Cincinnati Bengals select Barrett Carter in fourth round of 2025 NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals have selected Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter with the 119th pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He had an impactful four-year career with the Tigers and will now look to carry that over into the pros.

Carter was named a third team All-American this past season in addition to first team All-ACC and being a Butkus Award finalist. He finished second on the team with 82 total tackles in addition to 3.5 sacks, nine passes defended and a fumble recovery across 14 starts. Clemson won the ACC Championship and advanced to the College Football Playoff but lost in the first round.

Carter was a three-year starter for the Tigers after playing 12 games as a true freshman in 2021. He ends his career with 254 tackles (31.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He is one of five linebackers in the Dabo Swinney era to be named to the All-ACC team twice (2022, 2024).

Carter played high school football at North Gwinnett (GA), where he was a five-star prospect in the 2021 class. He ranked as the No. 28 overall player and No. 2 linebacker in the cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Barrett Carter

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provided some additional analysis on Carter in his recent scout of the linebacker’s draft profile. He compared him to current Texans linebacker Christian Harris, who was a third-round pick out of Alabama in 2022.

Zierlein noted that Carter improved his draft stock by adding muscle this past season while not sacrificing his speed. He also praised his ability to operate both in the pass rush or in man coverage, putting his potential at being a capable starter in the pros.

“Prototypical three-down linebacker who added muscle mass in 2024 without losing playmaking quickness,” he wrote. “Carter overcomes average instincts and recognition with full-field range and elite body control in pursuit, though there is room for improvement with both his angles and leverage.

“Carter can play around or off the block and has the agility and reaction quickness for sudden adjustments as an open-field tackler. He’s capable in man coverage and stands out as both a blitzer and a spy for mobile quarterbacks. Carter’s demeanor, versatility and athletic profile give him a good chance of becoming a quality starter as a run-and-chase Will linebacker.