Michael Carter II
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Michael Carter II
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| current_team = New York Jets
| number = 30
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|3|8}}
| birth_place = Douglasville, Georgia, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 184
| high_school = South Paulding (Douglasville)
| college = Duke (2017–2020)
| draftyear = 2021
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 154
| pastteams =
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2021}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statweek = 7
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 193
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 3
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 2
| statlabel6 = Pass deflections
| statvalue6 = 24
| pfr = CartMi02
}}
Michael Carter II (born March 8, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and was selected by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Botte |first=Peter |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Jets pick another Michael Carter in NFL Draft twist |url=https://nypost.com/2021/05/01/jets-pick-another-michael-carter-ii-in-nfl-draft-twist/ |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=New York Post}}
College career
Carter was ranked as a three{{endash}}star recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of high school.{{Cite web |title=Michael Carter II, South Paulding , Safety |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Michael-Carter-II-88199/high-school-166503/ |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}} He committed to Duke on July 4, 2016.{{Cite web |title=Michael Carter 247 |url=https://247sports.com/player/michael-carter-ii-88199/ |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=247Sports.com}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Bleacher Report ranked Carter as the 34th best cornerback prospect in the draft. NFL draft analysts projected him to be selected anywhere from the fifth to the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.{{cite web| title=Michael Carter II NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for New York Jets CB| url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2940359-michael-carter-ii-nfl-draft-2021-scouting-report-for-new-york-jets-cb |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=bleacherreport.com| date=May 1, 2021}} NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein projected Carter to be a fifth round pick.{{cite web| title=2021 NFL draft prospect: Michael Carter II| url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-carter-ii/32004341-5278-6800-6ad9-7bbb260d017a|access-date=March 10, 2025| website=NFL.com}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 9 5/8
| weight = 184
| dash = 4.36
| ten split = 1.51
| twenty split = 2.56
| shuttle = 4.44
| cone drill = 6.90
| vertical = 35.5
| broad ft =
| broad in =
| bench = 13
| arm span = 29 1/8
| hand span = 9 1/2
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Michael Carter II Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-carter-iI/32004341-5278-6800-6ad9-7bbb260d017a |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Michael Carter II, Duke, FS, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1023612&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=2021=
The New York Jets selected Carter in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft, a pick they previously acquired as part of a trade that sent Leonard Williams to the New York Giants.{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Randy |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Jets Draft Speedy CB Michael Carter II from Duke in Round 5 |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/michael-carter-ii-nfl-draft-defensive-back-duke |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} Coincidentally, the Jets drafted another Michael Carter from rival school North Carolina in the fourth round of the draft earlier that day.{{Cite magazine |last=Coleman |first=Madeline |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Jets Select Michael Carter... And Michael Carter II in NFL Draft |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/05/01/jets-select-tobacco-road-rivals-both-named-michael-carter |access-date=May 13, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} He was the first of three cornerbacks the Jets drafted in 2021.
{{quote box
|align=right
|width=50%
|quote="I’ll tell you what I like about Michael Carter. The versatility. Without a doubt, character has to play into it. He’s a quality young man. He has decent size, 5-foot-11, 190. I think he’s got a lot of attributes you’re looking for. You want guys like that in your locker room. You want leaders like that. You want men like that. I think he’s a draftable player. I think he’ll be on a roster next year. He’s a guy who can contribute on special teams. At the very least, he’s a practice squad guy who makes his way onto the roster.”{{cite web| title=Michael Carter II drafted by Jets| url=https://www.si.com/college/duke/football/michael-carter-drafted-by-jets |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=si.com| date=May 1, 2021}}
|source=–Jim Mora (Former NFL head coach)
}}
{{external media
| video1 = [https://www.nfl.com/videos/jets-select-michael-carter-ii-with-no-154-pick-in-2021-draft Jets draft Michael Carter II No. 154]
}}
{{See also|2021 New York Jets season}}
On May 7, 2021, the New York Jets signed Carter to a four–year, $3.80 million rookie contract that included an initial signing bonus of $328,927.{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Michael Carter II contract| url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/72537/michael-carter-ii |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Spotrac.com}} Throughout training camp, he competed against Bryce Hall, Blessuan Austin, Javelin Guidry, Jason Pinnock, Isaiah Dunn, and Brandin Echols to be a starting cornerback and was the favorite to win the role as the starting nickelback with Javelin Guidry as his top competition. Head coach Robert Saleh named Carter as the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Brandin Echols and Bryce Hall, and he was also listed as the starting nickelback.{{cite web|title=Jets depth chart 2021: New York's projected Week 1 starters with preseason concluded| url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jets-depth-chart-2021-new-yorks-projected-week-1-starters-with-preseason-concluded/| access-date=March 10, 2025| website=cbssports.com| author=Jared Dubin| date=August 30, 2021}}
On September 12, 2021, Carter made his professional regular season debut in the New York Jets' season-opener at the Carolina Panthers and made five combined tackles (two solo) during a 14–19 loss. In Week 3, Carter earned his first career start, starting at nickelback, and recorded six combined tackles (two solo) during a 0–26 loss at the Denver Broncos. On December 5, 2021, he recorded two combined tackles (one solo) before exiting in the third quarter of a 18–33 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in order to be evaluated for a possible concussion. He was officially diagnosed with a concussion and entered concussion protocol, as he remained inactive as the Jets lost 9–30 to the New Orleans Saints.{{cite web|title=Jets' Michael Carter: Evaluated for concussion| url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jets-michael-carter-evaluated-for-concussion/|access-date=March 10, 2025| website=cbssports.com| author=Jared Dubin| date=December 5, 2021}} On December 21, 2021, the Jets officially placed Carter on the COVID-19/reserve list and he remained inactive as the Jets defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 26–21 in Week 16.{{cite web|title=Jets add Michael Carter II, Alijah Vera-Tucker as COVID-19 list hits 13| url=https://nypost.com/2021/12/21/jets-add-michael-carter-alijah-vera-tucker-to-covid-19-list/ |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=nypost.com| author=Mark Cannizzaro| date=December 21, 2021}} On January 2, 2022, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo) and had his first career sack on Tom Brady for a five-yard loss during a 28–24 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{cite web| title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets - January 2nd, 2022| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202201020nyj.htm |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He finished his rookie season with a total of 72 combined tackles (45 solo), five pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one sack in 15 games and seven starts.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Michael Carter II Game logs (2021)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartMi02.htm |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He earned an overall grade of 53.7 from Pro Football Focus as a rookie, ranked 98th among 116 qualifying cornerbacks in 2021.
