The Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly may have a shot at one of the top draft prospects in the nation with their first-round pick. Jalen Carter, the highly touted defensive tackle out of the University of Georgia was served with warrants for reckless driving and racing, and his draft stock has suffered.
Brett Davis, AP
Could Georgia DL Jalen Carter fall to the Steelers in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Carter was widely expected to be selected as the top pick in the 2023 draft and has been called the best player in the class. He is powerful and athletic, akin to Warren Sapp. Now analysts are predicting these charges will hurt his draft position.
The charges stem from a fatal accident that occurred after the Bulldogs won their second consecutive National Championship on January 15. The accident killed teammate Devin Willock and team employee Chandler LeCroy, while injuring two others.
According to the police reports, LeCroy, along with Willock and two other members of the football team, were driving a Ford Expedition belonging to the school near campus. Carter was in a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk with a Hellcat V-8 motor that is capable of speeds near 180 mph.
Carter reportedly received the Jeep as a part of a NIL deal with an Ohio dealership.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fatal accident leaves two dead and two injured
Police reports have stated:
"The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists, and drove at high rates of speed, in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other."
While the vehicles were racing, the Expedition veered off the road and careened into two power poles and several trees.
The SUV was estimated to be traveling over 100 mph prior to the crash. Willock was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead on the scene. LeCroy was taken to the hospital, but she was later pronounced dead. The two other passengers were injured.
LeCroy was shown to have a blood alcohol concentration of .197, which is more than twice the legal limit in the state of Georgia.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chandler LeCroy, University of Georgia Bulldogs staff member
Carter tweeted this on Wednesday:
"This morning I received a telephone call from the Athens, Georgia police department informing me that two misdemeanor warrants have been issued against me for reckless driving and racing."
"It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing."
Does This Mean Carter Could Fall To The Steelers?
This could not be coming at a much worse time for Carter, as NFL teams are gearing up for the draft. When a player's character comes into question, it can significantly hurt their draft stock. Teams may not want to take a chance on someone who engages in reckless or immature behavior if it is shown that Carter was indeed involved.
Carter's character had already been questioned, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Carter admitted to being at the scene and saying that he changed the story that he told police.
According to the 911 calls, there were at least two vehicles driven by Bulldog players at the scene. This includes Carter's Jeep, which left prior to the police's arrival. Carter reportedly told the police he initially heard the crash from a nearby apartment, but later said he had been driving both behind and next to the SUV.
UGA Athletics
Devin Willock smiling
In addition, there are surveillance videos from several locations in Athens that show three vehicles leaving the area at the same time. They include Carter's Jeep, LeCroy's Expedition, and a 2019 Dodge Charger driven by another Georgia football player.
The Steelers usually avoid players that have their character in question. However, they take the time to get to know individuals before making a decision. For example, they did not shy away from drafting George Pickens last year. If Carter is cleared of wrongdoing, the Steelers might take a chance on him. At least one mock draft predicts that Pittsburgh will stop his free fall down the draft board. In that mock, CBS notes that Pittsburgh has the coaching staff and structure to support Carter.
Do you think there is a chance Carter will drop to 17? If he does, do you think the Steelers would take a chance on him? Would you want to see them draft him? Click to comment below.
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