It took three days, but a Clemson football alum has finally been selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. In the fourth round, the Cincinnati Bengals decided to take a chance on Barrett Carter.
The veteran Clemson linebacker was projected to go on Day 2, but had to wait about an hour into Day 3 to hear his name called, but the wait paid off because he's reunited with a familiar face.
Carter will be reunited with former Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy.
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter the first off the board for the Tigers.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) April 26, 2025
He's taken by the Bengals in the fourth round. Reunites with former defensive teammate Myles Murphy.
Carter had a successful four-year career at Clemson and he started three seasons. He had 217 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three interceptions, and 20 pass breakups in his final three years with the Tigers, showing that he was one of the most productive linebackers in the ACC during that time.
Cincinnati was in the middle of the pack in the NFL in total defense a year ago, so adding a quality linebacker like Carter who I believe is going to surpass expectations is going to help big time.
This is the first time in seven years that Clemson didn't have a player selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. This breaks a six-year streak that will have to be reignited next season and I don't think that will be a problem as I see Cade Klubnik as one of a few Tigers who could be first-round selections.
Cincinnati just gained a few more Clemson fans with the addition of Carter who is the first Tiger selected this year and there will hopefully be a handful more names called on Saturday afternoon.