Does it seem like Reggie Carter has been in Athens for 10 years?

During an interview back during spring practice, the senior linebacker joked that it certainly did. Actually, this will mark Carter’s fifth year with the program, following a redshirt year in 2015 when he only played in one game prior to suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

Fortunately for Carter, the former South Gwinnett standout came back strong and was an integral part of Georgia’s middle linebacking corps, along with Roquan Smith and Natrez Patrick.

With his senior season just around the corner, Carter hopes the best is yet to come.

BIO

SIZE: 6-1, 230 pounds

CLASS/ELIGIBILITY: Senior

HOMETOWN: Snellville, Georgia

HIGH SCHOOL: South Gwinnett

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PREP RANKINGS

RIVALS: Four-star by Rivals

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2016 RECAP

After playing in just one game the previous year, Carter enjoyed a solid junior campaign for the Bulldogs, starting eight of the 11 games he played, making 45 tackles, including two for losses of seven yards with a forced fumble.

His numbers might have been even greater if not for the presence of Smith and Patrick, but Carter certainly produced when his number was called. That includes a career-best day against Kentucky when he tied his high mark of seven tackles, including one tackle for loss.

His lone sack of the year came against Auburn, which you can see below:

2017 EXPECTATIONS

With Smith injured and out for the spring, Carter saw a ton of reps alongside Patrick at middle linebacker for the Bulldogs. That will likely change come fall with Smith back at 100 percent, but Carter still figures to be an important piece to the puzzle.

Assuming he stays healthy, there’s no reason Carter won’t be able to at least equal his effort for tackles (45) last fall to join Patrick and Smith in what could be one of the better middle linebacker trios in the SEC.

But that’s not all Carter will be doing.

The veteran linebacker has spoken about the excitement he feels to be able to mentor Georgia’s young linebackers, like he did with early enrollee Monty Rice and expects to do with incoming freshman Nate McBride.

A GOOD SEASON FOR CARTER WILL BE…

… if he can stay healthy, use his experience and become one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball.

Statistically speaking, it’s probably unfair to expect Carter’s numbers to be much higher than they were last season, but that’s just due to the talent around him.

Carter will play a lot, and based on what we saw last year, should once again be a valuable piece to Georgia’s defensive plans.