Quinton Carter of Oklahoma ~ 6.1/210
"Looks bigger than his frame would indicate and has the ability to really bring the wood as a tackler. Showcases good read and diagnose skills in the secondary and has a real nose for the ball. Recognizes routes quickly and consistently is moving toward the action from the deep half. Does a nice job timing up plays and disengaging the ball from man on contact, but also knows how to play the throw and exhibits good ball skills down the field.
However, lacks ideal straight-line speed when asked to run sideline-to-sideline and seems to only have one gear. Isn't real fluid in his drop, either, and allows himself to get a bit high at times, which causes him to struggle cleanly getting out of his breaks and back up to speed quickly.
Does a nice job picking his way through traffic and knows how to break down and tackle inside the box vs. the run game. However, my biggest complaint is that he will get caught overrunning angles, giving up far too many additional yards instead of properly breaking down and wrapping up on contact. Consistently sees his angle outrun when asked to break down in space.
Impression: A physical kid who likes to throw his body around and showcases good overall instincts when asked to find the football. However, his lack of ideal range and fluidity out of his breaks will limit his effectiveness at the next level. Looks more like a number three safety to me, but has some starting potential."
However, lacks ideal straight-line speed when asked to run sideline-to-sideline and seems to only have one gear. Isn't real fluid in his drop, either, and allows himself to get a bit high at times, which causes him to struggle cleanly getting out of his breaks and back up to speed quickly.
Does a nice job picking his way through traffic and knows how to break down and tackle inside the box vs. the run game. However, my biggest complaint is that he will get caught overrunning angles, giving up far too many additional yards instead of properly breaking down and wrapping up on contact. Consistently sees his angle outrun when asked to break down in space.
Impression: A physical kid who likes to throw his body around and showcases good overall instincts when asked to find the football. However, his lack of ideal range and fluidity out of his breaks will limit his effectiveness at the next level. Looks more like a number three safety to me, but has some starting potential."
"Read & React: Heady defender against the run and pass. Very quick to close on bubble screens whether lined up in man or coming down the hash. Capable of moving to the sideline quickly from the two-deep look, though he is sometimes a step late to recognize when the corner needs help. Comes off his coverage to close on the ball while it's in the air, often gets to the receiver as the ball arrives or a split second later.
Man Coverage: Athletic safety who can step up to play outside or in the slot, if needed. Asked to jump out on receivers on corner blitzes, can stay with them down the sideline or on the hot route over the middle. Needs work staying low and over his feet in his backpedal, as well as using his hands to prevent separation and knock receivers off their routes at the line.
Zone Coverage: Has the speed and playmaking ability to be an effective two-deep centerfielder. Closes to the ball in a hurry to make bone-jarring hits, forcing fumbles or incompletions. Owns good hands for the interception whether the ball is thrown at his numbers or in a jump-ball situation. Adjusts well to balls thrown behind him. Noses up against the run and when the quarterback scrambles, leaving his corner on an island if his man heads downfield. Late to get to the sideline at times, even when there is no threat of a run.
Closing/Recovery: Excellent closing speed to attack receivers and running backs in space. Plants and drives forward with a nice burst to the ball. Effective blitzer because of his speed and timing. Fair recovery speed and change-of-direction ability for a safety; can catch up to receivers if beaten on a quick initial move. Takes aggressive angles because of his speed, elusive NFL runners may take advantage of that.
Run Support: Headhunter in run support, attacking plays whether playing near the line or well off. Chases down ballcarriers from sideline to sideline. Willing to lower shoulder into lead blocks so others can make the play, but lacks great strength to take on linemen and disengage to make plays.
Tackling: Solid tackler who is a reliable last line of defense because of his athleticism and aggressive style. Is an intimidating presence, loves to lay the wood on the sideline and over the middle (will get penalized for big shots late, was actually thrown out of practices for being too jacked up). Will be the second or third man into the pile, forcing it backwards on most occasions by bringing his hips and keeping his feet moving. Comes in high on some tackles, grabbing shoulder pads and allowing shorter or stronger players to slip away.
