100 in 100: Gates County’s Thomas Smith, one of UNC’s original Rude Boys

Posted May 7, 2020
In 1989, Thomas Smith showed up at UNC as a walk-on after starring at tiny Gates County High School. The cornerback quickly earned a starting spot, and — as a leader in a secondary that became known as “The Rude Boys” — he played a major role in helping Mack Brown transform the Tar Heels from a 1-10 record to a nine-win bowl team three years later. (North State Journal)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Belichick says team has addressed driving, other off-field issues around behavior
UNC has addressed its players’ driving and other off-the-field issues, even bringing in outside speakers, football coach Bill Belichick said, after a WRAL Investigates report...
Wed Nov 19, 2025

Victory Bell At Stake In Will Hardy's Kenan Stadium Finale
Saturday’s game gives safety Will Hardy and the UNC Football team a chance to reclaim the Victory Bell from Duke. "My first three years here,...
Wed Nov 19, 2025

Bill Belichick sees NFL-level challenge in Duke QB Darian Mensah
Bill Belichick didn’t hesitate to identify the biggest challenge UNC faces against Duke: quarterback Darian Mensah, who reportedly is the highest-paid quarterback in the country...
Wed Nov 19, 2025

Video: Bill Belichick Wednesday Pre-Duke Press Conference
North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick speaks with the media on Wednesday ahead of the Tar Heels' matchup against the Duke Blue Devils on...
Wed Nov 19, 2025