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Following the great and passionate play of Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine was always going to be a tough test for any safety. The rangy Amari Carter has seen his share of starts in his four years as a Cane. The path from four-star recruit to his best statistical year was full of highs (7 solo tackles and an interception against the Florida Gators in 2019) and wild ejections like the UNC game a year ago. The hard-hitting and intense playmaker left his mark not just on The U but on anyone he hit during his 4-year career.
Life Before The U
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From Palm Beach Gardens, Carter was a four-star safety according to ESPN and a three-star recruit for 247Sports, Rivals and Scout. The 239 ranked player on the ESPN300, he was named All-County Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 by Sun Sentinel. He wrapped up his senior season with 60 tackles and three interceptions. With offers from Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, and plenty others, Carter chose to be a Cane.
Life as a Cane
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Carter was made an immediate impact in the field in his freshman season. He saw action in every game. Finishing with 26 total tackles, 21 of which were solo, and 2 sacks. He also had a memorable moment against the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship Game (two solo tackles, including one four-yard sack of Kelly Bryant). In his sophomore season, he was named special teams captain and made his first start of career in a 31-17 win over the FIU Panthers. He finished the 2018 season with 12 total tackles and 1 sack.
His junior season started with a stellar performance against the Florida Gators. Carter finished the game with seven total tackles and got his first career interception. Another strong performance that year came in the 27-10 blowout of the Florida State Seminoles. Carter posted four solo tackles and a six-yard sack on Alex Hornibrook. The following week, Carter had four tackles and one forced fumble in the 52-27 dismantling over the Louisville Cardinals. He wrapped up his junior year with 30 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble in five starts.
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Prior to his senior season, Carter was named a team captain. 2020 was his best statistical year (53 total tackles and 36 solo). He made nine starts through 10 games. Second on the team in tackles, many of them came in his team-leading six tackle performance in the 52-10 destruction (again) of FSU. He also was able to rock the Turnover Chain in his eight-tackle performance against Louisville this year. Carter’s last 5 games were statistically impressive. He held it down with 6 tackles against the Pittsburgh Panthers, 7 tackles vs. the NC State Wolfpack, 7 tackles against the Virginia Tech Hokies, 7 tackles and a fumble recovery against the Cards, and 6 tackles in a game vs. UNC that we’d all love to forget.
Carter’s career numbers are 121 total tackles, 89 solo, 5 passes defensed, 4 sacks, and 1 interception. He’ll have another chance to lace it up in the orange, green, and white once the Canes learn where they’ll be going bowling this December. A terror in the secondary, he’s a player who’s physical style and brand of football will always have a place in the hearts of Canes fans.