Intangibles: Exceptional leader on the field and in the locker room. Receiving degree in sociology with a non-profit organization studies, but already has started has own non-profit called SOUL (Serving Others with Unity and Leadership) to help kids in the Las Vegas area. Redshirted the 2007 season with a severely pulled hamstring, also missed the beginning of the 2008 season with surgery on a slightly torn knee ligament."
Man Coverage: Athletic safety who can step up to play outside or in the slot, if needed. Asked to jump out on receivers on corner blitzes, can stay with them down the sideline or on the hot route over the middle. Needs work staying low and over his feet in his backpedal, as well as using his hands to prevent separation and knock receivers off their routes at the line.
Zone Coverage: Has the speed and playmaking ability to be an effective two-deep centerfielder. Closes to the ball in a hurry to make bone-jarring hits, forcing fumbles or incompletions. Owns good hands for the interception whether the ball is thrown at his numbers or in a jump-ball situation. Adjusts well to balls thrown behind him. Noses up against the run and when the quarterback scrambles, leaving his corner on an island if his man heads downfield. Late to get to the sideline at times, even when there is no threat of a run.
Closing/Recovery: Excellent closing speed to attack receivers and running backs in space. Plants and drives forward with a nice burst to the ball. Effective blitzer because of his speed and timing. Fair recovery speed and change-of-direction ability for a safety; can catch up to receivers if beaten on a quick initial move. Takes aggressive angles because of his speed, elusive NFL runners may take advantage of that.
Run Support: Headhunter in run support, attacking plays whether playing near the line or well off. Chases down ballcarriers from sideline to sideline. Willing to lower shoulder into lead blocks so others can make the play, but lacks great strength to take on linemen and disengage to make plays.
Tackling: Solid tackler who is a reliable last line of defense because of his athleticism and aggressive style. Is an intimidating presence, loves to lay the wood on the sideline and over the middle (will get penalized for big shots late, was actually thrown out of practices for being too jacked up). Will be the second or third man into the pile, forcing it backwards on most occasions by bringing his hips and keeping his feet moving. Comes in high on some tackles, grabbing shoulder pads and allowing shorter or stronger players to slip away.
Intangibles: Exceptional leader on the field and in the locker room. Receiving degree in sociology with a non-profit organization studies, but already has started has own non-profit called SOUL (Serving Others with Unity and Leadership) to help kids in the Las Vegas area. Redshirted the 2007 season with a severely pulled hamstring, also missed the beginning of the 2008 season with surgery on a slightly torn knee ligament."
"It’s not often that a player with Carter’s talent ends up just being a two star recruit coming out of high school. Carter is a product of Cheyenne High School, and he made an impact at Oklahoma almost immediately. Carter could be a nice steal in the middle rounds.
Carter has benefited from playing in many different defensive schemes with the Sooners, and he has been quite versatile for them as well. He has been quite productive in his career with Oklahoma, and has all of the talent to succeed at the next level.
Strengths
Carter’s versatility makes him quite special. He can play both safety positions, and is excellent in zone coverage. He does well in breaking on the football and using his exceptional instincts to make plays on the ball. He doesn’t have the greatest hands, but they are sufficient enough. Carter does well in change of direction, and excels when in two deep coverage formats. He is a big hitter over the middle and isn’t afraid to lay out and make a tackle. He gets a great knee bend and gets low on his back pedal.
Weaknesses
Carter needs to work on breaking down when making tackles in the open field. He needs to drive through tackles and work on wrapping up consistently. His speed isn’t going to be extremely coveted. He has good, but not great speed, which is why we won’t see him playing centerfield as often. He has the change of direction ability to play corner, but he will be limited to mostly zone coverage. Sometimes he plays a bit stiff, and isn’t always consistent when turning his hips.
Draft Range
Carter could go as early as the late 2nd round, but the mid-3rd/early 4th round seems ideal for him. Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Baltimore and Atlanta will all take a hard look at him at the end of the 3rd round. Look for Carter to slip no further than pick 97 overall, which puts him at the top of the 4th round.
NFL Comparison: Kerry Rhodes"
Carter has benefited from playing in many different defensive schemes with the Sooners, and he has been quite versatile for them as well. He has been quite productive in his career with Oklahoma, and has all of the talent to succeed at the next level.
