Deunta Williams, FS

Recognized by some scouting services as one of the five best "skill" athletes in the nation coming out of high school, Williams signed with North Carolina as a wide receiver. He made the conversion to safety as a true freshman and started 38 consecutive games at free safety for entering his senior season with a reputation as one of the best big-play defensive backs in the country.

Williams posted 59 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions in 2007. He was even better in 2008, registering 65 stops -- including 55 solo tackles -- and three interceptions.

Protected up front by a terrific front seven and on the edges with two legitimate NFL-caliber cornerbacks in Kendric Burney and Charles Brown, Williams exploded in 2009, earning first-team All-ACC honors as a junior with 47 tackles, six interceptions and eight passes broken up.

A cerebral player who understands what the offense is trying to do, Williams was allowed to be a ball hawk in 2009. With the Tar Heels losing their two best defensive linemen (Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin) to suspension in a widespread investigation that also resulted in a four-game suspension for Williams, his big-play production dipped (zero INTs in 2010) and he was forced to become more involved in run support, leading to 47 tackles in only eight games.

Williams' season ended with a broken lower left leg in the Music City Bowl on December 31, and his ability to prove his health by the end of April will be essential to his final evaluation. Williams' size and athleticism make him one of the more intriguing free safeties in the country. He isn't a prospect without holes in his game and might still be waiting to hear his name called late on the second or even third day of the draft.

Read & React: Good instincts for the free safety position but will bite on play-action fakes. Reads the eyes of the quarterback and gets a good breaks on the ball due to his route recognition. Has good lateral agility, though his overall fluidity and straight-line speed are good but not great. Doesn't have elite speed for the position and lacks true makeup speed. Generally takes reliable angles in pursuit, though he's willing to gamble, which put teammates in some tough situations in 2009.

Man Coverage: Doesn't appear to have the man-to-man skills to effectively drop down and cover the slot receiver. Loses a step in his transition despite loose hips. Normal acceleration, though he appears to have good speed overall for the position. Uses his hands to ride the receiver and prevent separation. Competitive defender who believes the ball is his. Has excellent ball skills.

Zone Coverage: Has typical footwork for the position, showing a high, choppy backpedal. Gains good depth on his initial drop, and breaks quickly downhill on underneath throws. Possesses enough flexibility in the hips to turn and run downfield, but must do a better job of maintaining cushion. Was protected, especially early in his career, by the pass rush and talented cornerback play.

Closing/Recovery: Good route recognition, as well as at least moderate agility and straight-line speed to close on the ball. Can get himself in trouble when he freelances, as doesn't possess a second gear to recover if beaten initially. Competes for the ball, showing good timing on his vertical leap to go along with good size and impressive ball skills.

Run Support: Good lateral agility to elude blocks. Fights through receiver blocks efficiently and isn't afraid to come up to the line of scrimmage and play with the big boys. Understands his role as the last line of defense and generally does a good job with his pursuit angles.

Tackling: Generally a reliable open-field tackler, though it's not always pretty. Consistently breaks down in space to make the secure stop. Wraps his arm around the ballcarrier to bring him to a complete stop, but doesn't provide much pop as a hitter and can be dragged by bigger ballcarriers. Flashes some explosiveness, but isn't the intimidating headhunter across the middle that his star status might imply.

Intangibles: Was suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season for his part in the UNC agent scandal and suffered a broken lower leg in his final career game. Originally signed with UNC as a wide receiver. Has started all 46 games he's played of his career.

Williams returned vs. Clemson after sitting out the first four games from suspension. Williams, a preseason All- ACC pick, has started a team-high 46 games and ranks third at UNC with 12 career interceptions. Despite playing in just eight games, he ranks sixth on the team with 47 tackles.

Earned first-team All-ACC honors after finishing the season with 47 tackles, 1.5 tackles for losses, six interceptions for 114 yards and eight pass breakups … Also had a 6-yard fumble recovery … In his third year as a starter and has started every game in his career, 38 consecutive … Ranked second in the ACC and 11th in the country with six interceptions … Has 12 career interceptions, which ranks third alltime at UNC.

Started all 13 games and ranked fifth on the team with 65 tackles, including 55 solo stops … Also had three interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble … Had seven tackles, one interception, two pass breakups and recovered a fumble vs. West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl … Posted seven tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass in the 28-20 win at Duke … Had five tackles against NC State … Recorded four tackles at Maryland … Had three tackles in the 28-7 win over No. 22 Georgia Tech … Posted five tackles in the 45-24 win over No. 23 Boston College … Recorded seven tackles at Virginia … Picked off a pass for eight yards and had six tackles in the win over Notre Dame … Had three tackles in Carolina's 28-24 win at Miami … Picked off his first pass of the season and had four solo tackles vs. Virginia Tech … Ran back the interception 25 yards … Had three tackles in Carolina's 44-12 victory at Rutgers … Posted five tackles, including four primary stops, in the 35-27 win over McNeese State in week one.

Switched from wide receiver to safety in the fall, prior to the start of the season … Started all 12 games and ranked fifth on the team with 59 tackles … Led the team with three interceptions for 84 yards and broke up two passes … Posted two tackles in the win over Duke … Had five tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one pass breakup at Georgia Tech … Had six tackles at NC?State … Had one tackle in the win over Maryland … Posted four tackles at Wake Forest, but was sidelined for part of the game with a hip flexor … Had three tackles vs. South Carolina … Had an outstanding game vs. Miami with seven tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception … Matched his career high with nine tackles at Virginia Tech … Also picked off a pass against the Hokies and returned it 39 yards … Posted a career-high nine tackles at No. 23 USF … Had seven tackles, including four solo stops and three assists, vs. Virginia … Made one tackle in the loss at ECU … One of 21 freshmen to see action in the Tar Heels' 37-14 victory over James Madison … Picked off a pass that was tipped by teammate Chase Rice and returned it 45 yards to the JMU 12-yard line, which led to a field goal … Also had three tackles.

SuperPrep All-America … Ranked the No. 4 skill athlete in the country by SuperPrep … Was named the defensive MVP for the North Carolina team in the Shrine Bowl … Recorded six tackles in the 28-24 victory … Ranked the No 2 player in North Carolina and the No. 12 safety in the nation by Scout.com … Considered the No. 4 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep … Ranks as the No. 8 player in North Carolina and the No. 25 athlete in the country by Rivals.com … Considered the No. 8 player in North Carolina by The Charlotte Observer … As a senior, caught 29 passes for 299 yards on offense and averaged eight tackles per game and intercepted seven passes on defense … As a junior, had 400 yards receiving, 250 yards rushing and 200 yards passing … Caught 16 passes and scored on 11 of those … Coached by Bob Blick … Also plays basketball and runs track … Attended the same high school as former North Carolina standout Quincy Monk.

Son of Danine Williams-Collins and Curtis Dowdy … Born November 21, 1987 … Management and society major … Would most like to have dinner with Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr. and his granddad … Would like to be on the reality TV show "College Hill" … Favorite dessert is Sweet Potato Pie … People say he looks like Teddy Pendergrass … If he could change the world in one way, he would allow for free healthcare … Favorite restaurant in Chapel Hill is Spanky's … Began playing football at the age of 11 … Recently read "Destined For Greatness" … Would like to visit Brazil … Favorite TV show is "Sanford and Son" … Favorite NFL team is the Green Bay Packers.