Michael Waddell

Position:
Cornerback
Height:
5-11
Weight:
173
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Ellerbe, N.C.
High School:
Richmond County

Ranked the No. 17 cornerback in the country by The Sporting News

Is on track to complete his degree requirements and graduate in August 2003 and compete for a fourth season while continuing his studies in pursuit of a Master’s degree.

2002: Started the first 10 games of the season at cornerback before breaking his left fibula against Clemson • Missed the last two games of the year against Florida State and Duke • Finished the season with 38 tackles, two interceptions and a team-high eight pass breakups • Also returned punts and had 17 returns for 72 yards, including a long of 18 yards vs. Texas • Broke up two passes and had two tackles in the season opener against Miami • Was matched up against Texas’ All-America wide receiver Roy Williams and broke-up two passes and made five tackles (three solo) • Picked off a pass in the first three minutes of the Georgia Tech game, returning it for 33 yards and setting up Orner’s 39-yard field goal • Had a career-high 10 tackles and broke up two passes in the win at Arizona State • Picked off an Andrew Walter pass in the end zone agains the Sun Devils in the fourth quarter • The interception came when the Tar Heels were trailing 28-24 and UNC marched down the field to score a go -ahead touchdown • Had eight tackles the following week against NC State and had four punt returns for 14 yards.

2001 • Junior Season
Earned second-team All-ACC honors • Had 54 tackles, including 41 solo stops • Had 14 pass breakups, the fourth-highest single-season total in school history • Had a solid game against Texas, holding wide receiver Roy Williams to four catches for 38 yards and no touchdowns • Played well against Virginia, recording a career-high nine tackles along with three pass breakups and a blocked field goal • Also a dangerous kick return man who returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown versus Oklahoma • Made six tackles against the Sooners • Recorded at least three tackles in 10 of 13 games • Had seven tackles at Georgia Tech and six vs. Wake Forest • Intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter and had seven tackles against Auburn in Carolina’s 16-10 victory in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

2000 • Sophomore Season
Started every game at cornerback • Played 626 snaps, including a season-high 78 vs. Tulsa • Played sparingly in the game at Florida State because of a mild concussion • Had 34 primary tackles and eight assists • Tied teammate Errol Hood for the sixth-best single-season mark in UNC history with 12 breakups • Picked off Georgia Tech’s George Godsey and ran the interception back 16 yards • Had three breakups against Tulsa and Virginia • Returned one kick for 24 yards vs. Clemson • Also had a season-high six tackles, including one tackle for loss against the Tigers • Made at least three tackles in eight games • Registered six tackles against Tulsa, Wake Forest, Clemson and Pittsburgh.

Richmond County High School
Parade All-America • Primarily played running back and kick returner as a senior and helped Richmond County go unbeaten and win the Class 4-A state title for the second consecutive season • As a senior, he rushed 140 times for 1,564 yards, an average of 11.2 yards per carry and scored 20 touchdowns • Caught 21 passes for 419 yards and nine touchdowns • Also scored touchdowns on two punt returns • Scored 31 times as a senior • First-team all-state kick returner • Earned second-team All-USA Today honors as an athlete • Played for Coach Daryl Barnes • Rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the 1998 4-A regional title game • Set national record for punt returns • As a junior he was first-team all-state and all-conference • Set state record with nine touchdowns on kick returns • Returned seven punts and two kickoffs for scores • Made 47 tackles and had eight interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown • Rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown in the 1997 state championship game victory • Competed in track and field, baseball and basketball.

Personal
Born Michael Andre’ Waddell on January 9, 1981 in Ellerbe, N.C. • Has two younger sisters • Favorite NFL team as a kid was the Chicago Bears • Greatest athletic moment was winning the Peach Bowl • Majoring in exercise and sports science.