WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Carolina's Nicks to enter NFL Draft

Jan 5, 2009

North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks will enter the 2009 NFL Draft, the school announced Monday.

NIcks, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior, set UNC single-season records in 2008 for receiving yards (1,222) and touchdowns (12). In his final game against West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, he caught eight passes for a UNC-bowl record 217 yards and three touchdowns.

"I have decided to file the paperwork necessary to enter the 2009 NFL Draft," Nicks said in a statement released by the school. "I met with Coach (Butch) Davis after the game and I appreciate the feedback he gave me and the support he has provided during the decision-making process."

Davis said he spoke with several NFL contacts about Nicks.

"I believe he has the physical and mental makeup to be a productive NFL player for many years," Davis said.

In just three seasons, Nicks has established 14 school records at UNC, including career receptions (181), career receiving yards (2,580) and career touchdowns (21). In his junior season, Nicks was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after catching 68 passes for 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is the only player in UNC history with more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

Nicks surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark five times in 2008 and 10 times in his career, both UNC records. He led the ACC and ranks 12th in the country with 94.0 yards per game. The only three-year player in ACC history with more career receiving yards than Nicks is former Georgia Tech All-America and 2007 NFL first-round pick Calvin Johnson.

In 2007, Nicks set the UNC single-season record with 74 receptions. Nicks finished his career with 14 Carolina receiving