5/22/2016 football Edit

No. 10: Dre' Bly

Dre' Bly set records from the moment he stepped onto the field during his brilliant Tar Heels career.

Andrew Jones • TarHeelIllustrated

Publisher

Andrew Jones has covered sports for 26 years, including all major college & professional sports for daily newspapers & national sites. He's done radio and TV & is entering his seventh year at THI.

No. 10

Name: Dre’ Bly

Position: CB

Jersey #: 31

Years: 1996-98

Honors: Two-time consensus All-America; 3-time, 1st-team All-America; ACC Rookie of the Year in 1996; Named to the 50-year 50 Greatest ACC Players Ever team.

Notable Stats: ACC-record 11 regular season interceptions in 1996; 20 career regular season interceptions; 22 career interceptions; 27 career pass breakups; 102 career combined tackles. Returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns. Returned 37 punts for 255 yards. Returned 5 kickoffs for 74 yards.

In Closing: One of the greatest defensive backs in ACC history, Bly made his impact felt immediately as a freshman setting an ACC record with 11 interceptions in the regular season, and he added two more in UNC’s Gator Bowl victory over West Virginia. Only 3-time 1st-team All-America in ACC history. First freshman in ACC history to earn 1t-team All-America honors.

The 1996 and 1997 Tar Heels finished ranked in the top-10 going a combined 21-3. Part of arguably the best defense in the nation in 1996 and 1997, UNC units loaded with future NFL players. But Bly stood out more than other eventual first-round draft picks, Bly had a flare for the dramatic, a unique and entertaining styles, and seemingly always made plays at crucial junctures in games, and you can still find his No. 31 jersey on the backs of many fans every Saturday at Kean Stadium.

Prior Ranked Heels

30 - Natrone Means

29 - Jack Merritt

28 - Landon Turner

27 - Chris Hanburger

26 - Jeff Saturday

25 - Bob Lacey

24 - Bracey Walker

23 - Ethan Horton

22 - Brian Blados

21 - Leon Johnson

20 - George Barclay