Top 20 UNC Football Teams: No. 3 - 1981

Posted May 16, 2020
Sitting at 6-0 and ranked No. 3 in the nation in 1981, the Tar Heels hosted a solid South Carolina team at Kenan Stadium. North Carolina started the season on fire, routing nonconference foes while racking up huge numbers, including by tailback Kelvin Bryant, who was on his way to serious Heisman Trophy contention when he went down with a knee injury. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Three storylines to watch as Bill Belichick, UNC Football hit ACC Kickoff
Bill Belichick, Jordan Shipp, Melkart Abou Jaoude, and Christo Kelly will make the media rounds at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown on Wednesday as the ACC...
Fri Jul 17, 2026

Bryn Renner sees growth ahead for UNC Football after tough 2025
Bryn Renner has seen UNC Football from every angle: as a star quarterback, an assistant coach and now as a sideline reporter for the Tar...
Thu Jul 16, 2026

Video: IC Podcast - UNC Football Wide Receiver Superlatives
Football analyst Jason Staples joins Inside Carolina's Tommy Ashley to discuss UNC's wide receivers and superlatives of the position group, including the Alpha, the Breakout,...
Thu Jul 16, 2026

2026 UNC Football Breakdown: DE Melkart Abou-Jaoude
With North Carolina Football's 2026 season approaching, edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude is poised to be one of the Tar Heels’ top playmakers. The ACC’s reigning...
Thu Jul 16, 2026