The NFL scouting process goes well beyond 40 times and college tape, as evidenced by a report from Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer that the Carolina Panthers, and other teams, have contacted Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley's high school coach in search of background information.

"I get the impression that they really like what they see," Williamson High School (Mobile, Al.) coach Bobby Parrish said on Tuesday. "You never know because you don't know what their needs are. But they definitely think he's a good ballplayer."

The Panthers have the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, which they could use on the disruptive, 6-5, 298-pound defensive tackle.