He accepted a football scholarship from North Carolina State University, where he played as a running back and fullback.
As a junior in 1979, he helped the Wolfpack win the ACC football championship, leading the team with 150 carries for 665 rushing yards (4.4-yard avg.)
As a fifth-year senior in 1981, the team changed to an I formation offense and he was mostly used as a blocker for freshman standout Joe McIntosh, who led the ACC with 1,190 rushing yards.
He was the starter at fullback in the season opener, before falling on the depth chart behind Maurice Carthon in the fourth game.
[10][11] He was limited with ankle and knee injuries, only playing in 8 games and his production dropped to 8 carries for 81 yards and one rushing touchdown.