Strengths
Carter’s versatility makes him quite special. He can play both safety positions, and is excellent in zone coverage. He does well in breaking on the football and using his exceptional instincts to make plays on the ball. He doesn’t have the greatest hands, but they are sufficient enough. Carter does well in change of direction, and excels when in two deep coverage formats. He is a big hitter over the middle and isn’t afraid to lay out and make a tackle. He gets a great knee bend and gets low on his back pedal.
Weaknesses
Carter needs to work on breaking down when making tackles in the open field. He needs to drive through tackles and work on wrapping up consistently. His speed isn’t going to be extremely coveted. He has good, but not great speed, which is why we won’t see him playing centerfield as often. He has the change of direction ability to play corner, but he will be limited to mostly zone coverage. Sometimes he plays a bit stiff, and isn’t always consistent when turning his hips.
Draft Range
Carter could go as early as the late 2nd round, but the mid-3rd/early 4th round seems ideal for him. Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Baltimore and Atlanta will all take a hard look at him at the end of the 3rd round. Look for Carter to slip no further than pick 97 overall, which puts him at the top of the 4th round.
NFL Comparison: Kerry Rhodes"
"Bio: Two-year starter named All-American last season. All-Conference selection after his junior and senior campaigns. Totals last year included 96/4/6 after 88/4/5 the prior year.
Positive: Physical, aggressive safety who is best between the numbers. Explosive up the field, voluntarily defends the run and screen plays, and aggressively drives his shoulders into ball carriers. Displays a burst of straight-line speed, constantly around the action, and works well with cornerbacks. Somewhat effective in zone coverage facing the action.
Negative: Does not consistently position himself against opponents to make plays on the ball. Struggles getting outside the numbers. Too quick up the field at times and gets caught out of position.
Analysis: Carter is a productive run-defending safety who possesses average ball skills. He offers potential in a zone system that does not require him to cover a large amount of area on the field."
Positive: Physical, aggressive safety who is best between the numbers. Explosive up the field, voluntarily defends the run and screen plays, and aggressively drives his shoulders into ball carriers. Displays a burst of straight-line speed, constantly around the action, and works well with cornerbacks. Somewhat effective in zone coverage facing the action.
Negative: Does not consistently position himself against opponents to make plays on the ball. Struggles getting outside the numbers. Too quick up the field at times and gets caught out of position.
Analysis: Carter is a productive run-defending safety who possesses average ball skills. He offers potential in a zone system that does not require him to cover a large amount of area on the field."
"Positives: Terrific production the last two seasons (185 tackles, eight interceptions)... Has good pop, will make some big hits, physical presence over the middle... Good awareness and instincts, knows tendencies and usually puts himself in good position to make a play... Has adequate speed (4.50-40) and possesses good range in deep coverage, can cover a lot of ground by taking good angles... Is a heady player and good leader, an overall competitor... Durability not much of an issue, has not sustained any serious injuries... Pretty good at finding the ball in the air, gets head around and goes after it, has reasonably good ball skills and has been known to make acrobatic catches... Man coverage skills are adequate, has enough quickness to hang tough on short and intermediate routes against slot receivers.
Negatives: Just average bulk, has good height for the position, but appears slightly on the thin side... Inconsistency perhaps his biggest flaw, looks very good at times, but blows coverages too regularly and misses a lot of tackles in the open field... Needs to work on body control and flexibility, plays a little too stiff at times, not a superior athlete for the position... Upside might be limited, not versatile enough to be a good fit in any system."
Negatives: Just average bulk, has good height for the position, but appears slightly on the thin side... Inconsistency perhaps his biggest flaw, looks very good at times, but blows coverages too regularly and misses a lot of tackles in the open field... Needs to work on body control and flexibility, plays a little too stiff at times, not a superior athlete for the position... Upside might be limited, not versatile enough to be a good fit in any system."
"Overview: Two-year starter; Thorpe award candidate. 2009: Team's second leading tackler.
Strengths: Natural free safety and one of the best players at his position in the nation. Smooth athlete with range and anticipation. Jumps patterns and has the hands for the interception. Primarily plays deep, but reads screens and can come up to force the run. Can lay the big hit and has displayed solid tackling fundamentals. Doesn't give up the deep ball.
