ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has remained critical of Georgia star defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who is one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL draft.
McShay first made headlines in December stating there were character concerns plaguing the 2022 All-American.
“With Carter, there are some character issues. Does he get along with everybody. What’s he like to deal with in the locker room, those sorts of issues” McShay said on ESPN. “I know it’s early in the process, but I’m forewarning everybody out there. Carter is going to be a hot-button name when we talk about some of the intangible aspects of it. I think Pete Carroll (and the Seattle Seahawks) at No. 2, who has a long of history taking guys with questionable character and then developing them and having them work out, that would make a lot of sense to me.”
McShay seemed to be the only voice citing such concerns. Multiple Georgia Bulldogs rushed to Carter’s side on social media defending their teammate’s character.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman did a deep dive into Carter’s character in February and published a story that outlined how the former five-star prospect bought a UGA walk-on’s meals with his own scholarship money.
Carter’s legal troubles this offseason haven’t helped his case with McShay, who doubled down on his opinion of Carter this week on an episode of ‘Pardon My Take’.
“As good as Jalen Carter was and as important as he was in these last 2 years winning national championships, I don’t think there are a lot of people in Athens that are crying that Jalen Carter’s leaving town,” McShay said. “I think he’s been a lot to handle.”
McShay has Carter going to the Chicago Bears with the No. 9 overall pick during Thursday’s first-round.