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."
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."
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"
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."
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."
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."
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."
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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!!
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