North Carolina outside linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant play football with different styles. Both are essential to one of the best defenses in the NCAA.
Carter is a playmaker. Two years ago, he led all of college football with five blocked kicks — four punts, including three in one game and a field goal attempt. Last season, Carter recorded seven and a half tackles for losses, two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Sturdivant specializes in tackling. He led the team in 2009 with 79 tackles — 12 for losses — and was named second-team All-ACC. He also led the Tar Heels in 2008 with 122 total tackles, and his 87 unassisted ranked first nationally.
UNC’s defense finished No. 6 in the country in 2009, with linebackers playing a big part in that ranking. However, Sturdivant said he and his teammates would have to work hard and stay focused for the team to maintain its success.
“We have a lot of potential, but that’s the key word everybody uses: potential,” Sturdivant said. “I just gotta go out there and play every day and get better each day at practice.”
Carter and Sturdivant, both seniors, started in each of their three previous seasons, which leaves starting middle linebacker Kevin Reddick as the youngest of the group.
Despite this, the sophomore started seven games at middle linebacker his freshman season and was named to the Sporting News All-ACC freshmen team.
His ability to fill the middle linebacker role has allowed Sturdivant, who had been forced to play inside due to lack of depth at the position, to move back to his normal strong side slot.
“The emergence of Kevin Reddick has helped Quan to go back to what is probably a more natural position for him,” UNC coach Butch Davis said. “From a physical standpoint and athletic standpoint, he really plays well on the edge.”
