University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
November 9, 2026 | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina's Timir Hickman-Collins has been named ACC Linebacker of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday.
The honor marks the fourth time a Carolina linebacker has earned the weekly award this season, joining Derek McDonald (twice) and Peyton Seelmann.
Hickman-Collins put together the best game of his collegiate career on Saturday to lift the Tar Heels to a 38-21 victory at UConn. He recorded his first career interception and returned it for a touchdown, becoming the first Carolina player with a pick six since Power Echols accomplished the feat in November 2024. He reeled in the deflected pass and raced 62 yards down the sideline for his first career touchdown.Â
The Fort Mill, South Carolina, native logged his second turnover in the game in the second quarter when he ripped the football out of the quarterback's hand before he was ruled down to get credit for the forced fumble and the fumble recovery.Â
Hickman-Collins became the first Tar Heel to recover a fumble and intercept a pass in the same game since Cedric Gray versus Miami in 2023.Â
He graded out at 93.7 in the game, according to Pro Football Focus, headlined by a 90.3 coverage grade.
The Tar Heels play Louisville at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in Kenan Stadium on ESPN2.
The honor marks the fourth time a Carolina linebacker has earned the weekly award this season, joining Derek McDonald (twice) and Peyton Seelmann.
Hickman-Collins put together the best game of his collegiate career on Saturday to lift the Tar Heels to a 38-21 victory at UConn. He recorded his first career interception and returned it for a touchdown, becoming the first Carolina player with a pick six since Power Echols accomplished the feat in November 2024. He reeled in the deflected pass and raced 62 yards down the sideline for his first career touchdown.Â
The Fort Mill, South Carolina, native logged his second turnover in the game in the second quarter when he ripped the football out of the quarterback's hand before he was ruled down to get credit for the forced fumble and the fumble recovery.Â
Hickman-Collins became the first Tar Heel to recover a fumble and intercept a pass in the same game since Cedric Gray versus Miami in 2023.Â
He graded out at 93.7 in the game, according to Pro Football Focus, headlined by a 90.3 coverage grade.
The Tar Heels play Louisville at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in Kenan Stadium on ESPN2.
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