Tariq Carpenter’s draft stock is rising. The former Georgia Tech safety has earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, the top pre-NFL draft showcase game. The bowl made the announcement Thursday.
Carpenter will compete with top draft prospects in practices and the Feb. 5 game before an audience of scouts, coaches and decision-makers from all 32 NFL teams in Mobile, Ala. Carpenter, who started 41 games in his Yellow Jackets career, had his first showcase opportunity at the Hula Bowl in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month. This past season, Carpenter had 65 tackles in 12 games with three pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Carpenter is the first Tech player to be invited to the Senior Bowl since Justin Thomas took part in the 2017 event.
Carpenter’s teammate and close friend Juanyeh Thomas also received invitations to three games that bode well for his draft prospects. Thomas announced on social media Thursday that he has been invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, which follows the Senior Bowl in terms of drawing pre-draft talent. The Shrine Bowl will be played Feb. 3 in Las Vegas.
Thomas received invites to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl (this week in Pasadena, Calif.) and the Hula Bowl, but chose not to play in either. Perhaps most significant, he also was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
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