Signee analysis: 5-star LB Barrett Carter

Brandon Rink · Assoc. Editor / Staff Writer · Wednesday, December 16 2020

Barrett Carter - Linebacker
TigerNet: (5.00)

Height: 6-1 Weight: 220 Hometown: Suwanee, GA (North Gwinnett HS) Class: 2021

ESPN:

#105 Overall, #12 LB, #13 GA

Rivals:

#21 Overall, #1 LB, #3 GA

24/7:

# 17 Overall, # 1 LB, # 2 GA

Clemson signed one of the top-rated outside linebackers in the nation with 5-star Barrett Carter.

More on Carter...

Barrett Carter - 5-star OLB - Suwanee, Ga.

Committed since: 5/19/20.

Listed size: 6-1 220.

Brings to Clemson: Carter got to play his senior season and was ultra-impressive, as one of a few prospects to add a fifth star to his rating with Rivals.com. They summed up what makes Carter a dynamic defender in that update: "The Clemson commit can play strong in the box, drop into coverage or rush the quarterback at a high level. He is locked in with the Tigers and is expected to see the field next fall.”

Depth chart fit: The latter part of that Rivals assessment piques your interest as freshmen don’t often make an immediate impact at the linebacker position in Brent Venables’ defense. However, five-star Trenton Simpson has jumped in when needed to impact the 2020 Tigers and you could argue well that Carter is more polished coming in. All that said, Clemson listed him as an athlete on Signing Day and a safety on their roster. Whether right away or more in the future, Carter figures to be a fixture in the Clemson defense for seasons to come.

Brent Venables on Carter: "He's got great speed. Tremendous instincts. Plays really fast and brings tremendous position versatility to our defense."

Clemson bio

Overview: Five-star athlete from Georgia ranked as the No. 17 overall player in the nation by 247Sports … Versatile athlete that will play safety at Clemson … also listed by 247Sports as the second-best linebacker in the nation and third-best player in Georgia … Rivals.com listed Carter as a five-star player, ranked as the nation’s No. 21 overall player, the top linebacker in the nation and the third-best player in Georgia … ESPN.com lists him as a four-star, the No. 103 overall player in the nation … in a 2020 state playoff game, he recorded 197 yards rushing on 17 attempts on offense and had eight tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery on defense … he accomplished that after running for 142 yards on just six carries in the regular season finale … for the season he rushed for 429 yards, a 9.3-yard average, and scored 10 touchdowns and added seven catches for 68 yards … finished the year with 11 tackles for loss, including five sacks, to go with 38 tackles in seven games … had a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown … also threw a 13-yard touchdown pass … as a junior in 2019, he recorded 73 tackles and 10 sacks in 13 games … had 51 tackles and seven tackles for loss in 11 games as a sophomore … finished his career with 162 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, including 18 sacks … 116 of his tackles were solos … selected to play in the All-American Bowl … committed to Clemson on May 19, 2020 … recruited by Mickey Conn and Brent Venables … played for Bill Stewart at North Gwinnett High School … born Oct. 23, 2002.

Welcome to the #ClemsonFamily, @bcsznn ?????????
???????#We2Deep21 pic.twitter.com/NndSq8C4et
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) December 16, 2020

Being Barrett’s position coach I get to share a few words about him on his special day pic.twitter.com/s5ufyT8bqL
— Bill Stewart (@NGPowerHouse) December 16, 2020