Xavier

Carlton

Freeman had only joined the Bears last week — the veteran will probably find a practice squad by the time the week is over. The Bears also waived DB Millard Bradford, DL Xavier Carlton, DB Alex Cook, LB Power Echols, DB Kaleb Hayes, QB Austin Reed, RB Ian Wheeler, and TE Joel Wilson. Additionally they released DB Tre Flowers and OL Joshua Miles, and placed DB Zah Frazier on the NFI list.

Carlton (6'7"/262) has played sparingly for Utah, with 2021 being his most productive season, racking up 18 total tackles (four for loss) and 1 sack. Carlton was a four-star recruit in the 2020 cycle, and he was ranked as the 10th SDE in the class so there should be a lot of raw potential for the Golden Bears to tap into here.

The Utes have been among the more active programs during Thursday’s leg of the early signing period, having gained a DB flip from OSU (Clark Phillips) and lost a LB pledge to Texas (Jaylan Ford). Carlton (6'7/262) joining the fray, now. The Draper, Utah, native opted in with HC Kyle Whittingham and staff over fellow finalists Ohio State and Washington. At this juncture in his development, Carlton’s game is more predicated on quickness than power or technique. He lands on the 247Sports composite board as the No. 299 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

This is a key OV for the Utes, who have lagged behind a little in their recruiting for the 2020 cycle when compared to conference foes. Carlton (6'7/262) hails from Draper, Utah, and on the 247Sports composite board lands as the No. 297 overall prospect in the 2020 class. Cal, Oregon and UCLA are among the other programs vying for Carlton’s pledge. On the field, he plays with plenty of quickness, though we’d like to see him improve in terms of his pure physicality.