Tyrone Carter - #22 - DB - Minnesota - Profile

Signed with the Jets as a free agent on April 14,2003. . Was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with their second selection in the fourth round of the 2000 draft (118 selection overall).  Versatile DB who has spent time at CB and SS during the first three years of his NFL career with Minnesota. . Took over kick returning duties late in the 2002 season and returned 17 kicks for 350 yards on the season. . Became the first Vikings player to score a TD on a fumble recovery since Dwayne Rudd in 1998 when he took a fumble back 46 yards at Detroit on Dec. 16, 2001. . Has started seven games in each of his first three NFL seasons.  Started at RCB vs. CAR on Sept. 22 and recorded an interception off Rodney Peete in the second quarter and had three tackles and a pass defensed on the game.  Made first career start at CB vs. BUF on Sept. 15 and posted seven total tackles and a pass defensed. . Started at SS at SEA on Sept. 29 and recorded five tackles and a QB hurry. . Saw time at DB and on special teams vs. GB on Nov. 17 and posted a season-high three passes defensed along with six tackles and a special teams tackle.  Started at DB when team opened in nickel package vs. ATL on Dec. I and recorded a pair of tackles on defense and special teams. . Took over kick returning duties in the game and returned 5 kicks for 111 yards with a long of 34 and an average of 22.2 yards per return.  Started seven games and saw action in 15 on the season.  Had six starts at FS and the other as an extra DB when the team opened in a dime package.  Recovered second career fumble and returned it 46 yards for a TD at Detroit on Dec. 16 Had season-high eight tackles at PIT.  Notched seven tackles vs. CHI. - Had six tackles at PHI.  Had first career sack when he caught Keny Collins on Monday Night Football vs NYG on Nov. 19 Earned first NFL start on the national stage when he stepped in for an injured Orlando Thomas at FS in Monday Night Football game at GB on Nov. 6.  Went on to start the next six straight games.  Played in both postseason games and started NFC Championship game at NYG.  Ended the season tied with fellow rookie Troy Walters for the longest kickoff return of the season with a 38-yarder in the season opener vs. CHI.  Started the season as the team's primary kickoff return man, setting a season-high with six returns for 134 yards (22.3 avg.) with a long of 29 vs. TB on Monday Night Football.  Had season-high eight tackles at GB on Monday Night Football.  Tied regular-season high with eight tackles and had a pass defensed in NFC Championship game at NYG on Jan. 14. - Posted seven tackles vs. GB on Dec. 17. - Recovered first career fumble and had three tackles vs. Detroit on Nov. 30.  Forced a fumble on the Cardinals' Michael Pittman to stop Arizona's first drive of the fourth quarter and had five tackles vs. ARZ on Nov. 12. . Saw first significant time on defense at TB on Oct. 17 when Orlando Thomas left the game with a scapula injury and went on to post three tackles.  Officially began the 2000 season by returning the opening kickoff of the season-opener vs. CHI (913) for 21 yards and finished the game with five returns for 124 yards (24.8 avg.) and had a career-high 38-yard long.

COLLEGE/HIGH SCHOOL
Was the first Gopher to earn consecutive All-American honors since Bobby Bell in 1961-1962 02. . During college career was twice named the winner of the Carl Eller Award as the Gophers' a Defensive Player of the Year, named after the former Minnesota All-American and Vikings All-Pro.  Holds the school career-records with 414 solo and 528 total tackles.  His 528 career tackles are the most ever by a DB in NCAA Division I-A, topping 481 by Mike Staid of Tulane (1991-94).  His 414 solos set a Division I-A career-record for all positions, surpassing the previous mark set by Greg Garnica of Ball St. (1986-89).  Was a consensus All-American as a senior in 1999.  Recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top DB. Finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation's premier defensive player.  Named to 1998 Football News and The Sports Network 1st-team All-America teams, adding second-team honors from Associated Press and third-team from the Sporting News.