JACKSONVILLE – The 2023 season may not be the perfect season Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter wished for, yet he capped it off with a performance worth of the captain patch he’s planning to earn next year.

Carter went back-and-forth between heading to the NFL with fellow Tiger linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., but he elected to return and did so in great fashion. With his partner-in-crime opting out, he led the Clemson defense and made a multitude of key plays in the victory.

In the process, Carter dropped two interceptions early that he said postgame should’ve been his and had real chances to end up in the end zone. Even after the missed opportunities, the Tigers veteran created another one and detailed the tip-drill moment during the four-takeaway flurry in the fourth quarter.

“I saw he was about to throw the ball so I got my hands up and I saw the ball, it went behind me. Usually, when you bat a ball down, it goes back towards the quarterback or somewhere like that. So I saw it went behind me so I knew I had the chance to get it and just super fortunate I was able to make the play. Just huge momentum for our team and it was a spark that was much needed with us,” Carter said.

Before the season, it was a likely conclusion that Carter would go to the NFL but now Wes Goodwin gets back one of the most talented linebackers in the country for his senior campaign. The young group of players are also beneficiaries to his return.

Think of the No. 1 linebacker in the 2024 class in Sammy Brown coming in and learning next to Carter. Now think about having those two on the field together. That’s how spoiled Clemson is with his decision to return and freshman defensive back Khalil Barnes detailed how invaluable Carter is for next year.

“I don’t got no stress, none of that with that guy with me,” Barnes said. I believe he can fill any gap if I’m a little late to a gap and I trust him. We will be special next year, trust.”