Sturdivant was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals at pick number 171.
[1] In 2006, he was named a Charlotte Observer high school player of the week for recording 305 yards, four touchdowns, and 11 tackles in a game.
[3] As a true freshman for the Tar Heels in 2007, Sturdivant saw action in all 12 games as a linebacker including five starts.
[1] In 2008, Sturdivant played in all 13 games and recorded 122 tackles including 87 solo, two sacks, one forced fumble, and two interceptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.
[6] For the 2009 season, Sturdivant was moved from weakside to middle linebacker, in order to replace Mark Paschal who graduated.
Scout.com included him among its 120 Players You Need to Know feature series, and said of him, "In just two seasons ... he has developed into one of the top young linebackers in the ACC.