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Zachary Carter NFL Draft Profile
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Zachary Carter Scouting ReportZachary has experience playing as a 3-4 defensive end from his time with the Gators. Furthermore, he’s also lined up as a traditional outside defensive end in a four-man front. Carter has also been tasked with rushing the passer from the 3-technique and 5-technique alignment. Carter’s 6'4", 285-pound form would suggest he fits best on the interior of the defensive line at the next level. However, that would be a disservice to his ability as a genuine 4-3 defensive end prospect. Carter has shown flashes of natural bend as a pass rusher off the edge and demonstrates the use of swim, spin, and rip moves as a pass rusher. He’s blessed with decent length, which he puts to good use as a pass rusher. That length is also apparent when taking on blockers. He can use a single long arm to hold a blocker at bay. He possesses some impressive strength as a defensive line prospect. He can move offensive linemen and blocking tight ends with force at times. The Florida defensive lineman has demonstrated pop with his initial punch, with the ability to shock players when he makes clean contact. His strength is also apparent in how he goes into battle with double-team blocks that he faces regularly. While he may not have the same elite athletic profile as some defensive line prospects, Carter does show some lateral agility. There were multiple examples in the games studied where he appeared to attack the outside shoulder but seamlessly switched inside to attack from the inside shoulder. |
Areas for ImprovementHe needs to finish plays more routinely, as he can often be a little late to impact the quarterback as a pass rusher. This starts with timing his first step better at the line of scrimmage. While he flashes some impressive athletic traits, Carter needs to work on his reading of the game. In the contests studied, he was often fooled by RPO plays, where he would misdiagnose the ball carrier. |
Zachary Carter Career at FloridaDespite his senior season success, Carter didn’t make an immediate impact on his arrival in Gainesville. At 6’4″ and 250 pounds, he needed some physical refinement to meet the demands of college football. As a result, he redshirted his freshman campaign without seeing the field. Even in his redshirt freshman season, Carter saw little playing time. Although he saw action in nine games as a reserve defensive lineman, his standout contribution came on special teams. During a game against Charleston Southern, he became the first Florida player to block a kick since 2016. The 2019 college football season marked an uptick in both playing time and production. Appearing in 13 games, Carter earned his first two career starts against Vanderbilt and Missouri. He tallied 31 tackles, while his 4.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss both ranked second on the team. The Florida product had his first career forced fumble against South Carolina and a career-high 5 tackles against Auburn. Meanwhile, he ended the year on a high with 2 tackles for loss against FSU. Carter carried that momentum into the 2020 season. Following up on his previous year’s disruption, he produced a then career-high 9.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks — both team-leading. He was also named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the first time in his career, following an 8-tackle, 1.5-sack performance against South Carolina. Carter also showed a penchant for big-game performance in 2020. Despite missing the first half against Georgia due to a fight in the previous contest, the Florida defensive end tallied 5 quarterback hurries. In the SEC Championship Game, he abused Alabama to the tune of 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss. Those big-game outings earned Carter significant attention in NFL Draft circles. As a result, he was considered a potential 2021 NFL Draft prospect. Yet, the Florida defensive end had other ideas, prioritizing his long-term future over possible short-term success, as he told Gainesville.com. “I just know that this football stuff, it doesn’t last forever,” Carter said. “So it’s just good to have that degree. I think more guys should have that attitude towards football and schools, but everyone is in a different situation. But, that was a big thing for me.” |
Zachary Carter NFL Draft Player ProfileWhile his education might have been the prime driver behind a return to school, Carter’s NFL Draft stock might also have benefited from his decision. In the 2021 season opener against Florida Atlantic, Carter recorded a career-high 3 sacks and a forced fumble to begin his redshirt senior campaign in style. While the Florida defense has had its struggles, Carter is compiling a college career-defining season. With two games still to play at the time of writing, the defensive lineman has set new career highs with 10 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. He remains disruptive in all facets of the game, with 2 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble. Carter as the second-best Florida prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Gators’ defensive lineman is my 73rd overall prospect and the sixth-ranked defensive tackle in the recently released Pro Football Network Big Board. As a result, Carter should solidify himself as a Day 2 prospect throughout the rest of the year. |
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