Michael Carter

Michael Carter Bio

Michael Carter (born May 7, 1999) is an American professional football running back who currently plays for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Okinawa, Japan, Carter grew up in Navarre, Florida, and developed into one of the most productive running backs in North Carolina Tar Heels history before entering the NFL. The New York Jets selected Carter in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has since built a solid professional career spanning multiple teams, including the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Titans in 2026.

Early Life and Background

Carter was born in Japan, where his father played professional football in the X-League. His family relocated to Florida when he was a toddler, and he grew up in Navarre, Florida. Carter attended Navarre High School, where he initially made an impact as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending injury during his junior year, rushing for 526 yards and nine touchdowns in limited action. Despite the setback, he returned stronger as a senior, accumulating 2,536 rushing yards and 3,345 all-purpose yards along with 45 total touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him Florida Offensive Player of the Year honors from USA Today.

Carter’s success at Navarre High School attracted attention from several major college programs. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of North Carolina, selecting the Tar Heels over offers from Florida, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. His decision to attend North Carolina proved instrumental in shaping his development as a professional prospect.

Path to Professional Football

Carter arrived at North Carolina as a highly-touted recruit and immediately contributed as a true freshman, rushing for 559 yards on 97 carries and scoring eight touchdowns during the 2017 season. His freshman performance established him as a foundational piece of the Tar Heels’ offense. As a sophomore in 2018, he continued his development with 597 rushing yards and two touchdowns while also showcasing his versatility as a receiver with 25 catches for 135 yards and an additional score.

The 2019 season marked Carter’s emergence as one of the ACC’s premier backs. He earned third-team All-ACC honors after rushing for 1,003 yards and three touchdowns while adding 21 receptions for 154 yards and two more scores. However, his senior season in 2020 became the defining chapter of his collegiate career. Carter exploded onto the national scene with a historic performance against Miami, where he and fellow running back Javonte Williams combined for 544 rushing yards, setting the NCAA record for most rushing yards by two running backs in a single game. Carter alone contributed 308 yards and two touchdowns in that contest.

Carter was named ACC Running Back of the Week following his 214-yard, two-touchdown performance against Virginia Tech on October 10, 2020. He finished the 2020 season with 1,245 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, plus 267 receiving yards and two scores through the air. His single-season rushing total ranked eighth all-time among Tar Heel running backs. He earned third-team All-American honors and was named first-team All-ACC for his efforts. Carter’s 3,403 career rushing yards rank fourth in school history. He was also named a finalist for the 2020 Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation’s most versatile player.

Michael Carter Career

New York Jets (2021–2023)

The New York Jets selected Michael Carter with the 107th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 4, 2021. Carter made his first career start in Week 3 of his rookie season and scored his first professional touchdown in Week 4 during a 27–24 victory over the Tennessee Titans. His rookie campaign showed promise despite adversity, as he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 11 that required him to be placed on injured reserve on November 27. He returned to action in December and finished the 2021 season with 639 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, plus 325 receiving yards through 36 catches. His 639 rushing yards ranked fourth among all NFL rookies that season.

The 2022 season saw Carter serve as a more established piece of the Jets’ offense. He recorded his first multi-touchdown game in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, scoring two rushing touchdowns in a 40–17 victory. Carter appeared in 16 games with ten starts, accumulating 402 rushing yards and three touchdowns to go along with 41 receptions for 288 receiving yards. While his numbers dipped from his rookie season, he continued to demonstrate versatility as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. The Jets released Carter on November 14, 2023, concluding his tenure with the organization.

Arizona Cardinals (2023–2025)

One day after his release from the Jets, Carter was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on November 15, 2023. He joined a Cardinals team seeking to rebuild their rushing attack and provide support for their young offense. Carter’s time in Arizona featured several roster moves as he competed for playing time. He was waived during final roster cuts in August 2024 but re-signed to the practice squad. The Cardinals promoted him to the active roster on January 1, 2025, for the final stretch of the 2024 season.

During the 2025 season, Carter continued his journeyman path with the Cardinals organization. He was waived again during final roster cuts in August 2025, re-joining the practice squad. Following another promotion to the active roster in September, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad again in late October before earning another promotion in November. This pattern reflected Carter’s role as a reliable depth piece and special teams contributor for Arizona. Throughout his tenure with the Cardinals, Carter demonstrated the same qualities that made him an effective player: patience behind the offensive line, quick cut-back ability, and reliable hands out of the backfield.

