Lorenzo Carter Bio
Lorenzo Lemuel Carter is an American former professional football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Carter spent his career with the Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans, establishing himself as a reliable edge rusher and special teams contributor during his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Lorenzo Lemuel Carter was born on December 10, 1995, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in Georgia and attended Norcross High School, where he developed into a highly decorated high school football player. Carter earned a spot on the USA Today All-USA High School Football Team following his senior season in 2013, showcasing his talent as a dominant defensive end.
As a 4-star recruit, Carter received interest from numerous college football programs across the country. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Georgia, selecting the Bulldogs over prominent programs including Alabama, Florida, LSU, and Notre Dame.
Path to Professional Football
At Georgia, Carter played under head coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart from 2014 to 2017. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman, appearing in 13 games with 5 starts and earning the University of Georgia newcomer of the year award. His performance demonstrated his ability to compete at the collegiate level against some of the nation’s top offenses.
After the 2016 season, there was speculation that Carter might enter the NFL draft. He chose to return to Georgia for his senior season, a decision that proved beneficial for his development. During his career at Georgia, Carter played in 54 games with 26 starts, recording 166 total tackles, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and 1 defensive touchdown. His consistency and leadership earned him Second Team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior in 2017.
Lorenzo Carter Career
Pre-Draft and Combine Performance
Leading up to the 2018 NFL draft, Carter attended the NFL Scouting Combine where he impressed scouts with his athletic abilities. Among all edge rushers, he finished first in the broad jump, second in the 40-yard dash, and third in the vertical jump. His performance solidified his draft stock, with NFL experts projecting him as a second-round pick. He was ranked as the second-best outside linebacker by DraftScout.com and the fifth-best defensive end by Scouts Inc.
Carter participated at Georgia’s pro day on March 21, 2018, opting to stand on his combine numbers and only performing positional drills. He also attended pre-draft visits and private workouts with several NFL teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings.
New York Giants (2018–2021)
The New York Giants selected Lorenzo Carter in the third round with the 66th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He became the eighth linebacker drafted in 2018. On May 10, 2018, the Giants signed Carter to a four-year contract worth $4.08 million, which included a signing bonus of $1.04 million. He made his NFL debut early in his rookie season and recorded his first professional sack in Week 3 against the Houston Texans.
During the 2019 season, Carter continued to develop as a pass rusher. In Week 6 against the New England Patriots, he forced a fumble on future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. The fumble was recovered by teammate Markus Golden and returned for a touchdown in a 35-14 loss. Carter finished that season as the Giants’ second-leading sacker with 4.5 sacks.
In 2020, Carter entered the season as one of the Giants’ starting pass rushers. However, his campaign was cut short when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 5. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 19. Carter returned in 2021 and achieved his first career interception in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, picking off quarterback Dak Prescott.
Atlanta Falcons (2022–2024)
On March 22, 2022, Carter signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons worth up to $3.5 million with $2 million guaranteed. He made an immediate impact in his debut season with the Falcons. In Week 2 against the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, linebacker Troy Andersen blocked a punt, and Carter recovered the loose ball and returned it for a special teams touchdown in the 31-27 loss.
Carter continued his productive play throughout the 2022 season. In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, he recorded a pick-six off quarterback P.J. Walker in a 37-34 victory. Overall, Carter started all 17 games for the Falcons in 2022, recording 58 total tackles, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown.
On March 7, 2023, Carter re-signed with the Falcons on a two-year contract worth up to $9 million, with $5.25 million guaranteed. During the 2023 season, he played in all 17 games with one start, recording 35 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, a career-high 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass deflection.
Tennessee Titans (2025)
On March 20, 2025, Carter signed with the Tennessee Titans. However, on July 22, 2025, he announced his retirement from professional football, concluding a seven-season NFL career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carter was known for his speed and athleticism as an edge rusher. His 40-yard dash time and vertical leap at the NFL Combine ranked among the best for his position group. He demonstrated versatility as both a pass rusher and run defender, showing the ability to drop into coverage when needed. His special teams contributions, including blocked punt recoveries and interception returns for touchdowns, showcased his football intelligence and playmaking ability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Carter achieved several memorable moments. Forcing a fumble on Tom Brady during the 2019 season represented a highlight against one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks. His pick-six against the Panthers in 2022 and special teams touchdown against the Rams demonstrated his ability to make game-changing plays in various situations. Completing a full 17-game season as a starter with the Falcons in 2022 and appearing in all 17 games during the 2023 season showed his durability and reliability.
Lorenzo Carter Career Statistics
Across seven NFL seasons with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans, Carter established himself as a productive linebacker. His career totals include 278 total tackles, 21.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 18 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns.
New York Giants Highlights
During his four seasons with the Giants from 2018 to 2021, Carter contributed as a rotational player and eventual starter. His rookie season included his first professional sack, while his 2019 campaign saw him finish second on the team with 4.5 sacks. The 2020 season was cut short by injury, but he returned in 2021 to record his first career interception.
Atlanta Falcons Highlights
Carter’s time with the Falcons represented some of his most productive professional football. The 2022 season saw him start all 17 games, record 4 sacks, and score 2 touchdowns (one special teams, one defensive). His 2023 season included 3 sacks and career-high 2 fumble recoveries while appearing in every game.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | New York Giants | 16 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | New York Giants | 16 | 45 | 4.5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | New York Giants | 5 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | New York Giants | 16 | 40 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | Atlanta Falcons | 17 | 58 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Atlanta Falcons | 17 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Lorenzo Carter Family
Family Background
While specific details about Carter’s family members are not extensively documented in public sources, his path from high school standout to college athlete at a major program demonstrates the support system required for NFL success.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the conclusion of Carter’s professional football career. After signing with the Tennessee Titans in March 2025, Carter made the decision to retire in July 2025. His retirement brought an end to a seven-year NFL career that included 278 total tackles, 21.5 sacks, and memorable plays with both the Giants and Falcons. Carter’s ability to contribute on defense and special teams made him a valuable player throughout his career, and his versatility allowed him to remain in the NFL for seven seasons with three different organizations.