Zachary Carter Bio
Zachary Carter (born April 7, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed around 300 pounds, Carter has built his career as an interior pass rusher and run defender across multiple organizations.
Since entering the league, Carter has split time between practice squads and active rosters, working to establish himself as a reliable defensive lineman. His journey from a highly rated high school recruit in Florida to an NFL draft pick reflects years of steady development at the college level.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Carter was born on April 7, 1999, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. He attended Hillsborough High School, where he developed into one of the more sought-after defensive line prospects in the state. Tampa’s competitive football environment gave him early exposure to high-level coaching and physically demanding competition.
Coming out of Hillsborough High School, Carter was rated as a four-star recruit by major scouting services. His combination of size, quickness off the ball, and strength made him a priority target for several college programs. He ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Florida, choosing the Gators over other scholarship offers.
Carter’s upbringing in Tampa, combined with his family’s support, helped shape his work ethic. The transition from high school standout to collegiate defensive lineman required physical adjustment, but his high school foundation prepared him for the rigors of Southeastern Conference football.
Path to American Football
Carter’s path to professional football began with his redshirt freshman season at Florida, when he appeared in nine games as a reserve defensive lineman. During that year, he recorded eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and two passes broken up, showing flashes of the disruption he could create in the backfield.
His role expanded significantly in later seasons, and as a redshirt junior, Carter led the Gators with five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. That production demonstrated his ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt opposing offenses, cementing his status as an NFL prospect.
After his redshirt junior campaign, Carter considered entering the 2021 NFL draft but opted to return to Florida for his redshirt senior season. The decision allowed him to refine his technique against top-tier competition and further improve his draft stock, ultimately leading to his selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
Zachary Carter Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Zachary Carter began his professional career with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected in the third round, 95th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. As a rookie, he worked to earn a role in the defensive line rotation, contributing on early downs and in pass-rush packages. His development during the 2022 and 2023 seasons gave him valuable experience in a winning locker room.
Through his first two NFL seasons, Carter continued to adjust to the speed and complexity of professional offenses. The Bengals’ system allowed him to line up at multiple positions along the defensive front, building his versatility as both a run defender and interior pass rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022–2024)
Carter spent his first two-plus NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals after his third-round selection in 2022. He contributed on special teams and within the defensive line rotation, learning from veteran teammates and growing into a more complete player. His time in Cincinnati gave him a foundation in a competitive AFC North environment.
On October 4, 2024, Carter was waived by the Bengals, ending his initial stint with the organization that drafted him. The move came during the early part of the 2024 season and quickly led to a new opportunity elsewhere.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–2025)
Shortly after being waived by Cincinnati, Carter was signed to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on October 10, 2024. Less than two weeks later, on October 21, 2024, he was promoted to the active roster, returning him to game-day availability. Carter appeared in games for the Raiders during the remainder of the 2024 season.
On March 18, 2025, Carter was re-signed by the Raiders, signaling the team’s continued interest in his development. However, on August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of final roster cuts, concluding his time in Las Vegas.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2025–Present)
On September 17, 2025, Carter was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. The move gave him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot and contribute within an NFC West organization. His experience across multiple teams positioned him as a depth piece capable of stepping into larger roles when needed.
Carter’s arrival in Arizona adds veteran depth to the Cardinals’ defensive front. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes, gained from his time in Cincinnati and Las Vegas, allows him to adapt quickly to a new coaching staff and defensive system.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Carter’s career came when he was selected 95th overall in the 2022 NFL draft, validating his development as a redshirt senior at Florida. His leadership of the Gators in sacks and tackles for loss during his redshirt junior season also marked a clear turning point in his college trajectory.
Zachary Carter Career Wins
As a defensive lineman, Zachary Carter’s professional contributions are measured in pressures, tackles, and team success rather than individual win totals. Across his stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona Cardinals, he has provided depth and rotational support along the defensive front.
NFL Career Highlights
Carter’s most notable early achievement was his third-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft, the highest career milestone reached so far. He contributed to a Bengals team that reached Super Bowl LVI following his rookie season, gaining championship-level experience early in his professional career. Later stops with the Raiders and Cardinals have continued to build his resume as a serviceable NFL defensive lineman.
College Highlights
During his time at Florida, Carter’s redshirt junior season stood out, when he led the Gators with five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. That production established him as a draft-worthy prospect and set the stage for his eventual selection in 2022.
Zachary Carter Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zachary Carter was raised in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Hillsborough High School. Detailed public information about his parents and extended family is not widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Carter maintains a presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle @_zachattacks. Publicly available details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not confirmed in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Zachary Carter’s 2025 season began with a return to the Las Vegas Raiders after he was re-signed on March 18, 2025. He participated in offseason activities and training camp with the team, competing for a role along the defensive line. His roster spot, however, was not secured, as he was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts.
Following his release, Carter signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 17, 2025. The move gave him a path back onto an active roster, with the opportunity to contribute on game days as needed. His experience across multiple schemes and teams makes him a flexible addition for Arizona’s defensive front.
Looking ahead, Carter’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 depends on his ability to earn promotion from the practice squad to the active roster. With a continued focus on leveraging his size, strength, and pass-rush fundamentals, he remains a capable depth option for the Cardinals’ defensive line rotation.