A former Clemson defender came up with his first career NFL interception on Sunday in Week 16 of the NFL season.

Former Tiger linebacker Barrett Carter, now in his rookie campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals, picked off former Texas quarterback and current Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers during the Bengals’ eventual 45-21 victory over the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Carter’s interception came with 9:25 left in the third quarter when Ewers’ pass over the middle was deflected around midfield, and Carter returned the interception 16 yards to the Dolphins 35-yard line, setting up a Bengals touchdown two plays later that gave them a 31-14 lead.

Ironically, Carter’s pick occurred exactly one year after he and Clemson lost to Ewers and Texas in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff on Dec. 21, 2024.

A two-time All-American at Clemson, Carter is having an impressive rookie season with the Bengals after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 119 overall pick). The 6-foot, 231-pounder has tallied 98 total tackles (one for loss), three passes defended and the interception in 15 games (10 starts).

Though Carter didn’t start his first game until Week 6, he is still tied for second on the team in total tackles and has recorded double-digit tackles in four games. He had as many as 16 tackles against the New England Patriots in Week 12. According to the Bengals’ official website, it marked the second most tackles by a Bengals rookie since 1994, and his 16 tackles tied for the fourth most by any Bengal since 1994.

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.

Carter and the Bengals return to action this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

–Photo courtesy of Katie Stratman-Imagn Images