April 28, 2008

Chapel Hill, N.C. ---- North Carolina linebacker Durell Mapp has signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers. Mapp was a second-team All-ACC performer who led Carolina with 132 tackles in his senior season. He also led the Tar Heels in tackles in 2006.

"I think it's a good situation for me, because Green Bay didn't draft a linebacker," said Mapp, a native of Burlington, N.C. "I talked to the Packers throughout this process and I like their linebackers coach. He reminds me a lot of Coach (Tommy) Thigpen. They love their football in Green Bay, so I'm excited about this opportunity."

In 2007, Mapp ranked second in the ACC and 10th in the nation with 11.0 tackles per game. He earned ACC Player of the Week honors three times and had a career-high 23 tackles vs. NC State. Mapp began his career as a walk-on, but earned a scholarship prior to his sophomore year and became one of the top contributors on defense in the next three seasons.