Army’s Andre Carter is on NFL draft clock

Andre Carter will become Army’s first NFL draft pick some time over the next three days.

Carter’s name could be called in Kansas City as early as Friday night in the second or third rounds or maybe more likely the fourth through seventh rounds Saturday.

Doesn’t matter when. The fact that Carter has worked his way to this position is a testament to the outside linebacker or rush end’s makeup and character.

Carter didn’t take the direct route or secondary route (Army Prep) to West Point. His transition from wide receiver to college linebacker began at Cheshire (Conn.) Academy. Carter was a problem for Army’s offense on the scout team his freshman season, developed into a playmaker by the middle of sophomore year, was Army’s first all-American since 1990 as a junior and is now will be on an NFL roster by week’s end.

Army defensive coordinator Nate Woody and head coach Jeff Monken couldn’t talk enough about how much extra time Carter spent watching game and practice film and his commitment to not just being good but great.

Carter’s path to the draft has taken him to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the NFL combine, Army Pro Day with 30 scouts from 27 teams and now and NFL team workouts.

The pre-draft process is over. Now, it’s time for make history and join Caleb Campbell (2008) as recent Army draft picks.  

“All the work is done,” Carter said in an Army athletics video story. “I kind of get to sit back and enjoy this moment with my family and close friends, people that have sacrificed for me to be in this position, to see where I end up and what opportunity I will have going forward.”

What’s next? Which team will pick the 6-foot-6, 256-pound Carter? Believe 31 of 32 teams attended Army’s fall practices to check out Carter, some multiple times. Locally, the Giants and Jets have showed consistent interest in Carter. Don’t rule out the Broncos and Steelers with former Army players Ben Kotwica (Denver special teams coordinator) and Mike Sullivan (Pittsburgh quarterbacks coach) on each of the team’s respective staffs.

“He’s an unique talent,” said Mel Kiper, ESPN draft expert on a recent episode of “Outside The Lines”. “He’s going to have an opportunity to be a key entity on an NFL defense in the not too distant future.”

Was asked by an NFL scout about Carter on the sideline before the Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in December. The questions were more about Carter’s makeup than on-the-field. My short answer was Carter’s work ethic, talent and humbleness would make him an incredible addition to any NFL locker room.   

Carter watched Army’s spring game Friday. Some future Black Knights took photos with Carter that night.

Carter’s life changes this weekend.

With the __ pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the ___ select Andre Carter, linebacker, Army.