Jalen Carter
{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jalen Carter
| image = Jalen Carter 030825.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Carter in 2025
| current_team = Philadelphia Eagles
| number = 98
| position = Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|4|4}}
| birth_place = Apopka, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 314
| high_school = Apopka
| college = Georgia (2020–2022)
| draftyear = 2023
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 9
| pastteams =
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LIX)
- Second-team All-Pro (2024)
- Pro Bowl (2024)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023)
- 2× CFP national champion (2021, 2022)
- Unanimous All-American (2022)
- First-team All-SEC (2022)
- Second-team All-SEC (2021)
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 75
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 10.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 4
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 6
| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = CartJa05
}}
Jalen Da'Quan Carter (born April 4, 2001) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and a two-time CFP national champion before being selected by the Eagles ninth overall in the 2023 NFL draft. Carter earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2024, and played an instrumental part helping the Eagles win their second Super Bowl in franchise history. (LIX).
Early life
Carter was born on April 4, 2001, Apopka, Florida, later attending Apopka High School.{{Cite web |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |date=December 28, 2022 |title='Straight beast mode': The highlights that explain the incomparable Jalen Carter |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35324158/incredible-tales-georgia-superstar-jalen-carter |access-date=February 27, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} As a senior, he had 12 sacks, 64 tackles, and a touchdown.{{Cite web|title=Jalen Carter's High School Football Stats|url=https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jalen-carter/vPSqnzW7EeeT-Oz0u-e-FA/football/stats.htm|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=MaxPreps.com|language=en}} A five-star recruit ranked the 18th overall prospect in his class, Carter committed to play college football at the University of Georgia.{{Cite web|title=Jalen Carter, Georgia Bulldogs, Defensive Line|url=https://247sports.com/player/jalen-carter-46042405/|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=247Sports|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Adam |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Georgia picks up commitment from 4-star 2020 DT Jalen Carter out of Florida |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/georgia-picks-up-commitment-from-4-star-2020-dt-jalen-carter-out-of-florida/ |access-date=February 27, 2023 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}
College career
Carter played in eight games as a freshman, recording 12 tackles and a touchdown reception.{{Cite web|title=Jalen Carter Game by Game Stats and Performance|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/gamelog/_/id/4685759/year/2020|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=ESPN|language=en}} In Carter's sophomore season, he tallied 31 tackles and three sacks in 12 games.{{Cite web |last=Renner |first=Michael |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Early 2023 NFL Draft DI Rankings: Georgia's Jalen Carter, Clemson's Bryan Bresee lead the pack {{!}} NFL Draft |url=https://www.pff.com/news/draft-early-2023-nfl-draft-interior-defender-rankings |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=PFF |language=en}} This performance earned him a spot on the 2021 All-SEC football team.{{Cite web |last=Windham |first=Katie |date=December 7, 2021 |title=10 Alabama Players Earn All-SEC Honors |url=https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/10_alabama_players_earn_all_sec_honors/s1_16595_36657572 |access-date=December 19, 2021 |website=Yardbarker |language=en}} Georgia won the National Championship that year over Alabama.{{Cite web |last=Blinder |first=Alan |date=January 10, 2022 |title=How Georgia Beat Alabama to Win College Football's National Championship |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/10/sports/alabama-georgia-national-championship |access-date=February 27, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}} Carter declared for the 2023 NFL draft after the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, in which the Bulldogs also won.{{Cite web |last=Witz |first=Billy |date=January 9, 2023 |title=How Georgia Romped Past T.C.U. For a Second Straight Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/01/09/sports/georgia-tcu-score-championship |access-date=February 27, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=James |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Georgia DL Jalen Carter declares for 2023 NFL draft |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/georgia-dl-jalen-carter-declares-152920826.html |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3
| weight = 314
| arm span = 33 1/2
| hand span = 10 1/4
| note = All values from the NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jalen-carter/32004341-5265-6628-f264-d042e762bc39 |title=Jalen Carter Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 10, 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1039676&DraftYear=2023 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Jalen Carter College Football Profile |access-date=April 10, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}Jalen Carter, selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth approximately $21.8 million, including a signing bonus of $13.2 million. The contract also includes a fifth-year team option for the 2027 season.
