CLEMSON — Linebacker Barrett Carter enters the 2025 NFL Draft as Clemson football‘s top prospect after spending four seasons with the Tigers.
The 6-foot linebacker became the seventh player in Clemson history to be a finalist for the Butkus award, given to the nation’s top linebacker. He recorded 233 tackles, including 31.5 for loss, 24 pass deflections, three interceptions and two forced fumbles over 52 games and 40 starts in his career.
After not taking part in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, Carter ran 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Clemson’s Pro Day, which would have ranked in the top 15 of linebackers at the scouting combine. His instincts and athleticism allows him to make tackles in space and guard running backs in man coverage.
Here are the top five destinations for the Tigers’ standout linebacker:
Barrett Carter NFL draft projection 1: Tennessee Titans
Tennessee added linebacker Cody Barton in free agency to join second-year players James Williams and Cedric Gray. It missed two many tackles or took poor angles in the second level last season that contributed to long runs.
The Titans adding Carter in the middle rounds will add an athletic linebacker who can provide depth and add to their run defense.
Barrett Carter NFL draft projection 2: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens signed linebacker Jake Hummel in free agency to supplement the losses of Malik Harrison and Chris Board. Still, Hummel has been effective on special teams, not on defense in his career.
Baltimore adding Carter, who has a high motor and athleticism despite his size, would be a mid-round addition who can learn behind standout linebacker Roquan Smith and add depth to the thin group.
Barrett Carter NFL draft projection 3: New York Giants
New York added Board (two-year deal) and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (one year) to boost its linebacker corps behind Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden. Both additions will boost its special teams unit, but it needs to add talent that can to boost its defense.
The Giants need a run-stuffer linebacker, and Carter fits this mold as a Day 2 or 3 selection who can develop into a starter in the coming years.
Barrett Carter NFL draft projection 4: Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas added linebackers Elandon Roberts and Devin White via free agency after losing Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo. Its unit is thin, meaning it needs to inject a capable young player who can develop in the coming years like Carter.
Barrett Carter NFL draft projection 5: Dallas Cowboys
Dallas signed linebacker Jack Sanborn to a one-year deal in free agency and traded for Kenneth Murray Jr., who is also on a one-year deal. With both on short contracts, it needs to add capable linebackers who can either develop into starters or provide immediate impact.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
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