Lorenzo Carter, DE/OLB, Georgia: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

The Georgia Bulldogs rode a steadfast defense to the National Title game, and Senior pass-rusher Lorenzo Carter had a lot to do with that run.

Lorenzo Carter, a 5-star recruit out of Norcross, Georgia, had a long and semi-productive tenure at the University of Georgia. Carter was billed as uber-athletic pass-rusher coming out of high school, but his potential never seemed to match his production in college.

Carter totaled 14 sacks in his four year career, to go along with 21.5 tackles for loss.

By all means, Carter looks the part of an NFL edge-rusher, he possesses a long and athletic frame that is more than ready to be molded by the right coach.

Carter had an underwhelming sophomore season where he totaled a mere 19 tackles and failed to record a sack in 10 games of play. As a junior, Carter bounced back and recorded a career high five sacks on the year.

Carter was predicted to come out for the 2017 Draft due to his athleticism and immense ceiling as an edge-rusher. However, the Bulldog chose to return to school, where he was a key-piece to Kirby Smart’s vaunted defense and racked up a career-high in tackles in a season with 66.

Measurables

Height: 6’6

Weight: 243 lbs

Strengths

Carter’s athleticism more often than not created mismatches for him on the edge. Relying on that athleticism, Carter won a lot with his speed and flexibility to bend the corner allowed him to pressure the quarterback regularly and force a lot of mistakes. Carter’s best game of his career may have come against Notre Dame in South Bend, where he displayed his quick-twitch skill-set in plays like the one below.

The Notre Dame game is also a great example Carter’s tremendous ability set the edge, forcing running backs back inside and containing the quarterback in the pocket. Most notably Carter uses his strength to hold blocks to force the runner inside and then shed them to close the running lane and get to the running back.

In the two videos below you can see just how he does this to excel as a rush defender

Carter was also asked to do a lot in coverage in Georgia’s scheme and has the physical tools to continue to succeed in coverage at the next level. 

Although it is not as much a highly coveted skill at his position, Carter has a great vertical leap, that he uses not only to alter quarterbacks throws at the line of scrimmage. But also uses as a threat to block field-goals

Weaknesses

Carter brings a lot to the table in terms of long-term potential, but he is raw as a pass rusher. Too often the former Bulldog would rely on his speed to get around the edge, and in turn lacks sound technique in his pass-rush moves.

Throughout his collegiate career Carter has been criticized for taking plays off and not always playing full speed.

Carter has a tendency to allow ball carriers to slip through his grasp. He relies on his strength instead of wrapping up with good technique.

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All in all, Carter’s biggest asset is his freak athleticism, his sideline to sideline speed will be coveted at the next level. Take that speed and combine it with a long athletic body and Carter’s potential as an edge-rusher is through the roof. It will just take the right team to realize that potential.

Carter grades as a day two grade, and will get a shot to make an impact in his first year.