Nicks to give NFL a shot

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks has made spectacular catches on his shoulder, behind his back and so far above his head that the ball looked well out of reach.

But now the sure-handed junior is reaching for his most life-changing grab: a chance at shining in the NFL.

"I felt like I'm ready for a new challenge in my life,'' Nicks said of his decision to forego his senior season to enter April's pro draft. "I love Carolina. I'll always be a Tar Heel, I'll always root for them in the future. I felt it was just another challenge for me to step up to."

Nicks, the first star UNC football player to make the early leap since Julius Peppers left after the 2001 season, said he prayed about the choice. But his eight-catch, three-touchdown, 217-yard performance in the Meineke Bowl on Dec. 27 influenced his decision, as did the feedback Nicks received indicating that he would likely be an early second-round draft choice.

UNC coach Butch Davis, who talked to more than a dozen NFL teams to research Nicks' pro possibilities, said, "Most everybody feels pretty confident that he's going to have a chance to be a first-day selection."

Nicks leaves Carolina holding 14 school records, including career marks for receptions (181), receiving yards (2,580) and touchdowns (21).

He made the All-ACC first team during the 2008 season 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.

The only three-year player in ACC history with more career receiving yards than Nicks was Georgia Tech All-American Calvin Johnson.

Nicks said he was a "little bit" tempted to return for his senior season and continue to help build the program but said he had to "look at this situation as in what's better for me. ... I feel like I made a great decision."

Nicks' departure leaves a huge hole in the Tar Heels' offense. Seniors Brooks Foster, Brandon Tate and Cooter Arnold have exhausted their eligibility, leaving Greg Little and Dwight Jones the top remaining receivers on UNC's depth chart.

Nicks said he will not return to classes for the second semester. He still plans to complete his degree while continuing to make highlight catches -- at the next level.

BRIEFLY: Asked if he anticipated the departures of any other underclassmen -- specifically, back-up quarterbacks Cameron Sexton and Mike Paulus -- Davis said, "As of right now, I don't have any information that would lead us to believe that."