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

After Heartbreaking Loss, UNC Football Attempting to Reset for NC State
After its loss to Duke last Saturday, UNC Football goes from one rivalry to another with a visit to NC State this weekend. Raleigh’s Carter-Finley...
Mon Nov 24, 2025

Drake Maye passes for career-high 294 yards, extends Patriots' win streak to nine
Drake Maye said his game Sunday was about battling back from adversity. He threw for a career-high 294 yards and a touchdown in New England’s...
Mon Nov 24, 2025

Carolina Insider Podcast: UNC vs. Duke recap, Fort Myers Tip-Off preview, Adrian Wojnarowski joins
UNC Football made too mistakes against Duke on Saturday and lost because of it. Former Tar Heel receiver Joe Jauch breaks it down (3:25). Carolina...
Mon Nov 24, 2025

Art’s Angle: Another Classic
To paraphrase Taylor Swift: love is a game, and it ends when it ends. Saturday’s game ended with consequences in the Carolina-Duke football series that...
Mon Nov 24, 2025