Florida was the biggest loser at the NFL early-entry deadline, losing three key defensive underclassmen to the pros. Georgia Tech, Georgia and USC also lost key juniors from what could have been very good defenses. The biggest winner? North Carolina, which already had the country’s sixth best defense, and managed to retain studs on the line, at linebacker and the in the secondary.

According to Scout, Butch Davis and the Tar Heels have the top NFL prospect at defensive end (Robert Quinn), defensive tackle (Marvin Austin), outside linebacker (Bruce Carter), and free safety (Deunta Williams). They’ve got the 2nd best inside linebacker prospect (Quan Sturdivant) as well as cornerback (Kendrick Burney). That means there’s an outside chance that six Tar Heel defensive players are taken in the first two rounds of the 2011 draft.

The offense will remain something of a question, despite the return of its quarterback, top two running backs, top receiver (highly-routed pro prospect Greg Little). Three offensive lineman return.

Everyone will find out how good UNC is early – the Tar Heels play LSU in September. Do what we just did – go plunk $20 down on UNC to win the title next year. You can probably get the Tar Heels at +10,000, for a payout of 2k. [Scout]