Barrett Carter LB Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Barrett Carter LB Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (88%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.0 DOB: 10/23/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (88%*) | |
| Age: 22.0 DOB: 10/23/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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69% |
| Pass Rush: |
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74% |
| Run Defense: |
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78% |
| Coverage: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#172
Position rank:
#13
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| College Games: 46 College Snaps: 2165 | ||
ESPN RATING: 84/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| D'Marco Jackson - Appalachian State |
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96% |
| Jordan Magee - Temple |
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93% |
| Curtis Jacobs - Penn State |
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85% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Barrett Carter, a linebacker from Clemson, established himself as a defensive force during his college career. Hailing from North Gwinnett High School in Georgia, Carter was a five-star recruit who quickly made an impact with the Tigers. He played in 38 games over three seasons, starting 26, and amassed 170 tackles (21.0 for loss), 9.0 sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Carter's junior season in 2023 saw him earn second-team All-ACC honors. He recorded 67 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six pass breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery. His sophomore campaign in 2022 was even more productive, garnering fourth-team All-America honors from Phil Steele and first-team All-ACC recognition. That year, Carter tallied 77 tackles (10.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Off the field, Carter has been recognized for his academic achievements and community involvement. He was named to the All-ACC Academic Team in both 2022 and 2023, and was selected as a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2023. Carter has been active in community service, frequently reading to local elementary schools and volunteering with organizations like Our Friend Christopher, which was established in honor of a high school teammate who passed away from brain cancer.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional athleticism with impressive speed, change of direction, and burst, allowing him to cover sideline-to-sideline
- Versatile defender capable of excelling in run defense, pass coverage, and as a blitzer
- Strong coverage skills, able to match up with tight ends and running backs in man coverage
- Displays good eye discipline and route recognition in zone coverage
- Explosive blitzer with the ability to create pressure from multiple alignments
- Physical at the point of attack when taking on blocks from tight ends
- Demonstrates good angle pursuit against outside runs
- High football IQ with the ability to diagnose plays quickly
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized for a traditional linebacker, which can lead to struggles when taking on blocks from offensive linemen
- Run defense instincts are still developing, occasionally leading to incorrect gap fits
- Tackling technique needs refinement, sometimes allowing ball carriers to break free
- Can improve leveraging zone coverage responsibilities in relation to safety help
- Ball skills in coverage are inconsistent, struggling to locate and make plays on the ball
Scouting Report: Summary
Barrett Carter projects as a high-upside, three-down linebacker in the NFL. His sideline-to-sideline range and coverage skills fit the mold of the modern linebacker. In sub-packages, Carter can match up with tight ends and running backs, while his blitzing ability adds another dimension to his game. His instincts in zone coverage and route recognition should translate well to the next level.
However, Carter will face challenges at the point of attack against NFL offensive linemen. His frame and play strength are concerns when it comes to shedding blocks and filling gaps consistently. NFL coaching will be crucial in refining his run fits and tackling technique. Carter may start his career as a nickel linebacker while he develops the physicality needed for early downs.
Overall, Carter's athletic traits and versatility give him a high ceiling. He profiles as a weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 or an inside backer in a 3-4 scheme. His ability to play in space and attack downhill could make him a defensive chess piece. If Carter can bulk up without losing his explosiveness and improve his stack-and-shed ability, he has the potential to become an impact player and three-down starter within his first couple of seasons.
Written By:
Felix Green (ACC)
Barrett Carter percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Barrett Carter (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.