Former Clemson Tigers standout Barrett Carter continues to validate his rapid rise at the next level.
Ahead of Week 17, ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters selected a rookie of the year for each NFL team, and Carter was the choice for the Cincinnati Bengals after a breakout debut season that quickly exceeded expectations.
ESPN Bengals reporter Ben Baby highlighted Carter’s ability to handle responsibility well beyond what’s typically asked of a fourth-round pick.
“There aren’t a ton of great options to choose from given Cincinnati’s season, but Carter has done an admirable job in trying circumstances,” Baby wrote. “After five games, he was made the full-time starter at middle linebacker… It was an unanticipated workload for the fourth-round pick, but he has learned on the job and gained experience that should be helpful for the Bengals in 2026.”
From Role Player to Defensive Leader
Drafted No. 119 overall in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Carter didn’t wait long to make his presence felt. After earning his first start in Week 6, he became the Bengals’ signal-caller on defense, responsible for relaying calls and aligning the front.
Through 15 games (10 starts), Carter has posted:
- 98 total tackles
- Three passes defended
- One interception
He recorded his first career interception last Sunday in Cincinnati’s 45–21 win over the Miami Dolphins, further solidifying his case as one of the team’s most dependable defenders.
Despite not starting the first five games, Carter is tied for second on the team in tackles and has registered four double-digit tackle games, including a 16-tackle performance against the New England Patriots in Week 12. According to the Bengals, that outing marked the second-most tackles by a Bengals rookie since 1994.
Clemson Pedigree Showing Through
Carter’s NFL impact mirrors the résumé he built at Clemson from 2021–24. Over 52 career games (40 starts), he totaled:
- 254 tackles
- 31.5 tackles for loss
- 12.5 sacks
- 24 pass breakups
- Three interceptions
As a senior, Carter was a Butkus Award finalist and a first-team All-ACC selection, cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s most complete linebackers before making the jump to the NFL.
Now, just months into his professional career, Carter has already established himself as a foundational piece for Cincinnati’s defense moving forward.
Carter and the Bengals return to action this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium.