Barrett Carter explains decision to return to Clemson

The Clemson Tigers rejoiced when the news was revealed regarding linebacker Barrett Carter returning to the program for his senior season.

While the NFL was beckoning, Carter decided he wanted one more shot at a national title with the Tigers. Speaking with the media after making his decision, the star linebacker elaborated on what drew him back to Clemson for another season.

“It was probably the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Carter explained. “You know, your dream is — the opportunity is right there in front of you. You have a tough decision to make. But you have to really weigh the pros and the cons. So you know, I felt like I had some unfinished business here. Feel like I left a lot of meat on the bone this past year. I came here to win a national championship. I set out a lot of goals for myself. I had the opportunity to come back. I talked to a lot of people that had a lot of input, and decided that it was in my best interest for myself, you know selfishly, to come back, but I love this university. I love this team. I love these people. I couldn’t leave yet. The guys I get to go to work with every day, they make it so special for me. I couldn’t leave them yet.

“So it was a tough decision to say the least. I probably contemplated it for — I mean, ever since the South Carolina game ended, I was just thinking. I had no clarity with it, until like two days before I announced it. That’s when I really got the full clarity. I decided that I was to come back, and have unfinished business here to handle. I want to bring a national championship to this school. That’s all that went into it.”

The past two seasons, Carter has racked up over 130 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks for the Tigers. He’s a critical piece of the Clemson back seven and head coach Dabo Swinney even called him, “one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years.”

In 2022, Carter entered elite company at the linebacker position, joining former Butkus Award winners Nakobe Dean and Isaiah Simmons as recent players in the Power Five to rack up at least 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, multiple interceptions, and multiple forced fumbles in a single season.

Clemson didn’t have their best season in 2023, but there were signs of life over the last month and change. Barrett Carter believes it was enough to prove they could make a run next season, and he wanted to be with the Tigers for that.