UNC’s versatile veteran nickeling the Tar Heels' secondary
In the 2025 season, Kaleb Cost emerged as one of North Carolina’s most reliable defensive backs, posting 45 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 1 interception, and 2 tackles for loss while spending most of his snaps at nickel. What makes him valuable is the blend: veteran experience, special-teams juice, and real positional flexibility at nickel, outside corner, and even safety. At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, he’s not just a stat line—he’s a tone-setter with nearly 1,400 career snaps and a reputation as one of UNC’s most experienced defenders. If you want a steady, physical, multi-use DB, he fits the bill.
