Eric Baker

Fourth-year tailback who looks to be back at full strength after a string of injuries have sidelined him for most of the past two seasons… had a healthy spring and is listed as the third-team tailback behind Marcus Lattimore and Kenny Miles entering the fall… named the Most Improved Running Back in the spring… has rushed 48 times in his career for 204 yards, an average of 4.3 yards per carry while playing in 17 contests.

2010: Did not appear in any games as he continued to rehab a torn ACL in his left knee suffered just prior to the 2009 Papajohns.com Bowl… underwent surgery in mid-February… worked with the scout team… granted a medical redshirt.

2009: Went into the spring atop the depth chart at tailback… a summer hernia operation limited his availability early in the fall camp and he fell behind other ball-carriers… saw action in eight games… carried twice for 22 yards with both rushes coming against Florida Atlantic… also caught two passes for 10 yards in that game… most of his work came on special teams… suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the bowl practice sessions.

2008: Rushed 46 times for 182 yards in nine games… made his collegiate debut against Georgia, catching one pass for 16 yards… had his first carries in the win over Wofford, rushing 11 times for 49 yards, including an 18-yard burst… had his best game when he rushed nine times for 59 yards, including a season-best 20-yard scamper, in the win over Arkansas… caught nine passes for 108 yards, including a season-best 42-yard reception in the Outback Bowl… enrolled in January.

2007: Spent the season at Fork Union Military Academy where he played on both sides of the ball… rushed for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns despite battling an ankle injury… a four-star prospect, was considered the eighth-best prep schooler in the nation by Rivals.com… played with Carolina teammates Antonio Allen and Akeem Auguste.

HIGH SCHOOL: Rushed for over 1,500 yards in each of his final two seasons at Edward H. White High School, helping his team to a pair of state playoff appearances… led the state of Florida in rushing during his senior campaign of 2006 for Coach Terry Gilliam… had 1,703 yards rushing and 16 TDs as a senior… earned second-team all-state honors… received a three-star rating, was considered the 41st-best running back in the nation and listed as the No. 70 player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com… ranked as the 67th-best player in the state of Florida by SuperPrep and was a three-star prospect and the nation[apos]s 49th-best running back by Scout.com… also competed in track & field… turned down offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Clemson, West Virginia, Louisville and Nebraska to sign with Carolina in 2007.

PERSONAL: Eric Baker is pursuing a degree in the field of criminal justice.