Former North Carolina receiver Greg Little called his suspension “a pivotal point in my life” and said Wednesday that he regretted how his actions contributed to undermining what could have been “a special season” for Carolina in 2010.

Little was one of 12 UNC products at the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis. Carolina had more players there than any other school, but many, like Little, did not play for the Tar Heels last fall.

“On paper we had the best team in the country,” Little told 620 The Buzz on Wednesday morning. “We were going to put together a special season.”

Instead, Carolina endured a bizarre year in which key players like Little, Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin never played as the NCAA investigated the program. Little was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA student reinstatement committee in October. The NCAA determined he received $4,952 in extra benefits, including diamond earrings and travel accommodations for the Bahamas, Washington, D.C., and two trips to Miami, among other benefits.

“That was a pivotal point in my life,” Little told hosts Mike Maniscalco and Mark Thomas. “It was a defining moment. I did some soul searching and understood you are going to make mistakes, but that it is what you do after that that defines who you are.”

Little, who played at Hillside, said he has spoken to students at his former school and other young people to encourage them to be more careful.

“Don’t let things like that happen to you” Little said. “Don’t let things like that become a part of your life or put yourself in the situation or around the people where those things can happen.”

Little said he realized what he was doing was wrong, but that he just had not realized he could be caught and penalized.

“It’s just me being so naïve and being so ignorant of the fact that you can be so invincible and not get caught,” Little said.