By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — The tradition of swagger and toughness in the defensive backfield runs deep at Carolina.
This year, the Tar Heels’ secondary is leaning into that legacy, proudly adopting the nickname “Rude Boys,” a moniker that dates back to the 1990s when UNC’s defense ranked among the nation’s best.
For Washington transfer defensive back Thaddeus Dixon, stepping into that tradition has been both an honor and a challenge after hearing from players who built that reputation nearly three decades ago.
“They just wanted to make sure the culture was right in the defensive back room,” said Dixon, a junior who collected 46 tackles, 17 assists and two interceptions in his two seasons with the Huskies. “Just emphasizing to us what they want to see out of us this year — how we should play, how we should attack, practice and carry ourselves as leaders.”
The original Rude Boys were part of dominant late 1990s defenses, a nickname that Dré Bly bestowed on the group. Bly snagged 20 interceptions in his three-year career at UNC, including 11 as a freshman.
Led by Reggie Love Sr., who played for the Tar Heels in the 1990s, they made sure the secondary on this year’s team knew the expected standard.
“He was playing the main point guard role in all of this. But we talked to a lot of the dudes from back in the day,” Dixon said of Love.
For Dixon, hearing from those former players was a moment that carried weight.
“It was an honor, honestly, that they’re still tuned in and they’re still passionate about the game, passionate about what’s going on in the locker room and out at practice,” he said. “It was an honor for me to be the new guy coming in, and for everybody to be so warm, welcoming, and talking to me.”
That kind of connection brings expectations, and Dixon admits he feels it — but in the best way.
“Yeah, it’s a little pressure,” Dixon said. “Obviously you want to live up to their standards,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, it’s just football. We’ve just got to keep playing football. It’s the same game we grew up playing.”
When Dixon transferred to UNC in January, he walked into a program in transition. A new culture was taking root, and he says he’s seen it evolve rapidly since spring practice.
“It’s been special; we’re building something real special, and you guys will be able to find out on Monday,” he said.
While some players get caught up in offseason buzz, Dixon is laser-focused on what happens when the lights come on.
Dixon’s segment of the press conference starts at 13:17.
“Obviously, it’s a lot of hype going on, but I haven’t really felt it too much,” said Dixon, who had a tackle and an assist for Washington against Michigan in the national championship game after the 2023 season. “I’m not really too big on offseason hype. I’m more in-season production. I’m really just waiting until Monday to show what we can do.”
In Monday’s 8 p.m. opener (ESPN), the Tar Heels welcome a high-tempo opponent in TCU, and Dixon says the defense has to meet that with intensity.
“They run a lot of plays on offense, like hitting out on the perimeter and stuff like that,” Dixon said. “But, honestly, if everybody’s playing hard, running to the ball, being relentless, I feel like we’ll be pretty successful.”
He says that although he has the same defensive coordinator as last season in Washington with Steve Belichick, the system is pretty different. As for comfort in a new system, Dixon says it’s not about X’s and O’s but about trust with “Coach Steve,” which he says has helped him grow as a person.
“He’s always there for me [with] everything I do,” Dixon said. “Just being comfortable him as a person and him being comfortable with me as a person allows me to play football free. So, it’s really just our relationship off the field that makes on the field playing easy.”
For Dixon, the mission is clear: carry on the Rude Boys legacy, honor the standard, and make sure UNC’s secondary plays with the same edge that made the name famous.
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