ESPN unveiled its Top 100 rankings of the best college football players heading into the 2024 season on Thursday, with two Clemson defensive standouts making the list.
Senior linebacker Barrett Carter was ranked No. 15 overall, one spot below LSU linebacker Harold Perkins at No. 14 and one spot ahead of Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel at No. 16.
Carter has been named to a slew of preseason All-America teams and various award watch lists, including the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Wuerffel Trophy.
RELATED: Carter named to the 2024 Butkus Award watch list
ESPN said of Carter’s ranking at No. 15:
“Carter turned heads after the season-opening loss to Duke last year when he said he did not feel as if he was in game shape. He still had a solid season with 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 6 pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery, but he returned for his senior season with more in mind — domination.”
In three years at Clemson, Carter has been credited by the coaching staff with 170 tackles (21 for loss), nine sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 38 games.
Carter was the highest-ranked ACC player on ESPN’s Top 100 list.
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods also made ESPN’s list at No. 50, one spot below Texas junior defensive end Trey Moore and one spot ahead of Arizona sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita.
Woods has also appeared on various preseason All-America teams and watch lists, including the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Per ESPN:
“As expected, the 6-2, 215-pound Woods had a Freshman All-America-caliber season for the Tigers last year. But headed into this season, Clemson wants to take advantage of his versatility and plans to play him at both defensive tackle (his natural position) and defensive end. Coach Dabo Swinney called Woods one of the team’s “best pass rushers” and said simply, “He’ll play everywhere.”
A four-star recruit out of Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala., near Swinney’s hometown of Pelham, Woods was credited with 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 12 games last season.
ESPN ranked Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. at No. 1 overall in their Top 100 rankings.
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