UNC commit will fulfill dream

Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley High two-way starter Kennedy Tinsley said that he’s a solid commitment to North Carolina. After a season filled with injuries, Tinsley said he’s glad he can focus on his team’s task at hand: advancing through the playoffs.

“I’m sticking with UNC,” Tinsley said. “I haven’t scheduled any official visits because I’m just focusing on the playoffs, but I will take one to Carolina. I always wanted to go to North Carolina because I grew up as a Carolina fan. I wanted to make sure that they had a sports administration program, and when they did I knew it was a perfect fit. If they win Saturday they will go to a bowl, and I think that’d be a good season turnout for them.”

Despite two ankle injuries, Tinsley has tried to keep his spirits up. Now he hopes it will all pay off as he returns for Dudley’s second round playoff game.

“It’s been a rough year so far, because I’ve had two ankle injuries and I kept trying to play through them without it getting any better,” he said. “But I think I’m almost back to normal, and last week I had 113 yards on 11 carries even though I wasn’t 100 percent.

“As long as we’re winning games I just got to go out and come to play. I’m a hard nosed runner, and I play hard. I can block and I think I’m a complete back. Now I’m just trying to work on my speed and reads.”

When healthy Tinsley was lining up at both running back and outside linebacker, but has been limited to running back since his injuries. Still, he says that he’ll be happy as long as he’s on the field as a Tar Heel.

“I’ll wait and see where they want me to go,” Tinsley said. “I’ll play wherever they want, and wherever they say I’ll go. I started liking UNC when I moved here when I was eight or nine. We moved here from Alabama, and it’s a blessing to be able to go where you want to go.”