Personal:

2005 (JUNIOR): Has played in all 11 games at tight end and on special teams ... has started five games at tight end when the Irish have started in multiple-tight end sets ... was the special teams player of the week against Michigan State ... has seven receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown this season, including a career-best 22-yard catch ... has 12 tackles (nine solos) and a forced fumble on special teams ... assisted on a tackle on special teams and caught two passes for three yards at tight end against Pittsburgh ... had four tackles (three solos) and forced a fumble on a kickoff return that led to an Irish touchdown against Michigan State ... had one catch for 15 yards against Washington ... had one catch for 22 yards and a touchdown in the 49-28 win at Purdue ... assisted on a special teams tackle versus BYU ... had a catch for eight yards and a solo tackle against Tennessee ... caught two passes for eight yards and made three tackles (one solo) on special teams in the win over Syracuse ... had two tackles (both solos) on special teams in the win over Stanford ... has logged 143:00 of playing time with 243 special teams appearances.

2004 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 12 games at tight end, starting twice (Stanford and Navy) ... finished the season with six catches for 31 yards (5.2-yard average) ... was a major contributor on special teams ... hauled in a career-high three passes for 11 yards against Boston College ... caught two passes versus Navy for 17 yards ... longest reception went for 12 yards ... made his first career start at tight end versus Stanford ... caught a three-yard pass versus Tennessee ... posted five tackles (four solos) on special teams ... collected two tackles versus Washington ... made 191 special teams appearances and played 29:55 at tight end.

2003 (FRESHMAN): Did not see action as a tight end during his rookie season ... also played on the Irish basketball team and earned a monogram ... played in two games for the Irish on the hardwood after joining the team in January.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Litchfield (Minn.) High School ... ranked 19th on the Detroit Free-Press 20-player "Best of the Midwest" team ... named to the 10-member Super Preps team by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune ... a four-year starter at tight end ... a three-time all-conference selection and two-time all-state honoree ... caught 41 passes, seven for touchdowns, for 471 yards as senior in 2002 ... made 79 tackles and two sacks as defensive end ... career totals included 95 catches for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns ... rushing stats were 133 attempts for 493 yards and seven touchdowns while also returning kicks ... totalled 30 touchdowns in his career and scored 194 points ... had 200 career tackles, including 96 solos ... played in the U.S. Army All-America game in San Antonio ... starting center in basketball who helped team compile a 114-8 record during his career while winning the Minnesota Class 2A state title three times ... named first-team all-state as a senior, honorable mention as a junior and second team as a sophomore ... finished his prep basketball career with 1,676 points, 974 rebounds and 412 assists ... was a McDonald's preseason All-American in basketball as a senior ... conference MVP as a junior and senior and was a four-time all-conference and all-area selection ... played in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game ... also played tennis, helping his team reach the state finals as a junior ... finished with a career record of 106-22 playing No. 1 doubles ... three-time all-conference selection in tennis ... two-time participant in the individual state tennis tournament and four-time letterman ... one of four children of John Sr. and Bette Jo Carlson ... his father played basketball at St. Cloud State and was his coach at Litchfield in both basketball and tennis ... member of the National Honor Society ... full name is John David Carlson ... born May 12, 1984, in St. Cloud, Minn. ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters with a major in history and ALPP (arts and letters pre-professional)

No Audibles Available.

The good: This talented tight end is the premier pro prospect at this critical position despite an erratic final season. He displayed his potential earlier in his career while playing with former Irish QB Brady Quinn. After struggling at the NFL Scouting Combine, Carlson recovered nicely at the Notre Dame Pro Day and dispelled concerns with a 4.67 40-yard dash. He has a tall, angular frame that will allow further growth potential with strength development. He can be unstoppable as a receiver, especially in the red zone. He can catch the ball in traffic and has the ability to fight for yardage after the catch. The bad: Carlson’s production fell significantly in Quinn’s absence last year after he showed elite receiving skills as an underclassman. He also dealt with an illness that forced him to miss the Senior Bowl and perform below his athleticism at the NFL Combine. He needs to show more consistency as a blocker.

This is special to Rivals.com from Frank Coyle. Coyle has written about the NFL Draft in his newsletter for more than...[Complete Bio]