Ahmad Carroll, the Packers' first-round selection in the 2004 draft, signed with the team Monday morning, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced. The club also placed CB Chris Johnson and DE Eric Powell on reserve/physically unable to perform.
The 5-10, 185-pound Carroll, the 25th overall selection, was regarded as one of the finest athletes produced by the University of Arkansas. An All-Southeastern Conference pick of the league's coaches each of his three seasons with the Razorbacks, he earned first-team honors in 2001 and 2003. In 36 games, he recorded 140 tackles (98 solo) with one sack, seven stops for losses, 25 passes defensed and four interceptions. He is the first Arkansas player drafted by Green Bay in the first round.
Carroll was the fourth defensive back chosen in the draft, behind safety Sean Taylor (No. 5 by the Redskins), and cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall (No. 8, Falcons) and Dunta Robinson (No. 10, Texans). Also a gifted track athlete, Carroll set the Georgia state record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.41 during his junior year of high school in 2000. He was clocked at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash.
Carroll is the last of the Packers' six draft picks to sign with the team.
Johnson, the Packers' first of four seventh-round choices in the 2003 draft, missed his rookie season with a right knee injury. Then, in his comeback efforts this summer, he sustained a stress fracture in the same knee.
Powell, who re-signed with the club May 2, also has a knee injury.
