University of North Carolina Athletics
Balmer, Mapp at NFL Combine
February 23, 2008 | Football
Feb. 23, 2008
North Carolina's Kentwan Balmer and Durell Mapp are taking part in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this weekend as they try to impress NFL scouts prior to April's draft. Coverage of the combine can be found on the NFL Network.
Balmer, who many observers consider a first-round draft pick, has been training in California since the season ended. Balmer was impressive in workouts at the Senior Bowl, but a mild hamstring injury kept him out of the game.
"I just want to go to the combine and show them what I can do," said Balmer. "I don't really pay attention to where they say I might go in the draft, all I can do is go out there and do my best."
Balmer and Mapp both arrived in Indianapolis late Friday afternoon. According to Mapp, they will be tested and observed by the NFL training staff on Saturday, going through a series of medical tests. Sunday's schedule consists mainly of interviews with various teams and the always popular Wonderlic test. Monday, Mapp and Balmer will finally go through some actual football workouts and run the 40-yard dash.
"I was excited to get the invite," said Mapp, who led the team with 132 tackles in 2007. "I'm just hoping for a chance to prove I can play at the next level and maybe increase my draft status."
Mapp has been in Orlando preparing for the combine, training in Tom Shaw's program with approximately 50 other NFL hopefuls.
"Coach Shaw is big into improving your speed," said Mapp. "Last year he had LaRon Landry and Calvin Johnson in the first round along with several others. I thought it would be a good chance to improve my speed before running the 40-yard dash."
A native of Burlington, N.C., Mapp came to Carolina as a walk-on. He led the team in tackles each of the last two seasons and earned second-team All-ACC honors last year.
Carolina was one of the few schools to recruit Balmer, who came from 1-A (smallest division) Weldon High School in Weldon, N.C. Balmer was recruited to UNC by Kenny Browning also coached past No. 1 draft picks Ryan Sims, Vonnie Holliday and Marcus Jones. Balmer flourished in his senior season under the guidance of defensive line coach John Blake. He had a career-high 59 tackles, 9.5 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks.
