Barrett

Carter

Wilson has effectively been supplanted by rookie LBs Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter in recent weeks, yet he ties for fourth on the team in tackles (28). Wilson could help a team in need of an early-down thumper, though he is limited as a coverage defender.

Carter (6’/231) is a rangy, versatile linebacker capable of chasing down ball carriers, dropping into coverage and rushing the passer from the edge. Although he will occasionally run himself into blocks, he made a name for himself as a quick closer in the open field. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler notes that Barrett was originally recruited to play the hybrid linebacker/safety Cheetah position popularized by current Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons. In his three seasons as a starter, Carter led the Tigers with 167 solo tackles, 110 stops and 33 TFLs while ranking top three on the team in forced incompletions (13) and top five in both sacks (eight) and quarterback pressures (49). Carter has a chance to be an impactful three-down player in the NFL.

Carter (6'2/220) chose Clemson over fellow finalists Auburn, Georgia and Ohio State. Per Rivals’ Chad Simmons, the linebacker had settled on the Tigers “a few weeks ago,” but saved the public commitment for his mom’s birthday on Tuesday. Very sweet. Simmons notes that this one’s a real heartbreaker for UGA, as Carter hails from Suwanee, Georgia, and the Bulldogs were pushing very, very hard for his pledge. To no avail. On the field, Carter offers a stellar all-around game, with Simmons referring to him as “physical, fast, smart, aggressive (and) instinctive.” Rivals ranks Carter as the No. 37 overall prospect in the 2021 class.

While Simmons goes with Carter, Rob Cassidy of Rivals believes that four-star Tennessee commit Terrence Lewis is deserving of that top honor. Barrett (6'2/220) is called the “most well-rounded inside linebacker in the 2021 class,” by Simmons. “He could be a tad longer but, other than than, he checks all the boxes.” Several big-name schools are currently in on Carter, but the favorites appear to be Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State. While Rivals lists Carter as their number two ILB in the class -- behind Lewis -- the folks at 247Sports project him at outside linebacker, ranking him ninth at the position and predicting he ends up at Clemson.