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OVERVIEW

Jerome Carter
Position:  Strong Safety
College:  Florida State
Height: 5-11
Weight: 219
Hometown: Lake City, Fla.

A hard-hitting rover, Carter was viewed as the Seminoles' leader on and off the field. He was voted defensive captain by his teammates in 2004, and not only called assignments for the secondary, but took on the role of mentoring younger players. Regarded as the most punishing tackler in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Carter guided a unit that was ranked seventh nationally in total defense and fourth nationally in scoring defense in 2004.

Carter attended Columbia (Lake City, Fla.) High where he was a two-time all-state first-team selection as a junior and senior. He was named the Class 5A Player of the Year as a senior by the Florida Association of Coaches and called one of the nation's top 25 players by Max Emfinger's Blue Chip Report. Carter was selected the top prep player in the state of Florida by the Gainesville Sun and was a member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 squad.

He recorded 77 total tackles (50 solo) his senior season and also rushed for 811 yards on 83 carries (9.8 avg) with 11 touchdowns, and caught 29 passes for 601 yards and seven more scores on offense. Carter was credited with 119 total tackles on defense while rushing for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense as a junior.

Carter was thrust into action as a true freshman, playing as a reserve strong safety in the first six games of 2001 before suffering a torn right knee anterior cruciate ligament that sidelined him for the second half of the season. He finished with 11 tackles (seven solo), one pass breakup and returned a blocked punt 12 yards for a touchdown. In 2002, Carter manned the rover position, starting 11 games. He finished third on the team with a career-high 94 tackles (60 solo), including a sack and three pass deflections.

Carter then started in his final 25 games as a Seminole. He registered 78 tackles (45 solo) with six stops for losses, two interceptions and two pass breakups as a junior in 2003. He capped his career in 2004 by posting 74 tackles (40 solo), a sack, 5½ stops behind the line of scrimmage, an interception and five pass deflections.

In 45 games at Florida State, Carter was credited with 257 tackles (152 solo), 2½ sacks for minus-13 yards and 14 stops for losses of 53 yards. He caused two fumbles, deflected 11 passes and intercepted three others while starting 36 contests. His 257 tackles were the most by any 2004 Florida State player. 

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a well-built, compact frame with good overall muscle development, long arms and thick legs … A willing tackler … Responsible leader on and off the field … Has good short-area quickness, strength and balance … Will stick his head in the pile and will come down and compete against the bigger blockers working inside the box … Shows the ability to track the ball through traffic … Takes just adequate angles to the ball, but can make adjustments on the move … Will face up and wrap, showing a decent feel to fit.

Gives good effort in run force, taking on the blocks with aggression to fill between the tackles … Best when playing close to the line of scrimmage, as he has the agility to slip blocks in space … Wraps upon contact and does a good job with his hands to keep blockers off his body. 

AGILITY TESTS

4.7 in the 40-yard dash … 268-pound bench press … 345-pound squat … 217-pound power clean … 4.29 20-yard shuttle … 31-inch vertical jump … 32½-inch arm length … 9¼-inch hands … Right-handed.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Columbia (Lake City, Fla.) High, playing football for coach Danny Green … Two-time all-state first-team selection as a junior and senior … Named the Class 5A Player of the Year as a senior by the Florida Association of Coaches and chosen one of the nation's top 25 players by Max Emfinger's Blue Chip Report … Selected the top player in the state of Florida by the Gainesville Sun … Recorded 77 tackles (50 solo) on defense and rushed for 811 yards on 83 carries (9.8 avg) with 11 touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 601 yards and seven scores on offense his senior season … Credited with 119 tackles on defense while rushing for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense as a junior.

PERSONAL

Social Science major … Born Oct. 25, 1982 … Resides in Lake City, Fla.

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