Bruce Carter, OLB

Possessing a brand of eye-popping pure athleticism reminiscent of former top-10 selections Aaron Curry (No. 4 overall pick in 2009, Seattle Seahawks) and Keith Rivers (No. 9 overall pick in 2008, Cincinnati Bengals), Carter entered the 2010 season among the highest-touted prospects in the country. Unfortunately, a disappointing senior season and late knee injury that required surgery now cloud his draft status.

Carter signed with UNC as a highly-touted prep athlete who gained most of his attention on the offensive side of the ball, starring at quarterback and running back, as well as safety. It didn't take him long to acclimate to Tar Heels coach Butch Davis' scheme, however, as Carter earned the starting outside linebacker position the sixth game of his true freshman season.

After flashing in 2007 (25 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 blocked kick), Carter emerged as one of the best all-around linebackers in the ACC as a sophomore, posting 68 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, an interception he returned 66 yards for score against Rutgers and a nation-leading five blocked kicks.

With offenses crafting their gameplans around him in 2009, Carter's numbers dropped slightly (65 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, INT returned for a 41-yard touchdown), but his recognition from the opposition rose, as he earned second-team All-ACC accolades.

Carter was recognized as a second-team All-ACC pick in 2010, as well, but his statistics again dropped (57 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks). Even worse, a knee injury suffered against rival N.C. State required season-ending surgery and puts in doubt his ability to work out for scouts before the draft.

When healthy, Carter is among the most explosive prospects in the 2011 draft. His athleticism has made up for average instincts, making his return from ACL reconstruction surgery critical to his final grade.

Read & React: Generally does a nice job in reading his keys. Aggressively attacks the line of scrimmage and underneath routes, often breaking on underneath passes before the quarterback has even released the ball. Is so aggressive that he can be susceptible to good play-action. Only average ability to locate the football, but pursues hard and has fine closing skills due to his explosiveness.

Run defense: Aggressive in meeting, greeting and discarding blocks against the run. Has the lateral agility and vision to elude blockers and makes plays at the line of scrimmage. Also shows some explosiveness in his upper body with his ability to stack and shed blocks. Rare straight-line speed and good agility to avoid tripping up through the trash. Chases hard laterally and downfield in pursuit.

Pass defense: Provides a good initial pop to the tight end and has the agility and speed to trail closely when in man coverage. Gains good depth on his drop. Changes directions fluidly and has rare straight-line speed. Reacts aggressively to the movement of the quarterback, showing good route recognition and a burst to close on the ball. Can be beaten with good play-action due to his over-aggression.

Tackling: Possesses legitimate explosiveness as a hitter. Generates great momentum in only a few steps and can deliver highlight reel collisions. Generally a reliable open-field tackler, but sometimes drops his shoulder for the big hit and fails to wrap up securely, resulting in some missed tackles. Also has a tendency to arrive on the scene so fast that he's a bit out of control, overrunning the play slightly. Generally athletic and strong enough to make the lunging tackle anyway.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Generates good speed off the edge as a stand-up blitzer. Typically relies on his speed to run around the offensive lineman, showing good flexibility and agility in doing so. Gives blockers an explosive pop to disengage from blocks, but has yet to develop a variety of pass rush moves or the hand technique to fight through once they've latched on to him.

Intangibles: Underwent ACL reconstruction surgery on his left knee on Dec. 14, 2010 and may not be available to work out for scouts before the draft. Prior to the injury he was recognized as a workout warrior. Reportedly has been timed at 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, and owning a 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 440-pound max bench press, 605-pound squat and a power-clean of 374 pounds. Special teams demon for North Carolina in 2008. Led the country with five blocked kicks, including four punts. Blocked eight kicks for his career.

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Carter was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented to the nation's top linebacker. This season he posted 57 tackles, blocked a punt and picked off a pass. Carter has blocked seven kicks in his career, including six punts and a field goal.

Started all 13 games at outside linebacker and earned second-team All-ACC honors … Has started 33 career games … Finished the season ranked third on the team with 65 tackles and had 7.5 tackles for losses, two sacks, one interception return for a touchdown, two pass breakups and four quarterback pressures … Recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, at NC State.