Tennessee Titans (2026–Present)

On April 1, 2026, Carter signed with the Tennessee Titans, marking a new chapter in his NFL career. The move represented an opportunity to compete for a more prominent role with a franchise looking to establish its ground game. Carter joined a Titans backfield that valued physical, between-the-tackles running, a style that aligned with his strengths as a patient runner with excellent vision and balance.

Driving Style and Strengths

Carter’s running style emphasizes patience and vision. He possesses the ability to read blocks developing in front of him before committing to a hole, allowing him to find cut-back lanes when initial gaps are closed. His 5-foot-8 frame contributes to a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to bring down in one-on-one situations. Carter displays excellent balance through contact, often bouncing off arm tackles and gaining additional yards after initial contact. As a receiver, he provides reliable hands out of the backfield, giving quarterbacks a safe check-down option. His size limits his goal-line effectiveness, but his elusiveness in space makes him a threat on screens and swing passes.

Notable Events and Milestones

Carter’s most celebrated college achievement remains the historic 308-yard rushing performance against Miami in 2020, when he and teammate Javonte Williams set the NCAA record for combined rushing yards by a duo in a single game. In the NFL, his 639-yard rookie season with the Jets established him as a legitimate professional contributor. His consistency as a receiver, with over 1,000 career receiving yards through the 2025 season, highlights his value as a dual-threat back capable of staying on the field in all situations.

Michael Carter Career Wins

Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, Carter has accumulated 1,692 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns on the ground, along with 145 receptions for 1,038 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. His most productive season came as a rookie in 2021, when he eclipsed 600 rushing yards while adding over 300 receiving yards. His versatility as a receiver has consistently translated to the professional level.

NFL Highlights

Carter’s rookie season in 2021 stands as the statistical highlight of his professional career thus far. He finished fourth among all NFL rookies in rushing yards with 639, demonstrating his ability to compete at the sport’s highest level. His first career touchdown in Week 4 against the Titans provided an early glimpse of his potential. The 2022 season saw him score a career-high two rushing touchdowns in a single game against Miami. His ability to contribute both as a runner and receiver has remained a consistent thread throughout his career.

Other Achievements

Prior to his NFL career, Carter earned Third-team All-American honors and First-team All-ACC recognition following his standout 2020 season at North Carolina. He was named a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, recognizing the nation’s most versatile player. His 3,403 career rushing yards at North Carolina rank fourth all-time in school history, cementing his legacy as one of the program’s most productive backs.

Michael Carter Family

Family Background

Carter was born in Okinawa, Japan, where his father played professional football in the X-League, a semi-professional American football league in Japan. This early exposure to football undoubtedly influenced Carter’s path toward the sport. When Carter was a toddler, his family relocated to Navarre, Florida, where he would spend the remainder of his upbringing and high school years.

Personal Life

Carter grew up as the son of a professional athlete, giving him unique insight into the demands of competitive sports from a young age. He maintains a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. Carter completed his collegiate career at North Carolina, graduating with a degree that allowed him to focus fully on his transition to professional football. He currently resides in Navarre, Florida, when not traveling for football obligations.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked another year of transition for Carter with the Arizona Cardinals organization. He navigated several roster moves throughout the offseason and regular season, bouncing between the active roster and practice squad. Despite these fluctuations, Carter remained a reliable presence in the Cardinals’ backfield rotation. His experience and versatility as a receiver out of the backfield made him a valuable asset in third-down situations and two-minute drills. The Cardinals’ offense continued to develop around their young quarterback, with Carter providing a steady veteran presence in the running back room.

Carter’s relationship with the Cardinals’ coaching staff centered on his reliability and football IQ. He understood the playbook thoroughly and could execute multiple roles within the offensive scheme, from traditional handoffs to pass protection assignments to receiving routes. His veteran experience proved beneficial in helping younger backs adjust to NFL speed and terminology. As the season progressed, Carter’s role evolved based on opponent matchups and game flow, showcasing his adaptability as a professional.

Looking ahead to future seasons, Carter’s move to the Tennessee Titans in April 2026 presents a fresh opportunity. The Titans value physical, between-the-tackles running, a style that complements Carter’s patience and vision. His ability to contribute in the passing game adds dimension to whatever backfield committee the Titans employ. Carter enters the 2026 season as a seasoned NFL veteran with over four years of professional experience, positioning himself to compete for expanded opportunities with his new team.