Bulldogs’ Jalen Carter Has Hall of Fame Talent

Jalen Carter looks special.

The Georgia defensive tackle (DT) jumped off the screen the first time I saw him, and he reminded me of Minnesota Vikings’ Hall of Fame DT Alan Page.

It wasn’t just because Carter wears the same jersey number either.

There are in fact a lot of striking similarities between the two when watching Carter, and then going back and watching highlights of one of Minnesota’s Purple People Eaters.

Despite the talent on the Bulldogs’ defensive line in 2021, Carter stood out as having the most pure talent of the entire group.

Carter has this awesome combination of length, freakish athleticism, raw brute bulldozing power and he is what I like to call, “quarterback minded,” meaning he shows a strong desire to get to the passer.

As a true freshman, Georgia brought him in on offense and lined him up in the backfield down by the goal-line before tossing a touchdown to him against Tennessee.

He lined up in the offensive backfield again last season versus Arkansas, and he blocked three players at the goal-line.

They just don’t make defensive tackles in the NFL like Carter.

There’s no question he will go top-five.

He could go as high as No. 2 overall.

Carter is disruptive as hell

There is so much emphasis placed on edge rushers, that there isn’t a whole lot of talk about guys who can be a constant source of disruption from the interior of the defensive line.

That’s because there are not many who can blow up the pocket in passing situations from the inside.

Carter can, and there is a premium on that.

A lot of these guys in the NFL are just guys who can hold the point and provide some push, but not enough that matters.

Carter had the second-most pressures on the unit last year (georgiadogs.com) with 33. He added three sacks playing in the rotation inside with Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt, who have since moved onto the NFL.

Those numbers scream disruptive.

The name of the game in the NFL is being able to pass and stop the pass. Having a constant source of disruption from the inside is going to be a game-changer for some lucky team at the next level.

Carter excites me

I’ve liked Carter from the moment I first saw him.

My NFL scouting mentor, a man with four Super Bowl rings told me, “Stick with the dynamic ones,” and Carter shows dynamic type of ability.

There are not many of these prospects that excite me. Most of these guys are just guys. They are nice role players.

That’s not this guy. There is just something about him.

I love watching Carter play.

#88 Jalen Carter 6-foot-3, 300 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round (Top 5) Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 96.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of September 18, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Clemson, Arkansas and Alabama (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation).

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 37 tackles (17 solo, 20 assists), 1 pass defended, 3 sacks and 33 pressures.

NFL comparable: Alan Page

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Extremely athletic and powerful with a lean looking frame, long arms, thick calves, quickness and desire. Versatile man mover. Lines up all along the line, often with his hand down in the dirt, but sometimes standing. Has this brute upper and draws a lot of power from his lower. Often causes a violent collision at the initial point of attack and creates separation to penetrate through gaps. Polished with an explosive trademark swim and quick acceleration up into the pocket. Showed spin too and ran a number of “X” stunts. There were a few reps he got stalemated and a couple he didn’t bring it, which seemed assignment based. Draws double teams. Against the run showed he can plow in or laterally come off a block to make solid wrapping form tackles. Just missed a few, but not due to lacking effort. He will chase out to the sidelines. Looks like a man among boys.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. What kind of numbers does he put up?
2. Does he look just as good if not better on his game film?
3. Does he look improved versus the run?
4. Is he slipping and losing his balance (few times on 2021 film)?

Carter is one to watch.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.