Tag: Carl Tucker

Miami Dolphins release fullback Carl Tucker from practice squad

Miami Dolphins release fullback Carl Tucker from practice squad

The Miami Dolphins’ roster tinkering is a never-ending project; kind of like that “to do” list that’s posted on your refrigerator. Every time a week passes brings a new opportunity to move a piece around and, potentially, unearth a gem. There may not be the same kind of appeal or upside to your “to do” list other than maybe stumbling onto something while cleaning out the garage — but we digress. Miami is in a constant, consistent state of tinkering with their roster.

And the latest news brings change for the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. The Dolphins, it was announced yesterday, released tight end/fullback Carl Tucker from the practice squad.

Perhaps the move has been made in anticipation of clearing room for a current 53-man roster player to be placed on the practice squad. Miami must make a roster move of some kind to create space for wide receiver Will Fuller, who is set to return from the suspension he received in 2020 in time to play with Miami in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

The Dolphins have no shortage of threats in the passing game and Fuller’s availability could potentially push another pass catcher onto waivers and then, hopefully, the practice squad. Or perhaps Miami is intent on carrying them all and is looking to push another player down the ranks.

Or, and this can’t be ruled out, given Chris Grier’s love of overturning rocks, perhaps Miami will go off the board all together to bring a brand new face into the fray.

But for now, all we know is that Tucker’s time with the Dolphins has come to an end. And there’s likely a corresponding move (or two) waiting to be made.

UDFA Carl Tucker hoping to show versatility at Dolphins’ minicamp

UDFA Carl Tucker hoping to show versatility at Dolphins’ minicamp

The Alabama Crimson Tide to Miami Dolphins pipeline is quite strong these days — between the additions of Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle to the offense over the past two off-seasons, the Dolphins’ offensive identity will be sure to pull plenty of inspiration from the play that was featured in Tuscaloosa over the past few seasons. But the headlining 1st-round talents aren’t the only Miami Dolphins to call Alabama “home” as we get ready for 2021 training camp — the Dolphins signed TE/FB Carl Tucker as an undrafted free agent once the 2021 NFL draft came to a close.

Tucker, who caught 36 passes for 549 yards in 38 games  as a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels program before becoming a graduate transfer to Alabama for the 2020 season, offers plenty of physicality on tape and should be expected to compete for a role as a hybrid player in Miami’s offense — which has hoarded a significant number of tight ends throughout the course of the offseason.

But Tucker doesn’t want folks to assume he’s just a mauler or a blocker. And, in his mind, there’s no better time for him to flash what else he can do than right now at rookie minicamp, when full speed and full contact isn’t an option.

“I think that’s the best part because people a lot of times just see that I block very well and they see or believe that’s all that I can do. But I personally believe that one of my strong suits as well is that I have good speed for my size, I have great hands, I feel like I run solid routes,” said Tucker.

“So it’s definitely a perfect opportunity for me to of course be smart and take care of teammates and everything, but also at the same time, get better at the other things that don’t include heavy physicality, like with route-running and stuff like that.”

Tucker’s numbers from the Alabama Pro Day are a good indication of why he wasn’t an athlete who was in high demand at the end of April, but he certainly appears to have baseline athletic ability for a tight end in the NFL. And if his former experiences from his prep days are able to shine through (he came to UNC having played only wide receiver), he may well just be able to push for a bottom of the roster spot come the start of the season.

It would be considered an upset if he did — but the foundation needed to do so can be laid starting this weekend.

Breaking: Carl Tucker Jr. announces transfer to Alabama

On Wednesday evening, Carl Tucker announced via twitter, that he has decided to transfer from North Carolina to Alabama.

On Wednesday evening, Carl Tucker announced via twitter, that he has decided to transfer from North Carolina to Alabama.

Yesterday, I posted an article on how Alabama was a favorite to land Carl Tucker, and also shared what his father said about Tucker Jr’s visit to Alabama.

Tucker was recruited by North Carolina in 2015, and was a three star recruit,  He was granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA. In his 38 career games for the Tar Heels, Tucker caught 36 passes for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns.

