Biography: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference honors after his junior season. Senior totals included 120/11.5/2. Junior totals included 95/10.5/1. Played in four games during the 2008 campaign before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Posted 74 tackles as a sophomore.

Positives: "Aggressive defender who gets the most from his ability. Plays disciplined football, stays with assignments, and effectively flows to the action. Fires up the field against the run, patient and takes good angles to the action. Fast to the flanks and possesses better than average playing speed. Shows a great head for the ball. Squares into tackles and wraps up."

Negatives: Marginally effective in pursuit. Easily out-positioned by blocks. Struggles in coverage.

Analysis: McCarthy was a terrific college linebacker who also excelled on special teams. He's a defender who would be best in a system that allows him to freely flow to the action and has enough ability to make a two deep in a number of defensive alignments.

Projection: 4-5