= Philadelphia Eagles =
== 2023 season ==
Carter made his NFL debut on September 10 against the New England Patriots, and in that same game, he recorded his first career sack on Mac Jones.{{Cite web |last=Clancy |first=Shamus |date=2023-09-11 |title=Jalen Carter is already living up to his massive hype |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-patriots-news-analysis-jalen-carter-sack-mac-jones/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=PhillyVoice |language=english}} During the Week 14 NBC Sunday Night Football loss to the Dallas Cowboys, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox stripped the ball from quarterback Dak Prescott, and Carter returned the fumble 42 yards for his first NFL touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Cherian |date=2023-12-11 |title=Jalen Carter's fumble return TD pulls Eagles within 24-13 of Cowboys |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jalen-carters-fumble-return-td-pulls-eagles-within-24-13-of-cowboys |access-date=2023-12-11 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games and made one start. He finished with six sacks, 33 total tackles (20 solo), two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.{{Cite web |title=Jalen Carter 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartJa05/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2023.htm |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} However, Jalen Carter was edged out by Will Anderson Jr. for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.[https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/jalen-carter-edged-out-by-will-anderson-for-defensive-rookie-of-the-year-honors/563969/?amp=1 Jalen Carter edged out by Will Anderson for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors], NBC Sports, February 8, 2024
== 2024 season ==
In 2024 Carter was selected to his first Pro Bowl.{{cite web | last=McAvoy | first=Patrick | title=NFL Pro Bowl Selections: These 6 Eagles Selected To Represent Philly | website=Philadelphia Eagles On SI | date=2025-01-02 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/news/nfl-pro-bowl-selections-these-6-eagles-selected-to-represent-philly-pat3 | access-date=2025-01-02}} Following the Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the NFL issued a $11,817 fine on Carter for striking tight end Connor Heyward in the head.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/fines-eagles-steelers-sydney-brown-jalen-carter-darius-slay-quinyon-mitchell/637776/|work=NBCSports.com|title=A long list of NFL fines from Eagles-Steelers game
|first=Dave|last=Zangaro|date=December 21, 2024|accessdate=February 5, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://steelersdepot.com/2024/12/officials-reasoning-on-two-controversial-penalties-felt-idiotic-to-cameron-heyward/|title=Officials' Reasoning On Two Controversial Penalties Felt 'Idiotic' To Cameron Heyward|work=SteelersDepot.com|date=December 19, 2024|first=Josh|last=Carney|accessdate=February 5, 2025}} In a snowy Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Carter had a pivotal sack on quarterback Matthew Stafford to force fourth down in the final minute of the fourth quarter, leading to a close 28-22 victory for the Eagles after an incomplete pass.{{Cite web |last=Kauffman |first=Aiden |date=2025-03-04 |title=Rams' Sean McVay Details Crucial Jalen Carter Sack In Playoff Loss To Eagles |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/philadelphia-eagles-los-angeles-rams-sean-mcvay-jalen-carter-playofs-super-bowl |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Athlon Sports |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |title=All-22 angle shows Rams may have scored game-winning TD if not for Jalen Carter's sack |url=https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/01/20/rams-eagles-jalen-carter-sack-tyler-higbee-replay/77835889007/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Rams Wire |language=en-US}} On February 1, 2025, the league fined Carter $17,445 for the open-handed slap on center Tyler Biadasz that was not flagged in the 2025 NFC Championship win against the Washington Commanders.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jalen-carter-draws-17-445-fine-for-open-handed-blow-that-sent-tyler-biadasz-to-sideline|work=NBCSports.com|title=Jalen Carter draws $17,445 fine for open-handed blow that sent Tyler Biadasz flying|first=Mike|last=Florio|date=February 1, 2025|accessdate=February 5, 2025}} The Eagles advanced to Super Bowl LIX, where they would defeat the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs 40–22, giving Carter his first Super Bowl title.{{cite web | last=Maaddi | first=Rob | title=Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat with dominant defense in a 40-22 rout | website=AP News | date=2025-02-10 | url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-eagles-chiefs-score-e2ff209c074a00a6faff39750ff048f8 | access-date=2025-02-16}} Leading the Kansas City 34–0 late in the third quarter, the Philadelphia defensive line received high praise following their dominant performance despite not blitzing a single time, which was widely viewed to be profoundly instrumental to the victory.{{cite web | last=Zangaro | first=Dave | title=Putting Eagles' dominant D-line Super Bowl performance into perspective | website=NBC Sports Philadelphia | date=2025-02-10 | url=https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/defensive-line-super-bowl-lix-chiefs-josh-sweat-milton-williams/648656/ | access-date=2025-02-16}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the Super Bowl |
| Bold
| Career high |
= Regular season =
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="6"| Tackles ! colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sck | Sfty | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2023 | PHI
| 16 || 1 || 33 || 20 || 13 || 8 || 6.0 || — || 2 || 1 || 42 || 1 | |||||||||||
| 2024 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PHI
| 16 || 15 || 42 || 25 || 17 || 12 || 4.5 || — || 2 || — || — || — | |||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartJa05.htm Career] | 32 | 16 | 75 | 45 | 30 | 20 | 10.5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 42 | 1 |
= Postseason =
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="6"| Tackles ! colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sck | Sfty | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2023 | PHI
| 1 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — | |||||||||||
| 2024 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PHI
