Georgia’s most important players of 2016: No. 10, Reggie Carter
This is the third in a series that will run three times a week over the next four weeks, leading into SEC media days.
Reggie Carter is entering his fourth season on the Georgia football team. He’s started one solitary game, and it was because of an equipment malfunction.
Midway through the 2013, in Carter’s true freshman season, starting inside linebacker Ramik Wilson was about to take the field against Missouri when Wilson realized he didn’t have on a technical piece of equipment that players refer to as a “helmet.” So while Wilson looked around for it, coaches sent in Carter, and after a couple plays he came off the field for Wilson.
10. REGGIE CARTER
Junior
Inside linebacker
WHY HE'S VITAL: There's been no proclamation, and there's no official depth chart, but Carter certainly seemed to earn one of the two starting spots with a strong spring. Patrick and Carter were with the first-team defense on G-Day. So why not lump Carter with Patrick, or even with Kimbrough? Because Carter offers a skill set and experience that, if he can stay healthy and play up to his position, will act as a stabilizing force on what is a very green front seven. Carter isn't huge (he's listed at 6-1 and 228 pounds) but he's known for his speed, tackling ability and intangibles: Leadership, smarts and nose for the ball. If Carter can be the captain of the front seven and dependable run stopper, that will be an immense help to Georgia's entire defense.
QUOTABLE: "I've been pleased with Reggie. He doesn't seem to have any instability in his shoulder. He's not holding back, not playing tentative, for a guy that went through that shoulder surgery." – Kirby Smart, during spring practice
BEST CASE: Carter wraps up the starting spot, then brings leadership and stability to the front seven throughout the season. He matches or comes close to Ganus' numbers last year (102 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, one sack), and helps Georgia's run defense improve, after ranking eighth in the SEC last year.
WORST CASE: Either the injury bug returns, or Carter doesn't end up being an asset in a full-time role. Georgia is forced to rely on less experienced players at inside linebacker, and it has a ripple effect on the rest of the defense.
FINAL WORD: Georgia's defense, and inside linebacker spots, could still be fine even without Carter. Witness last year's ranking. But will Patrick, Kimbrough or Smith turn out to be as productive as Ganus? Maybe, but it's easier to envision Carter emerging as the young front seven's much-needed leader.
