Barrett Carter: The Next Great Clemson LB
Clemson’s defense has something special brewing within its front seven. Agent Zero, BC, or Barrett Carter, has been an absolute force for the Clemson Tigers’ defense.
Ask anyone about the sophomore product out of North Gwinnett, and they will light up and respond with heavy praise.
If you were paying attention to the ABC call for the Clemson game on Saturday night, you heard college football broadcasters Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler talk about Barrett Carter, saying, “Dabo’s had a lot of special players come through here, and you bring up number zero and his eyes just light up saying he can play anywhere on our defense and he is so talented.”
Barrett has made the most of his moments this season, becoming a full-time starter for the Clemson defense. Barrett has recorded twenty-five tackles, an interception, and a sack. His versatility as a backer is underrated by those who aren’t paying attention to it; he can play multiple positions at any given point in the game. He can line up against receivers in the slot in coverage, play a traditional position or line up on the edge and rush the quarterback. Barrett creates many challenges for the offense, who has to line up against him on a given Saturday.
Wes Goodwin, who has coached Carter for two years, has had nothing but good things to say about the young linebacker. His most recent comment was about Carter’s play against NC State, with his sack against Devin Leary setting the tone for the second half following a tight game against the Wolfpack after two quarters.
“I feel like it was one of the biggest plays of the game. When you boil it down to a couple plays here and there, but the momentum, the energy, creating great momentum in the second half was huge as well.”
When Clemson needed a knockout punch, Barrett was there to make something happen, and the booming sack on Devin Leary emphasized the play’s impact. It is not boiled down to just one play but several big moments throughout the season. Whether you look at the interception against Furman, making key tackles to open up against Georgia Tech, or leaping over running backs to make plays against Wake, he has been making plays all season long.
Barrett will continue to look to make impact plays as the Tigers travel to Boston College for another primetime game to keep their undefeated season alive.
