T.J. Carter says football saved his life. Now the ex-TCU player hopes to keep playing
T.J. Carter doesn’t know where he’d be today without football.
“Where I grew up, there’s a lot of poverty, a lot of violence, a lot of shooting, a lot of drugs, a lot of gangs,” said Carter, referring to his childhood days in East Nashville.
“Football was my way out. If it wasn’t for football, I probably would’ve strayed into that path just ‘cause that’s what was around me. I probably would’ve become a product of my environment. My mom did a good job, and my whole support system, of keeping me on the right track and getting me into football.”
That, more than anything, is why Carter is hoping to extend his playing days as long as possible. Carter went through TCU’s pro day late last month, showcasing his athleticism and skills in front of 28 NFL teams.
Among his notable test results included a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, a 37-inch vertical jump and a 4.15-second shuttle, according to The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler.
Brugler has ranked Carter as the No. 81 cornerback prospect in this year’s NFL Draft class. Carter is not projected to be selected later this week, but he should intrigue a team to at least give him a free agent opportunity. This is a player who has versatility in the secondary, starting games at free safety, weak safety and cornerback for the Horned Frogs last season.
Carter finished second on the team in tackles with 63 and also had one interception, one pass breakup and one QB hurry in 10 games. He spent his first four years at Memphis but made a positive impact in his lone season at TCU.
Much of that can be traced to his upbringing.
“As a coach, you always look for the guys who have the hunger to be great and squeeze every ounce of ability out of themselves,” TCU safeties coach Paul Gonzales said. “I don’t know if I ever once had to get on T.J. He’s always doing extra. He’s always going to self evaluate after every game. I had a very young room last season and T.J. was the rock in there. He held us together.
“He’s one of those guys that is going to make it in something, whether it’s football or something else. He’s going to put his all into something.”
For now, it’s football. And Carter feels he’ll add value to whichever team gives him a chance.
“I’m versatile,” he said. “When NFL teams ask me what I do, I say I’m a DB. I can play anything on the back end. I can be physical enough to play safety. I proved I can play corner. I’m a DB.”
For Carter, the biggest knock from NFL teams will be his height. He checked in at 5-foot-9 2/8 inches during pro day. If he had a couple more inches, he’s likely on more draft radars.
But Carter feels he tested well in the field work, displaying his change of direction and getting out of breaks. And he’s also got plenty of game film for teams to evaluate.
“I definitely play bigger than my size,” he said. “You’ll see that when you turn the film on. I’ve been doing it consistently since I’ve been in college.”
Now all Carter can do is sit back and wait for the phone to ring like every other NFL hopeful. He’ll be ready to make the most of whatever comes his way.
“I don’t play the game for the benefits or what comes with it,” he said. “I really love the game. I’ve been doing it my whole life. It saved my life in a way. I give everything to this game. I respect the game. Every time I step on the field, I apply pressure and play like it’ll be my last snap, last play or last practice.”