=2022=
{{See also|2022 New York Jets season}}
During training camp, Carter competed to be a starting cornerback against Bryce Hall and D. J. Reed under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.{{cite web|title=5 Observations on Jets' First Unofficial Depth Chart| url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/5-observations-on-jets-2022-unofficial-depth-chart |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=newyorkjets.com| author=Eric Allen| date=August 8, 2022}} Head coach Robert Saleh listed Carter as the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season and starting nickelback. He was listed on the depth chart behind starting cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D. J. Reed.{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: New York Jets depth chart (09/01/2022)| url=https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/262/NYJ|access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Ourlads.com}}
On October 2, 2022, Carter made five solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had his first career interception off a pass thrown by Kenny Pickett to tight end Pat Freiermuth to help secure a 24–20 victory at the end of the fourth quarter at the Pittsburgh Steelers. The following week, he recorded three combined tackles (two solo) and had a season-high two pass deflections as the Jets defeated the Miami Dolphins 40–17 in Week 5. In Week 8, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass thrown by Mac Jones to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne during a 22–17 loss to the New England Patriots.{{cite web| title=New England Patriots at New York Jets - October 30th, 2022| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202210300nyj.htm| access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He finished the 2022 NFL season with a total of 63 combined tackles (50 solo), nine pass deflections, and two interceptions in 17 games and six starts.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Michael Carter II Game logs (2022)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartMi02.htm |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He earned an overall grade of 73.5 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 19th among 118 qualifying cornerbacks in 2022.
=2023=
{{See also|2023 New York Jets season}}
Head coach Robert Saleh retained Sauce Gardner and D. J. Reed as the starting cornerback tandem and listed Carter as the third cornerback and first-team nickelback. He was inactive for two games (Weeks 11–12) after injuring his hamstring. In Week 15, he tied his season-high of five solo tackles as the Jets lost 0–30 at the Miami Dolphins. The following week, Carter made two solo tackles and set a season-high with three pass deflections during a 30–28 victory against the Washington Commanders in Week 16. He finished the 2023 NFL season with 50 combined tackles (37 solo) and nine pass deflections in 15 games and seven starts.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Michael Carter II Game logs (2023)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartMi02.htm |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He received an overall grade of 80. 4 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 12th among qualifying cornerbacks.{{cite web| url=https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-10-most-physical-cornerbacks-2023|access-date=March 10, 2025| website=PFF.com |title=10 most physical cornerbacks in the NFL in 2023 |date=June 17, 2024 }}
=2024=
{{See also|2024 New York Jets season}}
On September 3, 2024, the New York Jets signed Carter to a three–year, $30.75 million contract extension that includes $13.61 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $6.00 million. This made him the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL.{{cite web|title=Jets agree to three-year extension with CB Michael Carter II|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jets-agree-to-three-year-extension-with-cb-michael-carter-ii|author=Williams, Charean|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=September 3, 2024}} Head coach Robert Saleh named Carter the third cornerback on the depth chart to start the season, behind starting tandem Sauce Gardner and D. J. Reed. He returned as the Jets' starting nickelback.{{cite web| title=New York Jets Release First Depth Chart of Regular Season| url=https://www.si.com/nfl/jets/news/new-york-jets-release-first-depth-chart-regular-season| access-date=March 10, 2025| website=si.com| author=Matthew Postins| date=September 5, 2024}}
On October 8, 2024, the Jets announced their decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh after the team began the season with a 2–3 record and subsequently appointed defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim head coach.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric |date=October 8, 2024 |title=Jets Part Ways With Robert Saleh, Name Jeff Ulbrich Interim Head Coach |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jeff-ulbrich-interim-jets-interim-head-coach-10-08-2024 |access-date=October 8, 2024 |work=New York Jets}}
He was inactive for two games (Weeks 6–7) after suffering an injury to his back. In Week 8, Carter collected a season-high five combined tackles (three solo) as the Jets lost 22–25 at the New England Patriots. He re-aggravated his back injury and missed two more games (Weeks 16 and 18) to end the season. He ended the 2024 NFL season with 24 combined tackles (20 solo), a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery in 13 games and one start.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Michael Carter II Game logs (2024)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CartMi02.htm |access-date=March 10, 2025| website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He received an overall grade of 50.7 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 183rd among 223 qualifying cornerbacks in 2024.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/players-roster/michael-carter-ii/ New York Jets bio]
- [https://goduke.com/sports/football/roster/michael-carter-ii/16135 Duke Blue Devils bio]
{{New York Jets roster navbox}}
{{Jets2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Michael}}
Category:Players of American football from Douglas County, Georgia
Category:Duke Blue Devils football players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Sportspeople from Douglasville, Georgia