| 4 || 4 || 9 || 3 || 6 || 2 || 2.0 || — || 1 || — || — || — | |||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartJa05.htm Career] | 5 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Legal issues
On January 15, 2023, at approximately 2:45{{nbsp}}a.m., a serious car crash occurred resulting in the deaths of University of Georgia staff member Chandler LeCroy and football player Devin Willock. The collision, which occurred in East Athens after the Bulldogs had been celebrating their second consecutive national championship earlier in the evening, was believed by police to have occurred as a result of street racing involving LeCroy, who was driving a 2021 Ford Expedition, and Carter, who was driving a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk. LeCroy, whose blood alcohol content was 0.197, more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, veered off the road after failing to make a proper turn at a high speed. She struck at least two utility poles, downing one of them, and trees before the car came to a stop against the door of an apartment building, blocking the resident inside until the wreckage could be cleared away. Willock, who was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. Two other passengers were injured. It was estimated that both cars reached speeds of more than {{convert|100|mph|kph}}. LeCroy's speedometer indicated she had been traveling at {{convert|83|mph|kph}} when it broke during the crash.{{Cite web |last1=Valencia |first1=Nick |last2=Close |first2=David |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Jalen Carter, star University of Georgia defensive lineman, faces charges in connection with fatal crash |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/01/us/jalen-carter-crash-chandler-lecroy-devin-willock/index.html |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=CNN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Warrants out for arrest of draft prospect Carter|agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35760585/warrants-arrest-jalen-carter-ex-georgia-star-nfl-draft-prospect |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Judd |first1=Alan |last2=Jackson |first2=Dylan |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Breaking: UGA's Jalen Carter charged with reckless driving and street racing |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/investigations/ugas-jalen-carter-charged-with-reckless-driving-and-street-racing/L2DURPP5BZD5BJ4ZG7SVPNRPPA/ |access-date=March 1, 2023 |issn=1539-7459}} Carter had previously been cited for traffic violations three times during the fall semester, twice by campus authorities and once by Athens police for traveling at {{convert|89|mph|kph}} in a {{convert|45|mph|kph}} zone.{{Cite news |last1=Judd |first1=Alan |last2=Jackson |first2=Dylan |date=March 1, 2023 |title=UGA's Jalen Carter charged with reckless driving and street racing |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/investigations/ugas-jalen-carter-charged-with-reckless-driving-and-street-racing/L2DURPP5BZD5BJ4ZG7SVPNRPPA/ |access-date=March 1, 2023 |issn=1539-7459}}
On March 1, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for Carter for his involvement in the accident, with charges brought against him for reckless driving and street racing. That night, Carter turned himself in and was released on a $4,000 bond.{{Cite web |last=Odum |first=Charles|agency=Associated Press |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Jalen Carter, top NFL prospect, posts bond in fatal crash |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/jalen-carter-top-nfl-prospect-posts-bond-in-fatal-crash/article_e2e7f3c9-eebe-5baa-93eb-27cc9d2e1585.html |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Alex |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Report: Jalen Carter posts bond, returns to Combine |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/top-draft-prospect-jalen-carter-posts-bond-returns-nfl-combine |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=RSN |language=en}} He pleaded no contest to the charges on March 16, and was given 12 months of probation, along with a $1,000 fine, and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and a driving course.{{cite news |last=Salvador |first=Joseph |title=Georgia's Jalen Carter Enters Plea Deal, Avoids Jail Time for Charges |url=https://www.si.com/college/2023/03/16/jalen-carter-enters-plea-deal-to-traffic-charges-georgia-nfl-draft |website=SI.com |date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=April 28, 2023}} On May 10, 2023, Dave Willock Sr., Devin Willock's father, filed a $40 million lawsuit, in which Carter was named a defendant.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Eagles' Jalen Carter sued in relation to deadly Georgia crash |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/jalen-carter-crash-chandler-lecroy-devin-willock-lawsuit-georgia-eagles/ |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=E. J. |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Eagles rookie Jalen Carter named a defendant in civil suit regarding fatal car crash |url=https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/jalen-carter-crash-suit-nfl-eagles-philadelphia-devin-willock-20230510.html |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}} On July 13, 2023, Victoria Bowles, a former Georgia staffer who survived the car wreck, filed a lawsuit against Carter and the Georgia athletic association.{{Cite web |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Ex-Georgia staffer sues school, Eagles' Carter |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38005650/former-georgia-staffer-sues-school-eagles-jalen-carter |access-date=July 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Darnell |first=Tim |date=July 13, 2023 |title=UGA, Jalen Carter named in lawsuit by deadly car crash survivor |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/07/13/survivor-deadly-uga-car-crash-files-lawsuit/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |website=Atlanta News First |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Twitter|breadmanjalen}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=40035|nfl=jalen-carter|espn=4685759}}
- [https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/players-roster/jalen-carter/ Philadelphia Eagles bio]
- [https://georgiadogs.com/sports/football/roster/jalen-carter/5415 Georgia Bulldogs bio]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Jalen}}
Category:All-American college football players
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Sportspeople from Apopka, Florida
Category:Players of American football from Orange County, Florida