Andre Carter II Bio
Andre Carter II, born on June 2, 2000, in Murrieta, California, is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 258 pounds, Carter brings length, leverage, and pass-rush upside to his defensive front. After completing his college career at Army, where he starred as one of the top sack artists in the country, he has navigated a journeyman path through several NFL practice squads and active rosters in pursuit of a stable professional role.
Early Life and Background
Andre Carter II was raised in Murrieta, California, before his family later relocated to Missouri City, Texas, giving him a childhood split between two distinct regions of the United States. The cross-country move exposed him to varied football cultures and competition, helping shape his early athletic development. As a high school player, he drew attention for his size and frame, traits that would later define his role as an edge defender.
Following his prep career, Carter completed a postgraduate year at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut, a well-known preparatory program that has produced a steady stream of college-level football talent. The additional year of structured training and visibility helped him refine his physical tools and earn an opportunity to play at the collegiate level. That pathway ultimately led him to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he would launch his college career.
Path to American Football
Carter committed to Army, joining a program known for its disciplined, run-heavy offensive identity and tough, physical defenses. The transition to West Point demanded a strong commitment to academics, leadership training, and military duties alongside the rigors of Division I football. His size, length, and motor quickly stood out to the Army coaching staff, who began grooming him for a role on the defensive line.
After spending a year developing within the Army program, Carter emerged as a disruptive edge rusher and a leader of the Black Knights defense. His combination of college production and physical tools positioned him as a prospect for the next level, even though he ultimately entered the NFL without being selected in the draft. That journey from postgraduate prep school to a Group of Five college program to the professional ranks reflects the unconventional path he has taken to the league.
Andre Carter II Career
College Career at Army
Andre Carter II did not appear in any games during his freshman season at Army, using that year to adjust to the speed and physicality of college football. As a sophomore, he stepped onto the field in ten games and posted 14 tackles along with one sack, one forced fumble, and one interception, flashing the disruptive potential that would define his later college production.
His junior season marked his true arrival as a national force. Carter finished second in the nation with 15.5 sacks, while also recording 44 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles. His dominant campaign earned him Third-team All-American honors in 2021, validating his status as one of the premier pass rushers in college football that year.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2023–2024)
Following the conclusion of his college career, Andre Carter II signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023, beginning his professional journey. He impressed the organization enough during offseason workouts and training camp to earn a spot on the Vikings’ initial 53-man roster when it was announced on August 29, 2023.
Carter spent the 2023 season developing within the Vikings system before being waived on August 27, 2024. Shortly after, he was re-signed to the Vikings’ practice squad, keeping him within the organization as he continued to refine his game.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–2025)
On December 18, 2024, Andre Carter II was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders off the Vikings’ practice squad, giving him an opportunity with a new franchise late in the season. The move represented a fresh start in a different defensive scheme, offering Carter a chance to showcase his skill set in new surroundings.
Carter remained with the Raiders through the offseason but was waived on August 25, 2025, as the team trimmed its roster ahead of the regular season. The release opened the door for his next professional chapter elsewhere in the league.
Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins Era (2025–Present)
On August 28, 2025, Andre Carter II was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, joining one of the most competitive rosters in the NFL. His time in Detroit gave him continued developmental reps within a strong organizational structure.
On November 5, 2025, Carter was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the Lions’ practice squad, marking his move to his current team. The Dolphins waived him on December 15, before re-signing him to the practice squad, illustrating the fluid, week-to-week reality of an edge rusher working to cement a roster spot at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Andre Carter II’s career is his 2021 junior season at Army, when he finished second nationally with 15.5 sacks and earned Third-team All-American recognition. His transition from an undrafted free agent with the Vikings in 2023 to a player who has moved between practice squads and active rosters across four NFL organizations also stands as a notable storyline, reflecting both his resilience and the competitive nature of staying in the league as an edge defender.
Andre Carter II Family
Family Background and Upbringing
Andre Carter II grew up in a household that eventually relocated from Murrieta, California, to Missouri City, Texas, shaping a childhood defined by movement and adaptation. Details about his parents and broader family background are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Andre Carter II, who began the campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders before being waived in late August. He quickly landed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, where he continued to develop within a winning organizational culture and prepare for potential elevation.
His midseason opportunity came when the Miami Dolphins signed him off the Lions’ practice squad on November 5, 2025, giving him a chance to contribute in a new defensive scheme. The Dolphins later waived him on December 15 and re-signed him to their practice squad, keeping him within the organization as the season progressed. Looking ahead, Carter will aim to translate his practice-squad reps into a more permanent roster role and continue building on his early professional foundation.