UNC at ECU: Potential NFL Prospects and Their Performances

The East Carolina Pirates routed the North Carolina Tar Heels 70-41 on Saturday.

Though the game wasn't all that close, there were some potential NFL players in action for both teams.

While one team clearly shined more than the other, we will look at the long-term NFL prospects for a few players from both teams, in addition to their performances on Saturday.

All stats from GoHeels.com, ECUPirates.com and www.sports-reference.com/cfb/

Justin Hardy

USA TODAY Sports

Game Stats: 6 receptions, 92 receiving yards

Season Stats: 28 receptions, 359 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns

The senior receiver was named to the preseason watch lists for the Biletnikoff, Paul Hornung, and Maxwell trophies after racking up a single-season school record 114 receptions for 1,284 receiving yards.  

The prolific receiver needs just 84 yards to surpass Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles for the FBS receptions all-time record. Against the Tar Heels, Hardy was hardly needed to carry a big load, but he still added nearly 100 yards on six receptions.  

Hardy has the ideal quickness and route-running ability that NFL teams look for in slot receivers, and he looks absolutely natural plucking the ball out of the air. The Vanceboro native looks to be one of the 10 best receivers in the nation and can look forward to hearing his name called on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Shane Carden

DON PETERSEN/Associated Press

Game Stats: 30-48, 438 passing yards, 4 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs

Season Stats: 1,469 passing yards, 11 passing TDs, 62 percent completion percentage, 3 rushing TDs

The best quarterback in the FBS that the casual fan has never heard of. Carden was the MVP of Conference USA last season with 4,139 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and a 70 percent completion percentage.

Carden has the size, poise and accuracy NFL scouts look for at the position. He lacks an ideal NFL arm, but he more than makes up for that with pinpoint accuracy and one of the quickest releases around.

The senior QB looked surgical against the Heels, beginning the day with a bomb to WR Isaiah Jones. Though he made one mistake that led to an interception, Carden managed points for the Pirates whenever they needed them.

Many analysts have Carden pegged for the Round 4-6 range, though if ECU continues to play this well, he could work himself into the Day 2 conversation at next year's NFL draft. 

Zeek Bigger

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Game Stats: 17 total tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD

Season Stats: 54 total tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD

Zeek Bigger is an old-school linebacker who loves to put his body on anyone carrying the football.

A former special teams ace who developed into a starter last year, Bigger is one of those players who seems to love contact. The linebacker has already put up 70 percent of the tackles he collected last season and has improved season after season.

He moves well throughout the field, helping finish tackles when he isn't the first guy on the scene. There are doubts about his ability to cover and play the "mike" linebacker position at the next level, but he could move outside and contribute on special teams.

Quinshad Davis

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Game Stats: 1 reception, 3 yards

Season Stats: 9 receptions, 94 yards, 1 receiving TD

Junior wideout Quinshad Davis has a rare blend of size (6'4'', 200 lbs), speed, athleticism and catching ability, but for some reason, he has been almost a non-factor so far this season for the Tar Heels.

Last year, Davis was an Honorable Mention All-ACC player with 48 receptions, 730 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his true freshman season, the South Carolina native managed 61 receptions, 776 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Davis is the most talented wide receiver on this team, and maybe that's his problem—facing too tough of coverage. But elite prospects find a way to get around that, and Davis will have to make himself desirable in order to be drafted.

Norkeithus Otis

USA TODAY Sports

Game Stats: 4 total tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble

Season Stats: 4 total tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble

Norkeithus Otis hit the field for his full game this season after sitting out the first two games, except for a few snaps against Liberty, and he showed why he is known as a great pass-rusher.

Otis was one of the few players who managed to get pressure on ECU QB Shane Carden, and he even forced a fumble on the QB.

Otis has struggled with injuries since he got to Chapel Hill, and he is still a very raw player at the position. Despite this, he has all the tools and athleticism to be an elite pass-rusher at the next level. He may be a little short for the position at only 6'1'', but he makes up for that with his freakishly long arms and unceasing motor.

Tim Scott

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Game Stats: 4 total tackles

Season Stats: 18 total tackles, 1 INT

Scott was a multiple-year starter at cornerback until the Belk Bowl last season, when he played free safety for the first time and did so well that he has been moved there permanently.

Scott always appears to be more comfortable sitting back and ball hawking, so the move has proved fruitful thus far. NFL teams love DBs that can play multiple positions, and Scott has all the physical tools to be the type of DB that NFL teams are leaning toward.

The senior DB exhibits great footwork and good hip fluidity and should be drafted between the fifth and seventh rounds.