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

Frustration Boils Over After UNC Football's Loss to Louisville
After Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz took the final knee to complete the Cardinals’ 16-14 victory over North Carolina, a postgame scuffle broke out between the...
Sun Nov 15, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - Blown Chances Sink UNC Football vs. Louisville
Buck Sanders, Jason Staples, and Tommy Ashley from Inside Carolina break down UNC Football's 16-14 loss to Louisville in Kenan Stadium on Saturday night. The...
Sun Nov 15, 2026

UNC Football Offensive and Defensive Snap Counts vs. Louisville
Snap counts provide a closer look at how UNC distributed playing time, particularly following an injury to starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. that forced Travis...
Sun Nov 15, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Heartbreak For UNC Football vs. Louisville
UNC Football falls to Louisville 16-14 in a frustrating loss filled with missed opportunities. The Tar Heels had multiple chances deep in Louisville territory but...
Sun Nov 15, 2026