Georgia Bulldogs star defensive tackle Jalen Carter has made his NFL draft decision
Georgia Bulldogs star defensive tackle Jalen Carter has declared for the 2023 NFL draft. Carter announced his decision via Twitter. The former Apopka High School (Florida) standout is one of the top prospects in the draft.
In fact, ESPN recently ranked Carter as the No. 1 player in the 2023 NFL draft. Carter, a former five-star recruit, ends his career with Georgia as a back-to-back national champion.
Carter missed part of the 2022 college football season with a knee injury, but he returned and was a key player in Georgia’s championship run.
Over the past two seasons, Carter has 69 total tackles, six sacks and four pass deflections. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle has incredible athleticism and is excellent at both stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Joshua L Jones/Online Athens
Georgia fans will always remember Carter’s incredible one-armed sack of LSU quarterback Jalen Daniels in the 2022 SEC championship game.
Carter is fresh off two tackles in the national championship game. He will start the process of preparing for the 2023 NFL draft.
The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Other NFL teams with top five picks and needs along the defensive line include the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Matt Miller has released his 2023 NFL draft first round predictions and two Georgia Bulldogs have been included in the top-10 picks: Defensive tackle Jalen Carter and cornerback Kelee Ringo.
The Bulldogs just set an NFL draft record with 15 picks this spring, incluidng the No. 1 overall selection Travon Walker.
With Carter and Ringo both predicted to go top-10 by ESPN and being the No. 1 overall players at their respective positions by Pro Football Focus, the Dawgs could be in for another huge draft in 2023.
First up in Miller’s early mock draft is Carter, who is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Houston Texans.
“Some might argue for a quarterback to restart things in Houston — and we’ll have to see how second-year signal-caller Davis Mills plays after a promising first season — but it wouldn’t be a surprise for general manager Nick Caserio to give Mills more time to develop. Mills is on an inexpensive contract and has yet to play with much offensive support, and the Texans aren’t close to competing in the AFC South.”
Sep 25, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores running back Rocko Griffin (24) for a loss during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
“Carter was arguably the best prospect on Georgia’s national title team in 2021 when you talk to scouts and watch his disruptive ability as an inside or outside pass-rusher. He’s built (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) to produce from a 3-technique position and would make an instant impact in Houston.”
Next up is Ringo, who Miller expects to be taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 6 overall.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Head oach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
“With rookie first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett on the roster, the Steelers could look to improve in other places. Ringo had eight pass breakups and two interceptions on a loaded defense last season, and you might remember his clinching pick-six in the title game. If the 6-foot-2 corner can make plays without 10 future NFL starters around him, his coverage ability and physical traits will put him in the running for CB1 in this class.”
Miller also has Georgia transfer receiver, who is now at Alabama, projected as the No. 28 overall pick by the Detroit Lions.