As a graduate transfer, he will be eligible to play this season. And with an impressive stat of averaging 15.3 yards per catch in his career, he could be a great addition and threat for the Crimson Tide!

Sep 21, 2019; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Carl Tucker (86) makes a second half touchdown catch against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

REPORT: Alabama is the favorite to land NC transfer TE Carl Tucker

Alabama looks to be the favorite school to land the transfer who added himself to the transfer portal earlier this offseason.

This past weekend, former North Carolina tight end Carl Tucker visited Tuscaloosa, and according to Tucker’s father who spoke to AL.com, Alabama looks to be the favorite school to land the transfer who added himself to the transfer portal earlier this offseason.

Sep 21, 2019; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Carl Tucker (86) celebrates his second half touchdown catch against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Appalachian State Mountaineers defeats the North Carolina Tar Heels 34-31.  James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Carl Tucker Sr. shared that:

“The visit was awesome. Obviously the stature of Alabama football is so huge that we really didn’t know what to expect, but we knew it would be something that we hadn’t seen before. … But it was really good. They really wanted to figure out what questions and concerns we had for Alabama. And they did a really good of explaining why they wanted Carl, what they saw in Carl and where they felt he would be able to help Bama.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tennessee or Missouri wants him to visit, but I just don’t know at this point if Carl is going to take anything,” Tucker’s dad said. “I know this week he’s not. Possibly the following week. But then again, I don’t know. He had a really good visit at Alabama. Let’s just say that. He could see himself playing at Alabama. Alabama really filled all of the blanks where Carl was and with his concerns.”

Tucker was recruited by North Carolina in 2015, and was a three star recruit,  He was granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA. In his 38 career games for the Tar Heels, Tucker caught 36 passes for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Carl Tucker Sr. also shared with AL.com about Butch Jones’ roll in his choice:

“There’s definitely a relationship there. And when we got there, the first person I wanted to see was Coach Jones. It was really good to see him. We had several conversations during the weekend about how this could be full circle. I think Carl would have probably gone to Tennessee if he hadn’t gone to Carolina. So we felt that it was full circle that Coach Jones was there and he had something to do with bringing Carl into the conversation of going to Alabama.”

Roll Tide Wire will keep you up to date with the latest with all things Alabama football!

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UNC grad transfer TE Carl Tucker visiting Alabama

Alabama is expected to return all of its tight ends from 2019 while also adding three-star Cade Clark in the 2020 cycle. But the Tide is still looking to add depth and talent at the position as the offseason continues. One player who could fit into …

Alabama is expected to return all of its tight ends from 2019 while also adding three-star Cade Clark in the 2020 cycle. But the Tide is still looking to add depth and talent at the position as the offseason continues.

One player who could fit into those plans is North Carolina graduate transfer Carl Tucker, who is reportedly visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend.

The 6-foot-2, 248-pound tight end would be an intriguing addition to the Alabama roster. Tucker is a veteran guy who received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA due to injuries.

So far in his career, Tucker has turned 36 receptions into 549 yards and four scores, including his best season in 2018 when he caught 16 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

That season helped Tucker land on the Pro Football Focus All-ACC First-Team:

With Alabama returning players such as Miller Forristall, Jahleel Billingsley and Major Tennison at tight end, many fans may be wondering the significance of potentially adding Tucker.

The issue with a lot of the Crimson Tide’s current crop of tight ends is completeness, as none of the guys listed above have proven to be consistent, effective blockers. That’s why the team was forced to try offensive linemen such as Chris Owens and Kendall Randolph out at that position.

The coaching staff is looking for a player who can be an effective blocker (both in run blocking and pass protection) while also being a threat as a receiver.

Tucker could potentially be that guy, should the relationship between he and the Alabama coaching staff continue past this weekend. It should also be noted that Florida State and other schools are still in the mix.

Tucker was a three-star prospect coming out of William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius (N.C.) back in 2015. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he was the No. 571 overall player, No. 43 athlete and No. 19 player in the state.

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