Sam Smiley fighting for starting job

Posted Aug 16, 2012
UNC redshirt freshman Sam Smiley is in the midst of a heated position battle with fellow redshirt freshman Darien Rankin this summer for UNC's open starting job at the free safety position. And while Rankin appeared to hold the upper hand through the first week of camp, Smiley came out of the first scrimmage this past Saturday as the No. 1, and has been running with the starters all of this week. (Tar Heel Illustrated)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Newsletter: Henri Veesaar to NBA Draft, 3 UNC Basketball Commitments, New Transfer Portal Targets
Henri Veesaar declared for the NBA Draft as UNC Basketball landed three transfer portal commitments. Carolina Football hosted recruits and signed four players to NFL...
Mon Apr 27, 2026

UNC alumni, HBCU coaches join Chicago State football start-up
Chicago State football will have a lot of HBCU and UNC flavor on its inaugural football coaching staff. Head coach Bobby Rome, a former UNC...
Sun Apr 26, 2026

Four Tar Heels Signed As Undrafted NFL Free Agents
For the first time since 2016, no UNC football players were drafted following the program's debut season under Bill Belichick. But four Tar Heels found...
Sun Apr 26, 2026

Bill Belichick’s UNC program had no players drafted
Last year, UNC Football G.M. Mike Lombardi proclaimed the Tar Heels as the NFL’s 33rd franchise. The other 32 teams had no interest in any...
Sun Apr 26, 2026