The Georgia Bulldogs' Next DL Star: Jalen Carter
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Georgia Bulldog legend Jordan Davis is gone. His buddy, defensive line partner and underrated threat in Devonte Wyatt is gone. Travon Walker, the potential top overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is gone.
Should Kirby Smart, Will Muschamp and Glenn Schumann be worried?
If Jalen Carter was not on the roster, that question would be a lot more concerning for them and the Bulldog team.
He is primed for a big year in 2022. Now that the above names are heading to the league, Carter is going to be the guy on the defensive line for Georgia.
“Those guys (Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt) motivated me to do more because they told me I could be a top-10 pick and all of that,” Carter said. “I've done a lot that I didn't do during my freshman year. I've just been working hard."
Sometimes you have to ignore star rankings, but there is a lot of truth in them. Davis and Wyatt were not “can’t miss” prospects. Davis was a 3-star from Charlotte, and Wyatt was a 4-star that spent time
Carter was a bonafide 5-star prospect. He was a consensus top-20 player in high school football in the 2020 class. His name was up there with guys like Bryan Bresee, Kelee Ringo, Arik Gilbert and Will Anderson.
“Being a 5-star is cool and all, but I came here with a new start and a new mindset saying I have to earn everything I do. Just playing with the guys, I feel like I've done what was needed,” Carter said.
There is going to be a little more needed from him this season if the Georgia defense is to avoid taking a step back, particularly on the line.
Coach Smart thinks Carter needs to condition better. He is going to be on the field more. They are going to ask more of him.
“The talent is oozing, it is a matter of can he play every play with maximum intensity and be able to sustain,” he said.
Carter looked slimmer on Tuesday evening than he has been in the past, so this challenge may be well on its way to being completed by the star lineman.
This is not a knock on Carter. All of the potential is there for him to be the best defensive player in college football this season. He is fast, he is versatile and he is stronger than Davis.
Carter can block field goals, wreak havoc in the backfield and play a role on offense.
He was the lead blocker when Zamir White scored the first touchdown of the national championship, and Carter was the fullback on Davis’ touchdown against Charleston Southern.
Maybe he will get a legendary touchdown of his own this season.
