Barrett Carter ranked nation’s fifth-best linebacker by College Football News

Barrett Carter took many by surprise when he announced a return to Clemson for his senior year instead of opting for the NFL Draft after the 2023 season.

Carter will be on hand at the ACC Football Kickoff this week as one of four players representing the Tigers at this year’s annual media event in Charlotte (quarterback Cade Klubnik, running back Phil Mafah and safety R.J. Mickens are the other three players).

Earlier this month, Carter was selected along with defensive lineman Peter Woods as preseason Walter Camp All-Americans . Over the weekend, he appeared on College Football News’ list of the top linebackers in the nation entering the 2024 college football season. Carter was ranked No. 5, the highest-rated linebacker in the ACC.

He edged out Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman (No. 6) and fell one spot below Old Dominion’s Jason Henderson. Iowa’s Jay Higgins was ranked No. 1 with LSU’s Harold Perkins at No. 2.

RELATED: Clemson ranked best linebacker corps in ACC by Phil Steele

An All-SEC selection last year following an All-American season in 2022, Carter started 12 games in 2023 and recorded 62 tackles (37 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six passes defended and a forced fumble.

In three years at Clemson, Carter is credited by the coaching staff with 170 tackles (21 for loss), nine sacks, 17 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions in 38 games.

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