Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers face Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday, Dec. 29, in the Gator Bowl, with both teams looking to end their seasons on a high note.
For Clemson to win this game, their defense will have to play at the elite level we’ve seen from them many times this season. There are many Tigers on the defensive side of the ball that will be crucial for the team’s success, but linebacker Barrett Carter is the player we’ve identified as Clemson’s defensive X-Factor for the Gator Bowl.
Carter announced that he will return to Clemson for another season, and with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. departing for the NFL, it’s safe to say that this is Carter’s defense to lead. It’s Carter’s time to step up in the middle for the Tigers’ defense, and he is more than capable of doing so. The star defender will look to help this defense end the season on top as he prepares to take over the role we’ll see him in on Friday full-time in 2024.
Expect big things from Carter against the Wildcats.