Junior Gnonkonde’s journey from Africa to UNC includes storybook moment at Georgia Tech

Posted Oct 5, 2015
Junior Gnonkonde, a junior defensive end at UNC, had grown up in Abidjan, the largest city in the African nation of Ivory Coast. He left home when he was 14 and wound up in Lakeland, in rural south Georgia. He arrived without knowledge of English and knew nothing about football. Yet there he was Saturday, in UNC’s victory at Georgia Tech, picking up a fumble while about 25 people from his U.S. hometown went wild. (Charlotte Observer)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Tight End Jelani Thurman Announces His Arrival as Featured UNC Weapon
On the first play of UNC Football's 2026 season, Billy Edwards Jr. faked a draw handoff to Benjamin Hall and looked to his right. There...
Sat Aug 29, 2026

Video: Carolina Insider - UNC vs. TCU Postgame Reactions
Jones Angell from the Tar Heel Sports Network and Adam Lucas of GoHeels.com share their postgame reactions following UNC Football's 15-10 season-opening victory against TCU...
Sat Aug 29, 2026

Good, Bad, and Ugly Report: UNC vs. TCU
Well, that was somewhat unexpected. To be fair, TCU certainly helped out UNC. The Frogs were as sloppy as the rainy Irish Saturday, with a...
Sat Aug 29, 2026

Video: Bill Belichick and TCU Football Coach Sonny Dykes Postgame Press Conferences
North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick and TCU coach Sonny Dykes speak with the media following the Tar Heels' 15-10 season opening victory over...
Sat Aug 29, 2026