CHAPEL HILL — A simple question in New Jersey paved the path toward Chapel Hill for Melkart Abou-Jaoude .

“ Why are you making bagels?”

As reported by The Delaware News Journal in 2024 , Abou-Jaoude — which is pronounced Aboo-JOW-day — was recruited by Delaware out of a bagel shop near Newton, New Jersey.

“Just trying to make some money” as a senior at Newton High School, college football wasn’t really on Abou-Jaoude’s radar.

“At that point, I was either thinking about going JUCO or just working and getting a job,” he said Sept. 16 inside the Kenan Football Center.

Starting his career with the Blue Hens as a walk-on, Abou-Jaoude soon developed into a dependable defender for two seasons before becoming the first defensive player in the transfer portal to commit to Bill Belichick and UN

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