INDIANAPOLIS — With the news that Jalen Carter left the scene of a fatal crash that resulted in arrest warrants issued Wednesday, the former Georgia standout did not participate in a previously scheduled media session at the NFL scouting combine.
Early Wednesday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Carter left the scene of a fatal crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15. Hours later, a throng of reporters were in front of a podium awaiting Carter for a previously scheduled pre-combine availability. A spokesman from the NFL informed reporters that Carter was in medical testing and would not be available to answer questions.
Carter, a defensive lineman, is considered widely the best non-quarterback available in the 2023 NFL draft. He likely will be a top-five pick and could go No. 1 overall.
“The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in a statement released by the school. “We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”
While Carter did not speak to the media, he’ll have to address the crash and his pending arrest during interviews with NFL teams ahead of the NFL draft in April. Meanwhile, former UGA linebacker Nolan Smith said that the Cincinnati Bengals asked him about the crash that killed Willock and LeCroy just hours after Georgia celebrated its championship with a parade.
“After the natty, I didn’t go home,” Smith said. “That’s my dog. That’s one person that never did anything wrong. I got sensitive in (my interview with) Cincinnati. I get sensitive talking about it, just because I love him.”
Smith clearly was shaken while discussing the crash.
“No one should die like that,” Smith said. “He never did (expletive) wrong. I’m sorry for my language, but he never did anything wrong. Three years in a row that man showed up and worked day in and day out. He’s a natty champ. It’s written in stone. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Smith noticed that a reporter was laughing.
“She doesn’t understand,” Smith said. “Devin, I love you baby and in seven-seven (Willock’s uniform number) you’re living forever. Do it for Dev. That’s what I tell them boys at Georgia. You lost a brother. Do it for Dev.”
Smith tried to gather himself, but was clearly still in pain.
“This is my first time talking about it. Cincinnati, they brought it up and I got emotional, too,” Smith said. “Just because I care.”
Carter played in 35 games for the Bulldogs and had 83 tackles, 18.5 for loss, and six sacks.
NFL teams will want to know more about his driving and his role in the crash. According to a press release from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department on the arrest warrants, Carter and LeCroy, who was driving a university-rented SUV, were “operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing.” The release stated that LeCroy’s vehicle was traveling at 104 mph shortly before the crash.
Carter was a unanimous All-American pick in 2022. He struggled with an ankle injury for the first half of the season and sustained a knee injury in October that led to him missing two games.
Last year, Georgia had a record number of players (15) drafted by NFL teams. Defensive end Travon Walker was the No. 1 overall pick. Even with all of that UGA talent last year, NFL scouts already were discussing Carter as Georgia’s best NFL prospect.
It is possible with the news of Carter’s role in the fatal crash and arrest warrant that he could slip in the draft. A drop in the draft could prove costly for Carter. Walker signed a four-year, $37.4 million contact as the top pick last year. Falcons wide receiver Drake London’s contract as the eighth overall pick was $16 million lower at $21.4 million.
Washington general manager Martin Mayhew was aware of Carter’s situation.
“It’s going to be pretty heavily investigated by the media (and) we’ll track that, obviously,” Mayhew said from the combine. “We have a company that we work with on background investigations. We’ll work with that company. We are very do a very thorough analysis of these guy’s background especially with any criminal activity or criminal behavior. I don’t know what happened with him, not saying that he did anything that was wrong. We’ll know. We’ll find out.”
———
Staff writer Chip Towers contributed to this article.
