NFL career in Chicago. My favorite player growing up was Walter Payton. I'm looking forward to wearing that jersey. The city of Chicago is my home now."
The most accurate passer in UNC history, Trubisky played in more than 30 games and started 13 as a redshirt junior in 2016. He set more than 20 single-season school records, including total offense (4,056), passing yards (3,748) and passing touchdowns (30) while leading the Tar Heels to an 8-5 record and a berth in the Sun Bowl vs. Stanford.
"I'm thrilled for Mitch and his family," said Fedora, who attended the draft with Trubisky. "Chicago is getting a tremendous person who is obviously a talented quarterback. He's the total package. He did everything we ever asked of him and worked tremendously hard to put himself in this position. He'll work extremely hard in Chicago to become the best he can be."
Trubisky is the ninth player in UNC history taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Carolina's other top-10 draft picks are Ken Willard (No. 2 in 1965), Lawrence Taylor (No. 2 in 1981), Julius Peppers (No. 2 in 2002), Ken Huff (No. 3 in 1975), Ryan Sims (No. 6 in 2002), Jonathan Cooper (No. 7 in 2013), Greg Ellis (No. 8 in 1998) and Eric Ebron (No. 10 in 2014).
Last season, Trubisky completed 304 of 447 pass attempts with just six interceptions and threw at least three touchdowns in seven games. He was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Tar Heels to a 37-36 come-from-behind victory over Pitt. The following week, Trubisky completed 31 of 38 pass attempts for 405 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-35 win at No. 12 Florida State.
In addition to his on-the-field accomplishments, Trubisky was named to the Academic All-ACC Team in 2014.
A native of Mentor, Ohio, Trubisky elected to forego his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
UNC NFL DRAFT NOTES
• Mitch Trubisky became the first quarterback in UNC history selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The last time a Carolina quarterback was selected in the NFL Draft was T.J. Yates in 2011 (fifth round to the Houston Texans).
• Trubisky is the fifth North Carolina quarterback selected in the NFL Draft. The others were T.J. Yates in 2011 (fifth round, Houston), Ronald Curry in 2002 (seventh round, Oakland), Chris Kupec in 1975 (15th round, Buffalo), Danny Talbott in 1967 (17th round, San Francisco), Jeff Beaver in 1968 (15th round, Baltimore), Jack Cummings in 1960 (fourth round, Philadelphia).
• Trubisky is the ninth player in UNC history taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Carolina's other top 10 draft picks are Ken Willard (No. 2 in 1965), Lawrence Taylor (No. 2 in 1981), Julius Peppers (No. 2 in 2002), Ken Huff (No. 3 in 1975), Ryan Sims (No. 6 in 2002), Jonathan Cooper (No. 7 in 2013), Greg Ellis (No. 8 in 1998) and Eric Ebron (No. 10 in 2014).
• At No. 2, Trubisky matches the highest draft pick in UNC history (Julius Peppers No. 2 in 2002, Lawrence Taylor No. 2 in 1981 and Ken Willard No. 2 in 1965.
• Trubisky is the eighth first-round pick at UNC since 2008. Defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer was selected 29th overall by San Francisco in 2008. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was picked 29th overall by the New York Giants in 2009. Defensive end Robert Quinn was the 14th overall selection by the St. Louis Rams in 2011. Defensive end Quinton Coples was picked 16th overall by the New York Jets in 2012. Offensive guard Jonathan Cooper was the No. 7 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, defensive tackle Sylvester Williams was the 28th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2013 and tight end Eric Ebron was the No. 10 overall selection by the Detroit Lions in 2014.
• In Larry Fedora's five seasons at UNC, the Tar Heels have produced four first round picks – offensive guard Jonathan Cooper (seventh overall to Arizona in 2013), Sylvester Williams (28th overall to Denver in 2013), Eric Ebron (10th overall to Detroit in 2014) and Mitch Trubisky (second overall to Chicago in 2017).
• North Carolina has produced eight first-round draft picks since 2008. That is the third highest total of any ACC school. Florida State and Clemson rank first with nine. The only other in-state schools with a first-round draft pick since 2008 are Duke (1), Wake Forest (1) and ECU (1).
• Trubisky is the 24th overall first round NFL Draft pick in UNC history – and the eighth since 2008.
• Carolina's 24 all-time first-round draft picks is the most of any school in the state, ahead of NC State (15), Duke (6) and Wake Forest (5).
Most First-Round NFL Draft Picks in ACC Since 20089 - Clemson - 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 (3), 2016, 2017 (2)
9 - Florida State - 2010, 2011, 2013 (3), 2014, 2015 (2), 2016
8 - Carolina - 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 (2), 2014, 20176 - Louisville – 2009, 2014 (3), 2015, 2016
5 - Boston College - 2008 (2), 2009, 2011, 2012
5 - Miami – 2008, 2015 (2), 2016, 2017
4 - Notre Dame - 2012 (2), 2013, 2014
3 - Pittsburgh - 2008, 2011, 2014
3 - Virginia - 2008 (2), 2009
3 - Virginia Tech - 2008, 2012, 2014
2 - Georgia Tech - 2010 (2)
2 - Syracuse - 2012, 2013
2 - Wake Forest – 2009, 2015
1 - Duke - 2015
1 - Maryland - 2009
0 - NC State
