North Carolina's Profile for Brandon Tate

Brandon is a 2005 graduate of Cummings High School in Burlington, North Carolina where he totalled 66 receptions for 1,213 yards and 18 touchdowns in 15 games as a senior. He also returned kicks and played defensive back. He tallied 22 catches for 496 yards (22.5 per catch) and eight touchdowns as a junior and helped to lead Cummings to the state finals in 2003 and the semifinals in 2004. Tate was tabbed a Burlington Times-News All-Area selection and was also a member of the Greensboro News & Record All-Area Team. A versatile athlete, Brandon was also a 3-year starter in basketball where he was a guard who helpd lead Cummings to the state title as a junior.

He came into UNC that fall and right away became the team's leading kick returner. In 2005, he averaged 25.8 on hig KORs and 9.8 on his PRs.

In 2006, he ranked second in the ACC in punt return average (9.7) and sixth in kickoff return average (23.7) and he led the ACC and was one of only three players in the country with two kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also began to get some limited time as a WR in 2006.

In '07, Brandon totalled 1,765 all-purpose yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. he averaged 17.8 yards per touch (1,765 yards on 99 touches) and recorded 479 yards receiving on just 25 catches (19.2 yards/catch.) He recorded five receiving touchdowns and averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return and 9.4 yards per punt return with one score.

His 2008 season was wiped out early on by a knee injury, but he should be well enough to compete at the NFL Combine and regain some of his draft status.

Weighed in lighter than expected at the Combine, but was still unable to perform any of the drills due to injury. Was also still unable to run in the UNC Pro Day in late March and late word has it he will be unable to do any running until June.

Very fast and shifty. Solid size for a kick return specialist, and had just begun to show that he could be a contributor as a receiver over the final few games prior to his injury. As a reciever he is still unpolished and relies too much on speed. Can make a roster as a kick returner while he matures as a receiver.

Not a polished receiver, and will come into the league purely because of his speed and kick return ability. If the knee injury is not fully healed by the Combine, his draft status will really suffer, as his speed was his bread & butter. Shows flashes of ability as a receiver, but has a ways to go in terms of understanding coverages, running precise routes and breaking the press. has some off field issues.

5-6th round if the knee is solid. UDFA if not...Injury status clouds draft projection significantly, as do some off the field issues.

Your Projected NFL Draft Round: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Undrafted

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