The New York Jets made North Carolina’s Michael Carter an early choice in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon, taking the speedy and decorated running back with the 107th overall pick.
His selection marked the fourth Tar Heels player to go in the draft, following running back Javonte Williams (second round to the Denver Broncos), linebacker Chazz Surratt (third round to the Minnesota Vikings), and receiver Dyami Brown (third round to the Washington Football Team) — the trio of former college teammates who went during Friday night’s proceedings.
Carter, who turns 22 during the coming week, had been projected to come off the board in the third- or fourth-round range. The Jets acquired him in short order Saturday, drafting him with the second pick of the day, after the Jacksonville Jaguars chose Southern California defensive lineman Jay Tufele to open the top of the fourth round.
“I never thought this day would get here,” Carter said Saturday, “but now that it has, I’m just so grateful for everything. Every kid grows up dreaming of making it to the NFL, and now I have a chance to live out that dream as a New York Jet.”
Carter became the eighth North Carolina running back to post multiple 1,000-yard seasons, and he did so with an epic performance in the regular-season finale. He rushed for 308 yards as the Tar Heels mauled Miami in December, the fourth-highest total in Atlantic Coast Conference history and 20 yards shy of Derrick Fenner’s school record.
He racked up 1,245 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season, with his average of 7.98 yards per carry eclipsing Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice’s school record of 7.2 yards per carry set 74 years prior in 1946. His average of 113.2 rushing yards per game led the ACC last season, and his 18 carries of 20 yards or more topped the nation.
Carter finished his college career with 3,404 rushing yards, fourth all-time in school history behind only Amos Lawrence, Mike Voight and Leon Johnson. Carter scored 22 career rushing touchdowns. He added 82 catches for 656 receiving yards across the last four seasons.
“Michael Carter was an unbelievable leader for us, who also happened to be a great player,” Tar Heels coach Mack Brown said Saturday. “I was impressed with Michael’s game when I was with ESPN, so I was excited to coach him. He didn’t disappoint. He’s so patient in his running style, so he finds holes and just bursts through them with his speed and quickness. I love his energy, his commitment and his work ethic, and I fully expect him to have an excellent career with the New York Jets.”
Dazz Newsome’s selection in the NFL Draft on Saturday, with the Chicago Bears using the 221st overall pick to take the North Carolina shifty slot receiver, gave the Tar Heels five players in the first six rounds of the draft.
Newsome, who turns 22 in two weeks, had been viewed as a third-day prospect, predicted to be taken toward the conclusion of the seven-round draft. The Bears, who began the draft choosing BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick on Thursday night, took Newsome on Saturday eight spots before the end of Round 6.
“I’m pretty much speechless right now,” Newsome said Saturday. “I’m thankful that the Chicago Bears decided to bring me into their organization and I’m going to do everything I can to show them they made the right choice. Being drafted has always been my dream, and now it’s real. I have a chance to provide for my family, so you know you’re going to get everything I’ve got.”
He ranks as one of the most productive weapons in North Carolina school history, checking in third all-time for the Tar Heels in catches (188), fifth in receiving yards (2,435) and seventh in touchdown catches (18).
Newsome’s numbers suffered a drop from his junior season, when he supplied team highs of 72 catches and 1,108 receiving yards to go along with 10 touchdowns. Fifty of his catches in 2019 resulted in first downs. Last season, he dipped to 54 catches for 684 yards and six scores as a senior.
He led the ACC in punt return average last season, and special teams could serve as a path for Newsome to establish a foothold in the NFL.
Adam Smith is a sports reporter for the Burlington Times-News and USA TODAY Network. You can reach him by email at asmith@thetimesnews.com or @adam_smithTN on Twitter.
Take advantage of our $1 for 6 months sale on digital subscriptions. For special offers, click here.
