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

Chansky’s Notebook: Senior Day Drama
Neither Gio Lopez nor Darian Mensah are seniors, but the quarterbacks are likely to determine the outcome of Saturday’s Carolina-Duke renewal in Kenan Stadium. The...
Fri Nov 21, 2025

Video: The Game Plan Podcast - UNC vs. Duke
Greg Barnes, Jason Staples, and Tommy Ashley of Inside Carolina discuss the game plan for UNC Football as the Duke Blue Devils come to Kenan...
Fri Nov 21, 2025

Carolina Insider Podcast: UNC Football hosts Duke, Basketball recap, Dan Shulman, Dr. Wesley Burks
Jones Angell and Adam Lucas preview UNC Football's matchup with Duke (7:04). Tar Heel Basketball took care of Navy and now heads to Florida for...
Fri Nov 21, 2025

Bill Belichick Ready for the 'Event' that is Duke-Carolina
It's rivalry week and UNC Football hosts the Blue Devils on Saturday for a 3:30 pm kickoff (ACC Network), and while a game like this...
Fri Nov 21, 2025