Tag: Barrett Carter

Clemson’s Defensive Players of the Game for the Gator Bowl win over Kentucky

Here are our Defensive Players of the Game for Clemson’s Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

No. 22 Clemson needed every play — and almost every second — in their wild, 38-35 comeback victory over Kentucky in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Friday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. 

Fortunately, the Tigers (9-4 overall) ended up with no shortage of playmakers deserving of game balls in what would be their fifth consecutive victory to end the season. 

Clemson had to win this one without star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. and cornerback Nate Wiggins, who both opted out of the bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. Both were missed as Kentucky notched three plays of longer than 40 yards.

In their absence, though, the Tigers got a big performance from junior linebacker Barrett Carter, who pressured Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary throughout the afternoon. Carter recovered a fumble and also intercepted a Leary pass to go with three pass break-ups.

Late in the first half, with Kentucky in possession of the ball with a chance for a late score, Carter dropped Leary for a sack and an eight-yard loss that would force a Wildcats punt two plays later. Carter finished with three tackles (two solo).

Freshman cornerback Shelton Lewis made the game-clinching interception on Kentucky’s final offensive snap, picking off Leary around midfield. Lewis had three solo tackles on the afternoon.

Clemson’s Defensive X-Factor for the Gator Bowl vs. Kentucky

This Clemson linebacker will be the defensive leader in the Gator Bowl.

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.

Wes Goodwin on Barrett Carter returning for another season at Clemson

Wes Goodwin is thrilled to have Barrett Carter back with the Tigers for one more season.

The Clemson football program has benefited tremendously from players opting to return to the program rather than take the next step and head to the NFL.

The most recent player to opt for a return rather than depart for the NFL is linebacker Barrett Carter, which was massive news for the Tigers. A possible first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Carter returns as one of the best defensive players in college football.

Of all the people thrilled with Carter’s decision, one was defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin, who got a player back for 2024 who would anchor their defense.

“With him coming back, it creates a lot of depth at a position of need. He is the older veteran of the group now,” Goodwin said. “Him as a person, he is an unbelievable leader. He shows up with the right mindset every day and is an extremely hard worker.

“I am excited to have him back for one more year.”

Clemson’s defense will be one of the best in the country once again in 2024, with Carter leading the way.

Barrett Carter on why he’s returning to Clemson for another season

Barrett Carter shared some of what led to his decision to return to Clemson.

Fans were thrilled to hear the news that Barrett Carter decided to return to Clemson for another season.

Carter, one of the Tigers’ stop players and a possible first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, shocked many with this decision. It was a difficult decision for Carter, but one he had help with along the way.

His pastor, Dan Lian, was a big influence on his decision at NewSpring Church. Carter had an ear in Lian, and he was someone whose connection meant a lot to Carter in this decision.

“I talked to so many people about my decision because I really didn’t know what to do, but I talked to Dan Lian, and he really just gave me so much clarity, just said ‘don’t make a decision based off of fear’ and I think that was just exactly what I needed to hear. Something clicked in my head, I knew what I needed to do after hearing that,” Carter said.

Following this conversation, the choice was clear for Carter.

“I think God works in mysterious ways,” Carter said. “And us going to lunch that day really opened the door for me that I had to make the decision to come back.”

Dabo Swinney: ‘We went to the ‘NFL portal’ and got us one right there’

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers dipped into the ‘NFL portal’ to return star linebacker Barrett Carter.

We’ve all heard about the transfer portal, but have you heard of the NFL portal?

Well, if you haven’t, good… it’s not a real thing! While it isn’t a real thing, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said that’s exactly where the Tigers went to get star linebacker Barrett Carter to return for another season.

“We went to the ‘NFL portal’ and got us one right there,” Swinney said about Barrett Carter with a smile. “Pretty excited about him.”

Carter played in 11 games this season for the Tigers, ranking second on the team with 59 total tackles and third with nine tackles for loss while adding three sacks. Fans should be thrilled to have Carter back, and we know for a fact that Swinney is.

So, why the return? A lot of it has to do with draft stock and what Carter can do for his stock as a 2025 NFL Draft member.

“I think he’s got a chance to be a top-15, top-20 pick (in the 2025 NFL Draft), and he’s not that this year,” Swinney said. “He’s a guy that’s obviously on everybody’s radar, and he’s positioned himself, there’s no question, to get drafted. But he’s just one of those kids that wants to finish. He wants to finish. I think had he got a first-round grade, he wouldn’t be here. It probably would’ve been an easier decision.”

While this is part of the case, it does go deeper than just that. Carter has unfinished business at Clemson, and there’s no better way to handle that than to return for another season.

“He wants to finish. He’s got more work he wants to get done at Clemson,” Swinney said. “He wants to be a graduate, he wants to be a leader, he wants to be a captain, and he wants to win a national championship. So, he’s excited, and so are we.”

Carter will look to have a huge season in 2024.

Social media reacts: Barrett Carter announces decision to stay at Clemson

Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter will forgo the 2024 NFL draft and will instead stay at Clemson for his senior season.

Clemson will have one of its best players back in 2024 after linebacker Barrett Carter announced on Thursday that he is forgoing the NFL draft to stay at Clemson for his senior season.

