Carolina looking for eighth straight victory over Duke.
Can play a variety of positions, including safety and nickel back • Tough player who also excels on special teams.
2011 - Senior Season
Started the first eight games of the season at safety before injuring his knee playing on a kickoff return vs. Clemson • Had successful arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage in his left knee on Nov. 9 • His knee ligaments were evaluated and surgical reconstruction was not required • Did not play in the Tar Heels' Bowl game • Finished the regular season with 36 tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles and two interceptions • Had one tackle against Clemson before the knee injury • Led the team with seven tackles in Carolina's 30-24 loss to Miami • Posted three tackles in a 14-7 victory over Louisville • Recorded seven tackles and forced a fumble in a 35-20 victory at East Carolina • Had four tackles and assisted on a tackle for loss in a loss at Georgia Tech • Intercepted two passes and posted seven tackles in a 28-17 victory vs. Virginia • It was the first time a Tar Heel picked off two passes in the fourth quarter since Trimane Goddard at Miami in 2008 • Was named the team's defensive player of the game for his performance against the Cavaliers • Broke up a pass and made four tackles in a 24-22 victory vs. Rutgers • Forced a fumble, assisted on a 1-yard tackle for loss and posted three total tackles in Carolina's 42-10 win over James Madison.
2010 - Junior Season Came back from an ACL injury in 2009 to play in all 13 games and start five, including the first four of the season against LSU, Georgia Tech, Rutgers and ECU • Also started the final game of the year at Duke • Had 37 tackles, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups and two interceptions • Returned kickoffs in the final three games of the season and finished with five returns for 91 yards, including a long of 25 vs. Virginia Tech • Broke up two passes and had two tackles in Carolina's 24-19 win at Duke • Registered four tackles vs. NC State • Posted two tackles against Virginia Tech • Broke up a pass and had two tackles in a 37-35 win at Florida State • Posted one tackle vs. William & Mary • Matched his season high with six tackles at Miami • Intercepted a pass and posted three tackles in Carolina's first win at Virginia since 1981 • Had four tackles and broke up a pass in a 42-17 win over ECU • Had perhaps his best game of the season with six tackles and an interception in the fourth quarter of Carolina's 17-13 win at Rutgers • Had one tackle vs. Georgia Tech • Made his first career start vs. LSU in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game and had five tackles.
2009 - Medical Redshirt Missed all of the 2009 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during preseason practice and received a medical redshirt.
2008 - Sophomore Season Earned special teams co-captain honors along with Ryan Taylor • Was one of the Tar Heels' top tacklers on kickoff returns • Finished the season with 11 tackles and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown vs. Connecticut • Recovered a fumble on a punt in the 28-7 win over No. 22 Georgia Tech and Carolina scored on the next possession • Posted a career-high five tackles in the win at Rutgers.
2007 - Freshman Season One of 11 true freshman to play • Played in 10 games, primarily on special teams • Had four tackles, including stops against East Carolina, Miami, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.
St. Ignatius High School Played running back, receiver and defensive back at St. Ignatius • Rushed for 1,113 yards, averaged 5.6 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns before suffering a toe injury late in the season • Team won its first six games before Merletti injured his toe • Averaged 10.6 yards on 16 receptions and made three interceptions • Named first-team All-Northeast Lakes district • Coached by Chuck Kyle • lso competed in track.
Personal Was a ball boy for the Cleveland Browns when Butch Davis was Cleveland's head coach • on of Patricia and Lew Merletti • His father is Senior Vice President for the Cleveland Browns and is the former director of the U.S. Secret Service • Born July 18, 1988 • Double major in communications and exercise and sport science • Would most like to have dinner with Jesus, Pat Tillman and his grandfather • Favorite dessert is lava cake from Fleming's Steakhouse • People say he looks like Mario Lopez (A.C. Slater in Saved By The Bell) • Began playing football at the age of 7 because the other parents were upset he was tackling their kids in soccer • Followed the Cleveland Browns as a kid • Outside of football, he would choose to be in the U.S. Secret Service • Favorite TV show is "Desperate Housewives" • Likes to go to the beach • Would like to appear on the TV show "Curb Your Enthusiasm" • Would run "The Amazing Race" reality show with his brother, Mike, a U.S. Army Ranger • New Year's resolution was to eat healthier • Would like to visit Rome • His brother, Mike, has had the biggest impact on his life.
