Terrance Carter TE Texas Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Terrance Carter TE Texas Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 06/04/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.75 seconds (57%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Inline Multi-Role TE | |
| Last Updated: 06/04/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.75 seconds (57%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 119.1 | |
| Hands: |
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77% |
| Short Receiving: |
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93% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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93% |
| Deep Threat: |
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96% |
| Blocking: |
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57% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#127
Position rank:
#8
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| College Games: 25 College Snaps: 971 | ||
ESPN RATING: 75/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Likely - Coastal Carolina |
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73% |
| Harold Fannin Jr. - Bowling Green |
|
71% |
| Tucker Kraft - South Dakota State |
|
70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Terrance Carter Jr. carved an unconventional path to becoming one of college football's most productive tight ends. The son of Terrance Carter Sr. and CoQuece Jenkins began his prep career at Harker Heights High School as a quarterback before coaches recognized his frame and athleticism were better suited for tight end. That position switch proved prophetic, as Carter blossomed into District 12-6A's Offensive MVP as a senior, hauling in 23 catches for 330 yards and six touchdowns. His junior campaign was even more impressive statistically with 34 receptions for 555 yards and six scores while also completing 21 of 36 passes for 246 yards as a dual-threat signal caller.Carter's recruiting profile reflected modest expectations, earning three-star ratings from ESPN and 247Sports while receiving just two stars from Rivals. Louisiana took a chance on the raw but athletic prospect, and Carter rewarded their faith by developing into the Sun Belt's premier receiving tight end. After redshirting his freshman year and making limited appearances in 2022, Carter burst onto the scene in 2023 with 28 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. His breakout sophomore campaign in 2024 elevated him to All-Sun Belt First Team honors while ranking fifth nationally among tight ends in receiving grade according to Pro Football Focus.
The numbers from Carter's 2024 season tell the story of a player who dominated his competition level. His 48 receptions for 689 yards and four touchdowns ranked second on Louisiana's team and led all Sun Belt tight ends in receiving yards. More impressive was his efficiency, catching 77.4 percent of his 62 targets while averaging 14.4 yards per reception. His 404 yards after catch ranked fourth among all FBS tight ends, highlighting his ability to create additional yardage. Carter's transfer to Texas Tech for his final two seasons of eligibility signals his readiness to test himself against Power Four competition in the Big 12.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball cleanly away from his body and secures contested catches in traffic.
- Outstanding yards-after-catch ability, using vision and cutting skills to turn short completions into explosive gains consistently.
- Reliable target in crucial situations, demonstrating clutch gene with multiple 100-yard receiving performances against quality opponents.
- Impressive catch radius allows him to haul in passes outside his frame and make quarterback-friendly adjustments mid-route.
- Smart route runner who finds soft spots in zone coverage and sits down in windows against man coverage.
- Deceptive speed for the position, capable of stretching the seam and creating vertical mismatches against slower defenders.
- Competitive edge shows through his willingness to work over the middle and absorb contact while maintaining possession.
- Exceptional route precision for his size, running crisp patterns that create consistent separation against linebackers and safeties.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Below-average blocking strength limits his effectiveness as an in-line tight end, struggling to anchor against power rushers consistently.
- Frame lacks the bulk and mass to handle NFL-caliber edge rushers in pass protection or run blocking assignments.
- Limited experience against elite competition raises questions about how his skills will translate to Power Four defenses.
- Disappears in biggest moments occasionally, managing just two catches in Louisiana's Sun Belt Championship game against Marshall.
- Blocking technique needs refinement, particularly his hand placement and leverage when engaging defensive ends and outside linebackers.
Scouting Report: Summary
Carter's route precision and receiving instincts translate perfectly to the pro level, where his ability to find soft spots in coverage and create separation will trouble linebackers who lack his agility. His knack for generating yards after catch adds another dimension that makes him appealing to offensive coordinators seeking versatile weapons. However, his blocking limitations create immediate concerns about his three-down viability, particularly in systems that demand tight ends to handle edge rushers or create movement in the running game.The transition from Sun Belt competition to the NFL represents a significant jump that will test every aspect of his game. While his receiving skills should translate well, questions remain about whether he can maintain his production level against faster, more athletic defenders who won't allow the same separation he created at Louisiana. His frame suggests he'll struggle initially with the physicality requirements of professional football, though his competitive nature and route savvy provide pathways to early contributions on passing downs.
Carter's professional future hinges on finding the right role within an offense that maximizes his receiving talents while minimizing his blocking deficiencies. His ceiling remains that of a matchup creator who forces defenses into difficult personnel decisions, but his floor involves battling for roster spots if he can't develop adequate blocking technique. The smart money expects him to carve out a niche as a situational player who provides value in specific packages, with his long-term success dependent on adding functional strength without sacrificing the quickness that makes him special.
How other scouting services rate Terrance Carter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
115.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
8.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*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.
*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.