“After careful consideration and a lot of prayer, I’ve decided that I have some unfinished business to attend to,” Carter said on social media. “Therefore I will be returning for my senior year at Clemson to finish what I have started. Go Tigers!”

Carter has been one of the best linebackers in college football since he arrived in Clemson in 2021. The former five-star recruit has 59 total tackles, three sacks and two pass deflections this season.

With his performance over the last three years, Carter was widely projected to be an early-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, he will play one more season for the Tigers.

Here is how X reacted to Carter staying in Clemson:

Clemson star linebacker Barrett Carter announces his NFL decision

Barrett Carter has unfinished business at Clemson!

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program received excellent news Thursday, as one of their top players will return for another season with the Tigers.

Junior linebacker Barrett Carter took to Twitter/X to announce his decision to return, with the 2024 NFL draft being a serious option for the star linebacker. He will return for one more season with the team to handle some unfinished business and hopefully improve his draft stock.

“After careful consideration and a lot of prayer, I’ve decided that I have some unfinished business to attend to,” Carter said on social media. “Therefore, I will be returning for my senior year at Clemson to finish what I have started. Go Tigers!”

Carter played in 11 games this season for the Tigers, ranking second on the team with 59 total tackles and third with nine tackles for loss while adding three sacks. This is huge news, and one fans should be thrilled with.

ESPN’s Field Yates ranks two Tigers as the top two linebackers for the 2024 NFL draft

Clemson has the two best linebackers in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft, according to this ESPN analyst.

Clemson will be very well represented in the 2024 NFL draft and could be led by two stud linebackers.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (declared) and Barrett Carter (yet to declare) are his two top-ranked linebackers for the 2024 NFL draft. Trotter earned the No.1 spot, with Carter close behind at No.2. Here is what Yates had to say for his explanation on why Trotter is his No.1 linebacker.

It will sound cliché to say this given his father was an incredible NFL linebacker, but Trotter was born to play the position. His football instincts, reaction speed and tenacity pop off the screen in film study. Trotter is just 6-foot and 230 pounds, but he overcomes his stature with his quickness and clear anticipation skills. He has 93 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions this season.

After a slow start to their season, Trotter and Carter have been arguably the best linebacker duo in the country. Trotter has been the true standout as a

Butkus Award finalist awarded to the nation’s top linebacker.
It will be interesting to see how things play out with these two. Trotter has already declared, and there is a chance he is a first-round pick, but opinions seem split on that right now. Many outlets have Carter ranked as the higher prospect, but his draft stock has taken a hit compared to what it was to start this season. Personally, I think Carter could greatly benefit from returning to Clemson for another season.

Regardless of what happens, these two linebackers have a bright future.

New Orleans Saints spotted scouting UNC’s loss to Clemson

The New Orleans Saints were spotted scouting UNC’s loss to Clemson, giving them insight on a potential rival quarterback in Drake Maye:

The New Orleans Saints were spotted scouting UNC’s loss to Clemson on Saturday, possibly giving them insight on quarterback Drake Maye, a potential future rival. The Tar Heel Times’ R.J. Bynum noted the Saints as one of six NFL teams with scouts at the game, including the Atlanta Falcons — who were one of a few teams to send multiple representatives to the press box.

Atlanta is projected to pick inside the top-10 next April, putting them in range to trade up to the top of the draft for their chosen passer (just like the Carolina Panthers did in targeting Bryce Young this past cycle). There’s a non-zero chance that Maye could end up being a dirty bird.

If so, his performance on Saturday may have been illuminating. Maye had a bit of a meltdown in the game, completing just 16 of his 36 pass attempts for 209 yards, throwing both a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked four times but rushed for 67 yards, doing his best to give the offense a spark. He’s been pushing USC star Caleb Williams for the top spot in the 2024 draft class and a rough game like this will give NFL evaluators a lot to mull over.

What about the other NFL hopefuls on the field? Clemson’s first-round cornerback prospect Nate Wiggins intercepted Maye to seal the win late in the fourth quarter, forced a fumble on a touchdown-saving play earlier on, and finished second on the team with 7 tackles (6 solo).

Clemson linebackers Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter each played well (Trotter had 11 combined tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection) and are both projected to be top-50 picks should they declare for the draft. But it remains to be seen which underclassmen will enter the draft, and it’s anyone’s guess who the Saints were eyeing on Saturday.

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Dabo Swinney shares an injury update on linebacker Barrett Carter

Swinney gives an injury update on Barrett Carter, who missed the game against Georgia Tech.

Meeting with the media following Clemson’s dominant 42-21 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, sharing an injury update on the Tigers’ star linebacker Barrett Carter.

Carter was a surprising missing piece on the Clemson defense, as he was not on the injury report heading into the game. Swinney shared an update on Carter’s status and why he missed the game. 

“Barrett rolled his ankle Wednesday night,” Swinney said. “We thought he was going to be able to go. He did everything he could Thursday and Friday to try to get himself ready, and just didn’t feel stable as he needed to be this morning.”

Clemson’s defense looked elite without Carter, and they should look even better when they get him back on the field.