UNC Football: 2018 Preseason Awards

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 25: Anthony Ratliff-Williams #17 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stiff-arms Johnathan Alston #5 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter Finley Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 28: Aaron Crawford #92 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after recovering a fumble against the Miami Hurricanes during their game at Kenan Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Miami won 24-19. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year

Winner: Aaron Crawford

This award came down to two players, defensive tackle Aaron Crawford and defensive end Malik Carney. However, Carney was one of the 13 players suspended earlier this summer and will miss four games this season.

However, this is not to say Crawford is not deserving of the award as he has become a key figure in the middle of this defense. The redshirt junior has played in 24 games the past two seasons and while his tackles dropped (42 in 2016 to 29 in 2017) his sack total jumped from 1.0 to 3.0 last season.

The pressure will be on Crawford to lead this group with two key pass rushers missing a good portion of the season as Tomon Fox, along with Carney, is suspended for four games. Expect the defensive tackle to have a big year for the Tar Heels.

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