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Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter declares for NFL Draft

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•01/10/23•

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Jalen Carter
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Jalen Carter #88 of the Georgia Bulldogs tries to get around Andrew Coker #74 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the second quarter in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter declared for the 2023 NFL Draft shortly after the Bulldogs’ 65-7 National Championship Game win over TCU Monday night. Carter is widely considered to be probable top-5 pick with the potential to go No. 1 overall come the spring.

“Dawg Nation, These last 3 years have been exciting. I am most thankful to God for the talent and ability he has given me, without him, I am nothing. I can’t thank Coach Smart and his staff enough for their commitment to helping me develop into the best version of myself on and off the field. I also want to thank my position coach Tray Scott,” Carter wrote. “My teammates past/present have built bonds that will last a lifetime and what we accomplished together will live on forever. I would also like to thank the fans and the entire UGA community. You make taking the field between the hedges special.”

Carter finished the season with 32 tackles including three sacks with seven for loss. On his three-year career the former five-star totaled 83 stops with six sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in 38 games.

After battling injuries early in the season, Carter came on strong down the stretch for the Dawgs, having all seven of his tackles for loss in a five game stretch during November and early December. He had two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles against Tennessee on his way to being named Bednarik Award Player of the Week. He followed that up with a career-high seven tackles against Mississippi State. Carter was named an unanimous All-American for his efforts this season, one of 13 players to ever do so in program history.

ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper, Todd McShay and Jordan Reid all agree on Carter being off the board by No. 3. Kiper even has him as the No. 1 overall player on his most recent big board. If that’s the case, Carter would be headed to Chicago or Houston to play for the Bears or Texans. The Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks round out the top five based on order of finish from 2022 and trades already made.

Carter isn’t the only Georgia player to make his intentions known after the game. Kenny McIntosh and Kelee Ringo both indicated that they plan to head pro after the season. McIntosh, along with Jack Podlesny and Christopher Smith, accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl while Robert Beal will play in the East-West Shrine Game. Then of course there’s super-senior quarterback Stetson Bennett who will be off to the NFL as well. Meanwhile, Georgia fans still anxiously await decisions and announcements from Darnell Washington, Broderick Jones and Sedrick Van Pran among others.

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