ESPN unveiled its 2024 preseason college football All-America team Wednesday. Two Clemson defensive standouts made the list.
Senior Barrett Carter was named a First Team selection while sophomore defensive tackle Peter Woods earned Second Team honors.
ESPN’s Chris Low said of Carter:
“Clemson’s defense received great news when Carter announced last December he was returning for his senior season. He’s a 6-1, 230-pound dynamo who has shown versatility throughout his career by moving around and playing different roles. He’s as effective rushing the passer as he is dropping into pass coverage. Dabo Swinney called Carter “one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years.”
Carter was believed by many to be an early round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, had he chosen to forgo his senior year at Clemson. He finished 2023 with 62 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and six passes defended in 12 games.
An All-American in 2022 and an All-ACC selection in 2023, Carter is credited with 170 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in three years at Clemson over a span of 38 games.
Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman and LSU’s Harold Perkins were also named as First Team All-America selections by ESPN.
Carter recently made the preseason Walter Camp All-America team and has been named to the Butkus Award, Bednarik Award and Wuerffel Trophy watch lists.
RELATED: Carter, Woods land on Bednarik Award watch list
For his part, Woods was a Freshman All-American in 2023 who played in 12 games and finished with 27 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Woods also landed on the Bednarik Award watch list, as well as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.
Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams was also named a Second Team selection by ESPN with Michigan’s Mason Graham and Kentucky’s Deone Walker as First Team selections at defensive tackle.
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