Carimi had 49 starts at left tackle in his four-year Wisconsin Badgers college career, which culminated at the 2011 Rose Bowl.

In 2005, the Silver Eagles ran behind him 70% of the time when he was at offensive tackle, while as a defensive end he had five quarterback sacks.

[10] Carimi started all 13 games as a freshman at left tackle for the Badgers in 2007, replacing All-American Joe Thomas, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns at No.

[5] Commenting in Sports Illustrated in October 2009, Tony Pauline wrote: "Carimi is the next great offensive lineman to come from the Badger program.

"[17] During his senior year in 2010, when he was co-Captain of the Big Ten champion Badgers, Phil Steele made him a mid-season first-team All-American selection.

[19][20][21] As a senior, Carimi won the 2010 Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's top collegiate interior lineman.

[19][22][23][24] He was the second Outland Trophy winner in school history, joining Joe Thomas, and the 14th Big Ten awardee.

[33] In the year prior to drafting Carimi, the Bears had allowed a league-high 56 sacks, and ranked 22nd in running the ball.

General manager Jerry Angelo said he is versatile enough to play both left and right tackle, while Smith said the Bears would keep all options open, including potentially that of guard.

"[45] Matt Bowen of the National Football Post said that Carimi was his favorite prospect in the draft, and was one of the five players who most impressed him at Senior Bowl activities.

[46][47][48] Bowen thought his pass protection was at NFL standards, noting that he had "good enough feet to get back and attack speed off of the edge because of his reach.

There is no doubt Carimi can win up front in the run game," while adding that he "is the type of player you want in the locker room".

[47][48] Wes Bunting of the National Football Post said, "he understands angles, and he's a real velcro player.

[18][38][42] At the February 2011 NFL combine pre-draft workouts, he completed 29 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press, a "solid number", according to Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline.

[51][53] Pauline reported that "his footwork was smooth in pass protection, and he looked strong in run blocking drills".

[51] At the March Wisconsin Pro Day workout, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com reported that Carimi "showed good footwork and lateral quickness in drills, and his body control is surprising given his frame".

[60][61] In 2012, controversy ensued when the Saints were found working with a bounty program, which led to questions over whether Carimi was among the players targeted.

[60][63][64] Due to injuries to Lance Louis and Chris Spencer in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, Carimi played at guard for the first time in his career.

[67] Carimi was expected to compete with Demar Dotson for the starting right tackle position on Tampa Bay.

[77] He grew up on the Northeast Side of Madison, and then in the nearby town of Cottage Grove when he was a freshman in high school.

[13][77] His sister Hannah, who is two years older than he is, was a kick fighter when she was younger and later rowed for the University of Wisconsin, on its women's openweight crew team.

His mother, originally Catholic, converted to Judaism, and has had an active role in the religious education of her children.

[84] For his Bar Mitzvah project, he helped build a house for Habitat for Humanity while he was in seventh grade.

[89] One of his favorite Jewish football players was a former Badger, Matt Bernstein, and he looks to 49ers former offensive linesman Harris Barton as a role model.

[1] His uncle suffered from leukemia as a child and underwent chemotherapy while he was in second grade, losing his hair in the process and ultimately passing away at the age of nine.