The Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome in another former Tar Heel this Summer.

On Thursday, former North Carolina standout Julius Peppers was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024, joining the five-man class in his first year of eligibility. Peppers became the third Tar Heel to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining greats Chris Hanburger and  Lawrence Taylor.

After a successful career with the Tar Heels, Peppers went on to be selected No. 2 overall in the 2002 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. He spent eight seasons in Carolina helping lead them to a Super Bowl appearance.

He then signed a deal in free agency with the Chicago Bears before finishing his career with Green Bay and then Carolina again. Peppers racked up 159.5 sacks, 52 forced fumbles, 11 interceptions, and 175 tackles for loss in his career in the NFL.

He made First Team All-Pro four times, was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, won the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and was named to the All-Decade Team for the 2000’s and 2010’s.

Peppers is joined by Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Steve McMichael, Randy Gradishar, Patrick Willis, and Dwight Freeney.

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Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire