DerekMcDonald
LBLB#15UNC Tar Heels
6'4" • 240lbs • GDraft Eligibility:2027
- Overall Grade '26
- 69.7
- 333rd/758 - LBs
- Snap Count '26
- 531
- 46th/2022 - LBs
- Tackles '26
- 60
- 15th/758 - LBs
- WK 10 MATCHUP
- @ UCONNH 11/7, 5:00 PM
Derek
McDonald
LB
#15
|
UNC Tar Heels
Summary Bio
Summary Bio
Last updated: 11/2/2026
Derek McDonald is a linebacker for the North Carolina Tar Heels who earned a 69.7 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2026 season, 333rd among 758 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 67.6 ranked 231st among 758 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 69.5 ranked 457th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 62.9 ranked 390th among qualified linebackers.
He recorded 60 solo tackles on the season. McDonald generated 3 total pressures including 0 sacks as a blitzer. He allowed a 95.7 passer rating when targeted in coverage. He was charged with 6 missed tackles over the course of the year.
Career
Career
Teams
Year
North Carolina Tar Heels
2025 - Present
Syracuse Orange
2021 - 2025
PFF Grades
PFF Grades
2026
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
OVERALL GRADE
69.7
AVG
333rd/758 LBs
RUN DEFENSE GRADE
69.5
AVG
457th/758 LBs
PASS RUSH GRADE
62.9
AVG
390th/758 LBs
COVERAGE GRADE
67.6
AVG
231st/758 LBs
Highest Graded Games
Highest Graded Games
vs NYSY
77.3
Week 8, 2026
vs INND
70.1
Week 5, 2026
@ SCCL
68.4
Week 3, 2026
Lowest Graded Games
Lowest Graded Games
@ TNUN
41.6
Week 1, 2025
@ TNUN
41.6
Week 1, 2025
@ NCDU
57
Week 7, 2026
Grades by Game
Grades by Game
There's no Grades by Game data available for this player.
Season Stats
Season Stats
2026
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
SOLO TACKLES
60
15th/758 LBs
SACKS
0
467th/758 LBs
ASSISTS
30
5th/758 LBs
FORCED FUMBLES
1
49th/758 LBs
Defense
View in Premium Stats
Rank
15
th
Solo Tackles
60
5
th
Assists
30
49
th
Forced Fumbles
1
184
th
Stops
24
467
th
Sacks
0
327
th
Missed Tackles
6
330
th
Passer Rating Allowed
95.7
570
th
Total Pressures
3
Rank
46
th
Total Snaps
531
39
th
Run Defense Snaps
255
450
th
Pass Rush Snaps
28
46
th
Coverage Snaps
248
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