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 NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
John Carlson, TE
by Sam Monson
2/4/2008
John Carlson is a player that divides opinion as much as any in the 2008 draft. He ranges from being some people’s top TE, to being as low as 4 or 5 on some people’s lists, but it is possible to trace a path through the chaos and get a good idea about what kind of prospect he is.
Carlson was an excellent prospect coming out of Litchfield High School in Minnesota. His college career was marred by the colossal slump endured by Notre Dame, especially in his senior season. This has left scouts analysing a player who has prototype size, has played in a pro-style offense, but has had poor production over his college career.
 Carlson confounded scouts further by running in the 4.9s at the combine, which led many to send him down their draft boards. It later emerged that Carlson was still suffering from the after effects of a virus, and at Notre Dame’s pro day he ran a 4.67.
What we like about Carlson
He has ideal size, at 6’5 and 255 to be an NFL TE, and be a complete player at the position. He’s also one of the few good blockers of the 2008 TE class, which must raise him up the boards of some teams who value blocking more than others. He runs quality routes, and knows how to get open and stretch the seam. He also has excellent hands to haul in the ball once it’s thrown in his direction.
Carlson also works exceptionally hard and is a leader on and off the field. In short, Carlson has everything that an NFL team looks for when they’re looking for a quality starting tight end, and unlike the other top prospects in this draft at the position, he doesn’t have a major flaw in his game.
Question marks about Carlson
His best season in college produced 634 yards, and his senior year tailed off dramatically. Scouts know that Notre Dame’s dire offense was the cause of that, not Carlson, but it does mean they don’t have as much material to analyse as they would like. His athleticism was a question before his pro-day rectified much of his Combine performance. Is not seen as a real receiving threat because of his lack of explosion, but then Tony Gonzalez never set the world alight with measurables.
 Highlight of his college career
Barely had any, such was the state of the Irish. Voted team captain for the 2007 season
Other snippets
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Quality basketball player and earned a monogram for the Notre Dame team in 2003.
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Played in the 2003 US Army All-American Bowl for High School All-Stars, alongside fellow ND stars Brady Quinn, Ryan Harris and Tom Zbikowski
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Reminds some of Zach Miller, because he didn’t time brilliantly, but is likely to be productive anyway.
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Grew up in Minnesota, and was a huge Vikings fan as a kid. The Vikings would be amongst the teams that might be a good fit.
Video Footage of Carlson
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