This former Clemson standout has stepped in and made a major immediate impact in his first NFL campaign.

Former Tiger linebacker Barrett Carter is having a highly impressive rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 119 overall pick).

Carter, a two-time All-American with the Tigers, is coming off a monster game last weekend.

Carter tallied 16 total tackles (eight solo) during Cincinnati’s 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.

According to the Bengals’ official website, it marks the second most tackles by a Bengals rookie since 1994, and his 16 tackles are also tied for the fourth most by any Bengal since 1994. Carter’s eight solo tackles are tied for the most by a Bengals defender in a game this season, as well.

“I don’t want to diminish what Barrett did yesterday,” Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden said after the game, via Cincinnati Bengals on SI. “We put Barrett in a couple of tough spots, but I mean 16 tackles and running the defense really well, that’s important. You can’t do it without that guy, so.”

Though Carter didn’t start his first game until Week 6, he is still tied for third on the Bengals’ defense with 78 total tackles. He has now posted double-digit tackles in four of the team’s last six games. He has played in 11 games so far this season, starting each of the last six.

Carter and the Bengals return to action on Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore (8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock).

During his four-year career at Clemson from 2021-24, Carter appeared in 52 games, with 40 of those being starts. He totaled 254 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

As a senior in 2024, Carter was a Butkus Award finalist, which is handed out annually to the nation’s best linebacker, and a first-team All-ACC selection.

–Photo courtesy of Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images