Weaknesses: Not overly big or rugged, and doesn't have the frame to put on much muscle. Occasionally will duck his head and miss tackles, and sometimes will hit a player late on the sidelines. Not used much in man coverage.
Projection: Second or third-round choice and a future starter at the FS position. In a passing league such as the NFL, Carter has a chance to shine, and his best ball should be in front of him."
Strengths: Natural free safety and one of the best players at his position in the nation. Smooth athlete with range and anticipation. Jumps patterns and has the hands for the interception. Primarily plays deep, but reads screens and can come up to force the run. Can lay the big hit and has displayed solid tackling fundamentals. Doesn't give up the deep ball.
Weaknesses: Not overly big or rugged, and doesn't have the frame to put on much muscle. Occasionally will duck his head and miss tackles, and sometimes will hit a player late on the sidelines. Not used much in man coverage.
Projection: Second or third-round choice and a future starter at the FS position. In a passing league such as the NFL, Carter has a chance to shine, and his best ball should be in front of him."
"It took Quinton Carter a little time to find his way into the Oklahoma rotation. As a true freshman in 2006, Carter played in just five games on special teams and tallied one tackle; in 2007 he redshirted. By 2008 Carter made a couple of starts when the Sooners started an extra defensive back. Yet, he was a big role player off of the bench despite his lack of starts and ended the season tallying 36 tackles. By his junior campaign Carter was finally starting at the free safety spot and had a fine season. He finished the regular season as Oklahoma's second leading tackler with 80 stops and picked off three passes. In the Sun Bowl victory over Stanford, Carter added eight more tackles and another interception. For his efforts Carter earned a variety of All-Big 12 accolades.
The honors should keep rolling in during Carter's senior season. Through ten games the 6-1, 200 pound Las Vegas, Nevada native totaled 71 tackles and two interceptions. Carter will even occasionally get into the backfield and has 2.0 tackles-for-loss this season and 5.0 in his collegiate career.
Carter is a big hitter who has the size and the speed to be a great free safety at the next level. Carter is arguably the best free safety in this class and he should hear his name called during the second or third round if he keeps performing as well as he has over the last two years."
The honors should keep rolling in during Carter's senior season. Through ten games the 6-1, 200 pound Las Vegas, Nevada native totaled 71 tackles and two interceptions. Carter will even occasionally get into the backfield and has 2.0 tackles-for-loss this season and 5.0 in his collegiate career.
Carter is a big hitter who has the size and the speed to be a great free safety at the next level. Carter is arguably the best free safety in this class and he should hear his name called during the second or third round if he keeps performing as well as he has over the last two years."
"Oklahoma's Quinton Carter is an excellent all-around safety who has the look of a future starter in the NFL. Carter may not be the best in man coverage duties, but he can do anything else a team would want."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on Quinton Carter
When I evaluate any prospect, 1% of it derives from my own analysis of The Tape, and 99% of it is my evaluation of the evaluators: Those guys, quoted and linked, above, whose expertise DWARFS mine.
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Quinton Carter doesn't have the Range I'd like to see in a Free Safety. His Long Speed is mediocre, and his Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ is pretty bad.
He does have good Diagnostic Skills and Processing Speed, and an Instinct for the Ball. A great Hitter, too.
But his limitations of Range have me thinking that he'd be best as a 3rd Strong Safety. Indeed, I'll bet he'd make a damned good Rover.
In a barren Free Safety Market, he's projected to go in the 2nd Round, which I think far exceeds his likely impact.
Over Rated!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
***
Quinton Carter doesn't have the Range I'd like to see in a Free Safety. His Long Speed is mediocre, and his Verticity ~ Turn + Burn Acuity ~ is pretty bad.
He does have good Diagnostic Skills and Processing Speed, and an Instinct for the Ball. A great Hitter, too.
But his limitations of Range have me thinking that he'd be best as a 3rd Strong Safety. Indeed, I'll bet he'd make a damned good Rover.
In a barren Free Safety Market, he's projected to go in the 2nd Round, which I think far exceeds his likely impact.
Over Rated!!
***
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
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