UNC's Hickman-Collins Named ACC Linebacker of Week
The redshirt sophomore's pick-six and fumble recovery helped UNC defeat UConn 38-21.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Football
UNC linebacker Timir Hickman-Collins was named ACC Linebacker of the Week after intercepting a UConn pass on fourth down and returning it 62 yards for a touchdown. The Tar Heels won 38-21.
Why it matters
The honor marks the third different UNC linebacker to earn the award this season, following Derek McDonald and Peyton Seelmann. Hickman-Collins's interception was UNC's first pick-six since 2024.
Hickman-Collins played 15 total snaps, recorded three tackles, and allowed zero receptions on two targets in the win over UConn. Pro Football Focus graded his performance at 93.7 for the game.
The players
Timir Hickman-Collins
A redshirt sophomore linebacker from Fort Mill, S.C., Hickman-Collins earned the honor for his interception and fumble recovery against UConn.
Derek McDonald
A UNC linebacker who has been named ACC Linebacker of the Week twice this season.
Peyton Seelmann
A UNC linebacker who has also earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors this season.
The details
Hickman-Collins intercepted a UConn pass on fourth down and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown. Later in the first half, he forced and recovered a fumble that set up a UNC touchdown, becoming the first Tar Heel since Cedric Gray in 2023 to recover a fumble and intercept a pass in the same game.
Timeline
Saturday: UNC defeated UConn 38-21 in the game where Hickman-Collins made his key plays.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026: UNC hosts Louisville at 7 p.m.
Season Trajectory
Hickman-Collins's performance adds to a run of UNC linebackers earning conference recognition this season, with three different players now honored. His pick-six also marks UNC's first defensive touchdown of that kind since 2024, adding a notable dimension to the team's defensive identity.
Hickman-Collins's award and the three-linebacker recognition this season signal depth at a position that fantasy managers and bettors may track closely. The Louisville matchup on Nov. 14 gives the group its next chance to build on the UConn performance.
The takeaway
Consistent defensive playmaking from multiple linebackers can shape a team's late-season trajectory, and UNC's depth at the position is becoming a visible strength. Readers following the Tar Heels should watch how that group performs against Louisville.
What happens next
UNC hosts Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage from Chapel Hill.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chapelboro.
