Anthony Carter Jr. sees sky-high potential for NC State offensive line
Anthony Carter Jr. sat out spring practice due to injury. He watched from the sidelines as his teammates lifted and practiced together, building up their chemistry as he put in the work to get healthy.
Once fall camp rolled around, the redshirt junior was ready to seize the opportunity. NC State named Carter its starting left guard last week after an intense training camp competition with Matt McCabe. The lineman is ready to be back inside Carter-Finley Stadium Thursday night for the season opener.
His teammates pushed him but, after starting 12 of the 13 games last season, he’ll be back with the first string unit this fall. Carter’s existing track record on the field won out in the eyes of offensive line coach Garett Tujague.
“We had a tight battle between him and Matt, very tight, and it was going back and forth,” Tujague said. “A coach’s best friend is experience, and Anthony having that experience, I think that pushed him over the top for this. He has tremendously grown. He’s stronger, healthy, so I’m excited for him.”
The Wolfpack’s left guard relied on his training during fall camp. It was his first time back on the field since the end of last season, but the interior lineman locked in on the basics and worked at his craft.
Carter approached practice with intentionality and also a mindset that embraced his competition with McCabe.
“Everybody getting better helps the team,” Carter said. “But also, you’ve got to trust your faith that everything’s going to play out how you want it.”
He missed the grind during spring practice. After emerging as a major contributor for the Wolfpack, playing 819 snaps spread across both guard spots, he was relegated to the sideline. The lineman longed for the camaraderie that comes with the practice field and the weight room.
“You realize how much you love the game when you’re not on the field with everyone,” Carter said.
Excitement filled his 6-3, 305-pound body when he returned to action in August. Last season, Carter allowed 22 quarterback pressures, finishing the year with a 63.9 pass blocking grade on Pro Football Focus (PFF).
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He worked on his pad level this offseason, staying low and sharpening his footwork. Carter learned a lot about patience and reading his keys in 2023. The lineman also realized how important it is to make sure your eyes are in the right place at the right time.
NC State has a couple days of game prep left before taking the field against Western Carolina, and Carter’s ready for his second campaign as a starter.
“It feels good,” Carter said. “You were just waiting that whole summer and all the offseason just to fix everything that happened last year.”
Brandon Cleveland expects a leap from NC State’s offensive line this year. He’s in his first year as a starter after emerging as a key contributor at nose guard as a sophomore. The Pack defensive lineman complimented Carter’s strength and his hands.
He also mentioned multiple times how this unit plays “together.” Going into the fall, Cleveland holds high expectations for Carter and the rest of the position group.
“Our offense line is way better than last year,” Cleveland said.
Carter built some hype around the unit as well.
They’re taking the process day-by-day, working on communication, watching film and bonding on and off the field. He believes NC State’s offensive line has the potential to really, really good.
“I think we could be the baddest offensive line in the nation,” Carter said.
