Lorenzo Carter Bio
Lorenzo Lemuel Carter (born December 10, 1995) is an American former professional football linebacker who spent seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs before being selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Over the course of his NFL career, Carter suited up for the New York Giants and the Atlanta Falcons before signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2025.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 264 pounds, Carter was known for his edge-rushing ability, length, and special-teams contributions. He announced his retirement from the NFL on July 22, 2025, concluding a professional journey that spanned nearly a decade at the game’s highest level.
Early Life and Background
Lorenzo Lemuel Carter was born on December 10, 1995, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the United States and developed an early interest in football, a sport that would eventually shape his academic and professional future. His physical attributes and athletic foundation were refined throughout his formative years, setting the stage for a standout high school career.
Carter attended Norcross High School, where he played high school football and quickly emerged as one of the top defensive prospects in the country. After his senior year in 2013, he was named to the USA Today All-USA High School Football Team, recognition that highlighted his dominance as a pass rusher. Rated as a four-star defensive end recruit, Carter drew scholarship offers from powerhouse programs including Alabama, Florida, LSU, and Notre Dame.
Path to American Football
After weighing his college options, Carter committed to the University of Georgia to play college football, joining a program steeped in tradition and NFL pipeline success. He played under head coaches Mark Richt and Kirby Smart, experiencing the transition between two prominent leaders of Bulldogs football. The decision to attend Georgia allowed him to develop within a competitive Southeastern Conference environment while preparing for a future professional career.
Carter appeared in 54 games with 26 starts across his collegiate tenure at Georgia. He accumulated 166 total tackles, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown during his time as a Bulldog. As a senior in 2017, he was named Second Team All-Southeastern Conference, cementing his status as one of the conference’s top defensive players.
Lorenzo Carter Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
As a true freshman at Georgia, Carter played in 13 games, making 5 starts, and earned the University of Georgia newcomer of the year award. His early production signaled the arrival of a disruptive edge rusher who could impact games against elite competition. Despite speculation that he might declare for the 2017 NFL draft, Carter announced after the 2016 season that he would return to school for his senior year, a decision that allowed him to further refine his game.
Heading into the 2018 draft process, Carter attended the NFL Scouting Combine and completed the majority of drills, although he opted to skip the bench press, short shuttle, and three-cone drill. He finished first among edge rushers in the broad jump, second in the 40-yard dash, and third at his position in the vertical jump. Carter also participated at Georgia’s pro day on March 21, 2018, where he performed positional drills while standing on his combine numbers.
New York Giants Breakthrough (2018–2021)
The New York Giants selected Carter in the third round (66th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft, making him the eighth linebacker taken that year. On May 10, 2018, the Giants signed him to a four-year, $4.08 million contract that included a signing bonus of $1.04 million. Carter recorded his first professional sack in Week 3 of his rookie season against the Houston Texans.
During the 2019 season, Carter forced a fumble on quarterback Tom Brady in a Week 6 matchup against the New England Patriots, a play recovered by teammate Markus Golden and returned for a touchdown. He finished that year second on the team with 4.5 sacks, establishing himself as a reliable pass rusher. In 2020, Carter entered the season as one of the Giants’ starting pass rushers before a ruptured Achilles in Week 5 cut his year short and sent him to season-ending injured reserve.
Carter returned in 2021 and recorded his first career interception off Dak Prescott in a Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys. His four seasons with the Giants showcased his growth as a defender and special-teams contributor, even as injuries occasionally interrupted his momentum.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–2024)
Carter signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on March 22, 2022, worth up to $3.5 million with $2 million guaranteed. He made an immediate impact on special teams, recovering a blocked punt in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams and returning it for a touchdown. Carter later added a pick-six off P. J. Walker in a Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers, finishing the 2022 season with 58 total tackles, 4 sacks, and a defensive touchdown across 17 starts.
On March 7, 2023, Carter re-signed with the Falcons on a two-year deal worth up to $9 million with $5.25 million guaranteed. During the 2023 season, he played in all 17 games with one start and recorded 35 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, a career-high 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass deflection. His versatility and consistency helped solidify Atlanta’s linebacker rotation through the latter portion of his career.
Tennessee Titans Era (2025)
On March 20, 2025, Carter signed with the Tennessee Titans, marking the third NFL franchise of his professional career. The signing positioned him to contribute as an experienced edge presence and special-teams performer within a retooling Titans defense. His arrival added veteran depth to a defensive unit in transition.
However, on July 22, Carter announced his retirement from the NFL, bringing his playing days to a close. The decision concluded a seven-season career that included stints with the Giants and Falcons before his brief tenure in Tennessee.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Carter’s signature moments were his first career sack against the Houston Texans in 2018, his forced fumble on Tom Brady in 2019, and his pick-six off P. J. Walker in 2022. He earned Second Team All-SEC honors in 2017 and was recognized as the University of Georgia newcomer of the year during his freshman campaign. His seven-season NFL tenure featured stops with the Giants, Falcons, and Titans.
Lorenzo Carter Career Wins
Carter’s career wins are best measured by his production as an edge rusher and special-teams contributor rather than traditional victory counts. Across his collegiate and professional stops, he consistently delivered impactful plays, including 14 sacks at Georgia and 4 sacks during the 2022 season with Atlanta. His ability to force fumbles, recover loose balls, and score defensive and special-teams touchdowns underscored his value beyond raw statistics.
NFL Highlights
Carter recorded his first NFL sack in Week 3 of the 2018 season and finished the 2019 campaign second on the Giants with 4.5 sacks. In 2022, he notched a special-teams touchdown against the Rams and an interception return for a score versus the Panthers. He re-signed with the Falcons in 2023, where he produced 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries across 17 games.
Lorenzo Carter Family
Personal Life
Carter was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and pursued his education at Norcross High School before enrolling at the University of Georgia. Public details about his parents, spouse, and children are not widely documented in verifiable sources, and this page limits coverage to confirmed biographical facts.
2025 Season Performance
Carter signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 20, 2025, marking a fresh chapter after three seasons in Atlanta. The move positioned him to serve as a veteran edge presence and special-teams contributor for a defense undergoing roster changes. Expectations centered on his ability to mentor younger pass rushers while providing steady production.
However, Carter’s on-field participation in 2025 never materialized as planned. On July 22, 2025, he announced his retirement from the NFL, stepping away before training camp progressed into the regular season. His decision brought an immediate close to his professional career and redirected attention toward his post-playing future.
The Titans moved forward without Carter as they built their defensive identity for the season. His brief tenure in Tennessee closed the book on a seven-year NFL journey that began with the Giants in 2018 and featured stops in Atlanta and Nashville.