In his first year at Clemson, Ryan Carter was redshirted. In his second full season at the school he played in 12 games, but it was just on special teams.

“He was just a little kid when he showed up,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “He was immature and was not very confident. He was full of potential, but he was not really sure of how to tap into that potential and unleash it.”

Carter started tapping into his potential in 2015. Though he was a backup corner, by mid-season he earned a role as the Tigers’ nickel back. He played in 14 games, but more importantly he started two of them, while registering 233 snaps.

This past season, Carter became a regular starter, earning 13 starts on the field side of Clemson’s defense. He tallied 624 snaps and 29 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded his first career interception.

“Now he is a grown man,” Swinney said. “He is confident. He is proven. It’s just maturity. It is his commitment. He is a great teammate. He is a student of the game. He is one of the most knowledge players we have.

“Ryan Carter can play anywhere on our defense except outside of linebacker. He can play either corner. He can play nickel. He can play dime. He can play either safety position. He is really that diverse of a player. He is a good football player. He is going to make it at the next level.”

Now as he enters his senior year, Carter has emerged as one of the leaders this spring.

“He is just one of those guys that have it,” Swinney said. “He has the instincts and the toughness. He has become a good technician at his position. He is a fifth-year guy. That is what you love to see. You love to see guys get better through their career.

“Early on in his career, he was not very focused. He was not very committed. He was a little immature and now it is like talking to a grown man when I talk to him. Everything about him is different, his demeanor, his sense of urgency, his leadership. That is the best part of my job is seeing that transformation.”

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