Jalen Carter has been predicted to be a sure-fire top-ten draft pick in 2023, but the latest news surrounding the Georgia defensive tackle may hurt his stock.
Former Georgia defensive star Jalen Carter has been touted as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some analysts had him going as high as the No. 1 overall pick. Undoubtedly, Carter would be a welcome addition to almost any NFL defense.
But in an offseason that has included some gutwrenching stories for the Bulldogs, Jalen Carter may have just caught a trip wire that could blow up his draft stock.
Per a report from ESPN, an arrest warrant has been issued for Carter citing reckless driving and racing in relation to the crash that killed former teammate Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy.
From ESPN’s story:
"“The announcement came hours after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Carter was present at the scene of the crash and later provided shifting accounts of the wreck to police.”"
Carter is currently in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his representatives told police that they were “making arrangements for to turn himself in,” according to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
While both charges are misdemeanors, this is a troubling set of circumstances for Carter, particularly in light of some like ESPN’s Todd McShay accusing him of having “character issues”. If it’s shown that Carter did indeed lie to police to protect himself or others, it could be a red flag for some NFL teams.
Depending on how things play out, there could also be the risk of more charges being filed in conjunction with Willock and Chandler’s deaths.
Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart issued a statement
"“The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community. We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”"
As this story develops we will provide more updates and information.