The Eagles move up to the No. 9 spot in the 2023 NFL Draft and selected defensive tackle Jalen Carter out Georgia.
The 6-foot-3, 314-pound junior was considered one of the most talented players in the draft, but off field issues this year dropped his stock and the Birds were able to land another National Championship player.
The Eagles traded pick No, 10 and a 2024 fourth round pick to the Chicago Bears to move up one spot to claim Carter.
Carter was asked about former Georgia teammates, linebacker Nakobe Dean and defensive tackle Jordan Davis - both now Eagles - and what his relationship like with them, and how much have he been in contact with theme er the last year?
"The relationship is very close," Carter said during a teleconference call with Eagles media. "I actually talked to Jordan Davis I think it was yesterday. Nakobe, we've been texting a little bit. I know they're probably texting my phone now, so when I get my phone, they're probably going to have a little message for me, or we might have a little FaceTime call real quick and just talk about what we're about to do."
According to NFL.com, Carter was arrested on March 1, 2023 arrest on reckless driving and racing charges. He entered no contest pleas to the charges on March 16 and was sentenced to serve 12 months of probation, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours of community service and complete a state-approved defensive driving course, according to attorney Kim T. Stephens.
There is no doubt the Eagles feel they have the locker room leaders to keep Carter’s head on straight.
Carter was asked if the Eagles asked him about the racing and reckless driving incident.
“They really didn't ask much about the accident that happened,” Carter said. “It was pretty much getting to know me and the love of the game that I have for football, just getting to know my personality and stuff like that. I don't really think they asked any questions about [my] pro day. I think it was more just to get to know me and the guy that I am.”
Here are Carter's stats and records from the Georgia Bulldogs website.
Associated Press & Coaches' All-SEC First Team...played in 13 games, starting in nine...totaled 32 tackles and 31 QB hurries...finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman...career-high seven tackles in win at Mississippi State...logged two tackles and a pair of QB hurries against TCU in the CFP National Championship Game...
Carter had four QB hurries against Ohio State in the Peach Bowl...four tackles, a QB sack and six QB pressures in SEC Championship Game vs. LSU...had four tackles, a QB sack, another tackle for loss, and two forced fumbles in win over Tennessee...three tackles, 1.5 of which went for lost yardage, in win over Georgia Tech...had one solo tackle in season-opening win over No. 11 Oregon...had one tackle, batted down one pass and had three QB hurries in win over Samford...had a tackle, assist and a QB hurry in win at South Carolina...had one tackle and a QB hurry at Missouri before leaving the game because of injury...missed the Auburn and Vanderbilt games due to the same injury...returned from injury to play in win over Florida, getting one tackle and four QB hurries...
Preseason All-America First Team by Associated Press, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, as well as Athlon Sports...preseason All-SEC First Team, by Athlon and the media attending SEC Media Days...named to preseason watch lists for the Lott Trophy (nation’s top defender), Outland Trophy (nation’s top interior lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defender)...named one of four co-captains for the Kentucky game. *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
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