Started all 13 games at outside linebacker in 2008 … Ranked fourth on the team with 68 tackles and led the team with 11 tackles for losses … Also had five sacks and one interception … Led the nation with five blocked kicks - a punt at Miami, three punts vs. Connecticut and a field goal attempt at Virginia … Had seven tackles, including two sacks, in the Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. West Virginia … Posted six tackles, including three solo stops, in the 28-20 win at Duke … Had five tackles and a 2-yard sack against NC State … Recorded a career-high 11 tackles, including two tackles for losses, at Maryland … Posted three tackles, one tackle for loss and a quarterback pressure in the 28-7 win over No. 22 Georgia Tech … Playing with a slightly sprained ankle, had three tackles in the 45-24 win over No. 23 Boston College … Blocked a field goal attempt, broke up a pass and had three tackles at Virginia … Posted three tackles, including his first two career sacks for 18 yards, in the win over Notre Dame.

Was named one of the coaches' defensive players of the week for his performance against the Irish … Set a single-game ACC record by blocking three punts - all in the second quarter - in the win over No. 24 Connecticut … His third block was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by Matt Merletti … It was the fourth-consecutive punt he had blocked, including Miami's last punt and Connecticut's first three … Carter also recorded seven tackles, including two tackles for losses and broke up a pass … Posted four solo tackles, a 3-yard tackle for loss and partially blocked a punt late in the fourth quarter to give Carolina outstanding field position in a 28-24 win at Miami … Following the block, Carolina drove 56 yards for the game-winning touchdown … Recorded five tackles, including three solo stops and two assists, and had one quarterback pressure, against Virginia Tech … Was slowed during the game with a slight hamstring pull … Had three tackles and ran back a 66-yard interception for a touchdown at Rutgers in the third quarter to give Carolina a 31-6 lead … Was named one of the coaches defensive players of the game … Posted eight tackles, including five primary stops and three assists, in the season opener vs. McNeese State.

Played in all 12 games and started seven … Played his best football down the stretch with 18 of his 25 tackles coming in the final five games … Had four tackles and recovered a fumble in the win over Duke … Played one of his best games at Georgia Tech with seven tackles and one tackle for loss … Had two tackles and a pass breakup at NC?State … Posted three tackles in the win over Maryland … Had two tackles at Wake Forest … Also played on special teams … Saw limited action against USF?due to a thigh bruise … Started vs. Virginia and had two tackles before injuring his thigh … Made his first career start in the loss at ECU and posted four tackles, including a 1-yard tackle for loss … One of eight true freshmen to see action in the first game of the year, a 37-14 Carolina victory over James Madison … Blocked a punt in that game that was recovered on the 1-yard line and led to a touchdown one play later … Forced to play the entire second half at outside linebacker after Chase Rice left the game with an ankle injury.

2010: Suffered a season-ending knee injury against N.C. State that required ACL reconstruction surgery Dec. 14.

SuperPrep All-America … Ranked the No. 8 skill athlete in the country and the No. 7 player in North Carolina by SuperPrep … Ranked the No. 33 safety in the country and the No. 19 player in North Carolina by Rivals.com … Considered the No. 14 player in North Carolina by The Charlotte Observer … Played quarterback, safety and running back in high school … Ran the ball from the quarterback position more than he threw it, gaining 1,063 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground … Also passed for 585 yards and five scores as a senior … Threw for nearly 700 yards and rushed for approximately 850 yards and scored 13 touchdowns as a junior … Coached by Charlie Smith … Also played basketball.

Nickname is "Bruuuuuuce" … Son of Tammy and Bruce Pritchard … Born February 19, 1988 … Communications major … Favorite restaurant in Chapel Hill is Spanky's … Favorite dessert is red velvet cake … Favorite cartoon character is Batman … Began playing football in the eighth grade … His mother would describe him as "energetic" … Would most like to be on the cover of ESPN the Magazine … Followed the Carolina Panthers as a child … Has a pet dog named Cookie … Best friend on another team is Koyal George (NC State) … Says the best thing about Carolina is "representing your state in that Carolina blue jersey" … New Year's resolution was to work twice as hard as he did in 2008 … Gameday superstition is to wear wrist bands for each game … Would like to be a guest on "Oprah."