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THREAD ALERT Michael Carter, RB, UNC
After he put up 308 rushing yards against Miami in his last game, Carter is climbing many draft boards, with potential 3-down value in the pros. But does he have the traits to be a workhorse at the pro level?
#ZoltanScouting2021
Age at start of 2021 season: 22.3 (4-year senior)
Player Comparison: Slightly faster Devin Singletary
Size: 5'8, 200 lbs.
Carterâs Freshman year, UNC often played up-tempo near the goal line, resulting in 8 RushTD on only 100 carries...
Player Comparison: Slightly faster Devin Singletary
Size: 5'8, 200 lbs.
Carterâs Freshman year, UNC often played up-tempo near the goal line, resulting in 8 RushTD on only 100 carries...
As a sophomore, he took over more of the traditional 3rd down back role, earning 25 receptions. He maintained this 3D role for his junior and senior seasons (21 and 25 catches, respectively), but really upped his rushing totals as an upperclassman, surpassing 1,000 each year...
His senior year was especially impressive, putting up 1,512 scrimmage yards, plus 8.0 YPC, while sharing the backfield with Javonte Williams (more of a bruiser, 2 down back). Full stats below.
Stats:
Rush / RushYd (YPC) / Rush TD + Rec / RecYd (YPR) / Rec TD
2017(11g): 97 / 559 (5.8) / 8 + 11 / 100 (9.1) / 1
2018(9g): 84 / 597 (7.1) / 2 + 25 / 135 (5.4) / 1
2019(13g): 177 / 1,003 (5.7) / 3 + 21 / 154 (7.3) / 2
2020(11g): 156 / 1,245 (8.0) / 9 + 25 / 267 (10.7) / 2
Rush / RushYd (YPC) / Rush TD + Rec / RecYd (YPR) / Rec TD
2017(11g): 97 / 559 (5.8) / 8 + 11 / 100 (9.1) / 1
2018(9g): 84 / 597 (7.1) / 2 + 25 / 135 (5.4) / 1
2019(13g): 177 / 1,003 (5.7) / 3 + 21 / 154 (7.3) / 2
2020(11g): 156 / 1,245 (8.0) / 9 + 25 / 267 (10.7) / 2
Strengths:
Patience, vision, decision-making
Smooth runner
Elusiveness (particularly jukes/jump cuts)
Getting skinny in the hole
Ball security - 0 career fumbles on 596 touches!
Pass Protection
Lower body contact balance
Deceleration/change of speeds
Patience, vision, decision-making Smooth runner Elusiveness (particularly jukes/jump cuts) Getting skinny in the hole Ball security - 0 career fumbles on 596 touches! Pass Protection Lower body contact balance Deceleration/change of speeds
Weaknesses:
Burst is sometimes okay, sometimes terrible
Inconsistent hands for a 3rd down weapon + underwhelming YPR
Inexperienced running from under center
Rarely string together consecutive moves, and no counter if the juke isnât working
Small + mediocre power
Burst is sometimes okay, sometimes terrible Inconsistent hands for a 3rd down weapon + underwhelming YPR Inexperienced running from under center Rarely string together consecutive moves, and no counter if the juke isnât working Small + mediocre power
Letâs get into the tape. Here he shows patience to set up the cutback lane, and look how both of his legs get completely perpendicular to the end zone, allowing him to get skinny through the hole. At the second level, he destroys two defenders with elusive jukes.
This was one of Carterâs best plays in the receiving game. His angle route gets cut off by the MLB, but he makes an excellent adjustment to his route to find the hole in the zone, and an awesome contested catch, absorbing a big hit. Again, angle from behind shows it the best.
Good vision, and look how he hesitates a little bit before hitting the 2nd level (watch the turf fly up), destroying the LBâs angle. Then he shows strong lower body contact balance. The replay is a great display of his strength and balance - crucial as an undersized, slower back.
Nothing too flashy here, but he gets upfield efficiently. Look at the little shuffle at the ~37 yd line to get both feet going downfield quickly, and he puts on another nice juke move in the secondary.
He shows patience in the backfield, keeping his feet moving and ready to attack the hole as the linemen move. Watch the way he high steps, and angles his knees and hips to get skinny through the hole - one of his best traits. Gotta point out that a faster RB might score here 
Pretty insane deceleration here. Completely wrong-foots the linebacker (and really the whole team), after a nice cutback.
Another example of his declaration/stutter move, this time on a swing pass. Yet, I have to point out, he runs out of bounds 2 yards short of the first down on 3rd and 3 at midfield⌠would have loved to see him finish with power here.
This play barely looks like Carter (in a good way). Not great patience outrunning his blocker, but shows surprising burst and agility on the hurdle to get a big gain. Shows he has some athletic upside.
For the most part, Carter ran simple swing routes, but here he uses that tendency to lull the linebacker into a false sense of security, then hits him on a wheel route in man coverage. This shows impressive burst and change of speed, resulting in an easy pitch and catch for 6.
Now we gotta hit on some negatives. For a guy who will probably rely on a PPR floor at the next level, he doesnât have natural hands. On easy catches he often uses his body, and he struggles on touch catches where he needs to use only his hands.
Just gonna throw this here... Burst is 
https://twitter.com/DynastyZoltanFF/status/1352320677823574023?s=20
https://twitter.com/DynastyZoltanFF/status/1352320677823574023?s=20
This play shows the best and worst of Carter. He shows good vision and patience to let the hole open up, but canât burst through to the second level despite the momentum/leverage advantage. When the holes get smaller, and the LBâs get faster, will he be able to produce?
Another play where he makes the right decision, but heâs just not athletic enough to make it happen.
Last video clip, watch these three plays on the same drive vs. Wake. All three times, Carter essentially runs right into the tackler. When the angle for the juke or jump cut isnât perfectly set up, he doesnât have many plan Bs to get by a guy.
Overall Impression:
Carter has good instincts, vision, and elusiveness, but a limited tool belt of moves. He's just an average receiver despite his build. His physical limitations limit his ceiling, but it's *possible* he establishes himself as the main back of a timeshare.
Carter has good instincts, vision, and elusiveness, but a limited tool belt of moves. He's just an average receiver despite his build. His physical limitations limit his ceiling, but it's *possible* he establishes himself as the main back of a timeshare.
2021 RB:
I have Carter behind Etienne, and on the same tier to Hubbard, with exact ranking depending on landing spot. Carter has a higher floor, but Hubbard has a higher ceiling. I wouldnât take Carter within the first 20 SF rookie picks, unless landing spot/DC is overwhelming.
I have Carter behind Etienne, and on the same tier to Hubbard, with exact ranking depending on landing spot. Carter has a higher floor, but Hubbard has a higher ceiling. I wouldnât take Carter within the first 20 SF rookie picks, unless landing spot/DC is overwhelming.
Thanks again to everyone who got this far! Would love to hear your thoughts on Carter, or suggestions on my scouting process in general. As always, I would appreciate a follow and RT if you like my work!
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I forgot best fits, and 1 comes to mind - whatever team signs Marlon Mack, he and Carter would make a great 1-2 
