Nolan Carroll, CB

Carroll is an explosive athlete with good size. Injuries got in the way of an expected breakout senior season. He was voted a team captain despite having only four career starts enterin the year. Carroll was kicked by a teammate when attempting to make a tackle and suffered a broken leg in only the second game of the season. The injury and resulting surgery caused him to miss the rest of the year.

Injuries are nothing new to Carroll, who missed four games total in 2007 and '08 with various leg injuries.

A former wide receiver and special team standout, Carroll has the agility and straight-line speed for coverage and proved to be one of Maryland's more physical open-field tacklers. He moved to cornerback in 2007 and quickly emerged as the team's nickelback. He started only six games over his career, but played in 38. His excellent Combine and pro day showings may have proved his health enough to teams to warrant a mid-to-late round selection.

Read & React: Still developing in this area. Understands what the receiver is trying to do and has experience at that position. At his best facing the quarterback and has a good burst to close. Has the straight-line speed to chase receivers across the field.

Man Coverage: Physical defender. Will use his hands and body lean to disrupt the timing and route-running of his opponent. A bit high in his backpedal and has a hitch when turning, which negates his straight-line speed. Good size to handle bigger receivers on slants and crossing patterns.

Zone Coverage: Improving awareness for zone coverage. Keeps an eye on the underneath receiver and but protects the back end as well. Comes off his man to react to the ball being thrown, but is not so aggressive as to open holes for the quarterback.

Closing/Recovery: More fast than he is quick, but has enough of a burst to close downhill and knock the ball away. Competes for the jump ball and has an explosive vertical. Quick, active hands to knock the ball free, but was moved to cornerback from receiver for a reason -- had zero interceptions and nine passes broken up the 2008-09 seasons. Has to show better hand-eye coordination and a greater focus on interceptions than the big hit.

Run Support: Fights through receiver blocks to get involved, but is still learning the nuances of the position. Only marginal rip technique to disengage. Good agility to elude bigger blockers. Willing open-field tackler that provides a pop upon contact.

Tackling: One of his better areas. Physical and makes the secure stop in the open field. Good strength for the drag-down tackle. Times hits well and can knock the ball out of the receiver's hands to break up the pass. Quality special teams defender that posted seven tackles in 2007.

Intangibles: Has struggled with durability throughout his career and missed all but two games in 2009 with a broken right tibia. Underwent surgery on September 18 to have a screw inserted to stabilize the bone. Emerged as a team leader and was voted captain in 2009. Graduated with a degree in Family Science in December.

A speedy and versatile cornerback who was expected to have an all-league senior season, but had his year cut short with a broken leg … moved from wide receiver to the secondary prior to the 2007 season … a solid special-teams player during his career … played in 38 career games, including six starts … has a vertical jump of 41.0, the third-best mark in school history among defensive backs … invited to the 2010 NFL Combine.

Started in two games before suffering a broken leg … had one PBU and three tackles in the season opener against California (9/5) … recorded a career-high tying seven tackles against James Madison (9/12) before breaking his right tibia … missed the rest of the season … one of four team captains and member of the Terps' leadership council.

Played in 10 games, including four starts at CB … posted a career-high 37 tackles on the season … earned Iron Terp status for the first time in his career in spring testing … posted the eighth-highest strength index (tops among DBs) on the team in spring testing … played in the first three games then missed three due to a leg injury before returning to the starting lineup for the game against Wake Forest (10/18) … ranked second on the team with eight PBUs … had five tackles and a career-best two PBUs vs. MTSU (9/6) … equaled that PBU figure and also tallied six tackles vs. Cal (9/13) … missed the Eastern Michigan (9/20), Clemson (9/27) and Virginia (10/4) games with an ankle injury … returned to the lineup and notched two tackles and one PBU vs. Wake Forest (10/18) … earned his first career start vs. NC State (10/25) … contributed a career-best seven tackles, including his first career TFL, at Virginia Tech (11/6) … also had a career-high four solo stops vs. the Hokies … matched career highs in tackles (seven), solo stops (four) and pass breakups (two) vs. Nevada in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl (12/30).

Played in all 13 games as a reserve cornerback and special teams performer … played on coverage teams and also returned kicks … had seven special teams tackles on the season … (vs. OSU, Emerald Bowl) … played but did not record any stats … (vs. NCSU) … made two tackles before leaving the game with a hamstring injury … (vs. FSU) … recorded one tackle as a reserve in the defensive backfield … (vs. BC) … had a career-high four tackles in a reserve role … returned one kick for 15 yards … (vs. UNC) … saw significant action at corner (15 plays in nickel packages) and had three solo tackles … (vs. Clemson) … played but did not record stats … (vs. UVA) … played but did not record any stats … (vs. GT) … recorded two tackles and returned a kick for 11 yards … (vs. Rutgers) … played on special teams and returned one kickoff for 17 yards … (vs. WF) … played and recorded one tackle … (vs. WVU) … returned two kicks for 41 yards, including a career-long 23-yarder … (vs. FIU) … played and assisted on one tackle … (vs. Villanova) … played but did not record any stats … moved from wide receiver to defensive back prior to spring practice.

Played in all 13 games as a reserve wideout … saw most of his action on special teams … saw action in all but one game with the special teams unit … did not register a catch on the season, but had five kickoff returns for 60 yards … (vs. WF) … re

Redshirt season … named offensive scout team Player of the Week for his work in practice leading up to the Florida State game.

2009: Suffered a broken leg (right tibia) in the second game of the season. Required surgery to stabilize and missed the rest of the season.

Clay High School: A three-year starter at wide receiver who missed most of his senior year after suffering a broken leg in game two of 2004 … still named to the Florida Times Union's Super 11 and Super 24 teams … an All-Southeast region selection by P

Born Jan. 16, 1987 … parents are Jennifer and Nolan Carroll … father earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force and mother was a Lt. Commander in the Navy … mother is currently a Florida state representative … aunt works for the NSA at Fort Meade.