North Carolina Central University

FOOTBALL

     DURHAM, NC -- North Carolina Central University has not had a player selected in the NFL draft since Robert Massey, who roamed the Eagles' secondary from 1985-88, was the 46th player taken in the 1989 draft. That is poised to change as NCCU defensive lineman Greg Peterson is being described as a "hidden gem" by reputable sources like USA Today, Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated (SI).
     A 6-5, 286-pound native of Beulaville, N.C., Peterson had a monster 2006 season for NCCU, ranking 13th in the NCAA with 19.5 tackles for a loss (1.6 TFL per game), while adding a team-high two fumble recoveries. Peterson utilized brute strength, solid technique and distinct quickness to amass 7.5 sacks, another team-high, from his defensive tackle position in the Eagles' 4-3 defensive alignment. It is those assets, along with a 40-yard dash time of 4.73 seconds, that have NFL scouts, general managers and draft prognosticators projecting the Criminal Justice major as a sixth-seventh round pick.
     According to the NFLDraftScout.com's prospect ratings on the Fox Sports web site,  Peterson ranks as the 24th defensive end in the 2007 draft.
     SI draft "guru" Tony Pauline says that Peterson is "moving up draft boards, after he ran in the mid 4.8s (in the 40-yard dash) and looked impressive during position drills."
     D2football.com, the leading voice in Division II football, projects Peterson as a fifth-seventh round pick. According to their "Pro Hopefuls" section, Peterson "impressed in the CIAA title game and in recent workouts enough to merit a spot not only on the list but in the top 10 among Division II prospects overall. He has the size/speed combo to play DT or DE and even has a few scouts talking about OLB. Peterson is raw in his technique but his strength and speed have helped him dominate the Division II  level at times. He has the strength to bull rush and the speed to chase down backs from behind. He is one of the fastest rising prospects since the NFL Combine."
     During the 2006 season, Peterson, a graduate of East Duplin High School and transfer from Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, received a myriad of conference, regional and national awards. 
     He was voted All-Conference (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) First Team, Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region Second Team and SBN Sports Black College All-America Team, as NCCU finished its perfect regular season en route to a No. 1 seed in the Division II playoffs. 
     With the aid of Peterson dominating the interior line, the Eagles were crowned Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College Football National Champions for the first time in the 33-year history of the poll.
     Massey, who ranks third on NCCU's all-time interceptions list, was drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Saints and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1992.
     The NFL draft begins Saturday, Apr. 28 at 12:00 p.m.

FOX Sports - 2007 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Defensive Ends

D2Football.com - Pro Hopefuls