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

Marcus Allen, Thaddeus Dixon Invited To 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
UNC defensive backs Marcus Allen and Thaddeus Dixon have been invited to participate in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, taking place Feb. 23 - Mar...
Thu Feb 12, 2026

Drake Maye had injection for shoulder before Super Bowl
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said he received a pain-killing injection for his injured right throwing shoulder before the team's 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks...
Wed Feb 11, 2026

Chansky’s Notebook: One Chapter Short
A decade ago, as a 14-year-old growing up in Charlotte, Drake Maye attended Super Bowl 50, held in the San Francisco area, as a spectator...
Mon Feb 9, 2026

Newsletter: Trimble's Triple, Banghart's Big Win, Surratt's Super Sunday, Remembering James Spurling
What a week in UNC sports! Seth Trimble became a legend, Women’s Basketball beat State in their house, Chazz Surratt won a Super Bowl, two...
Mon Feb 9, 2026