In tracking the products of Alabama football in this year’s NFL Draft class, the spotlight was directed to Shyheim Carter on Friday.
After coming to the Crimson Tide from Louisiana as a four-star in the 2016 class, he collected 101 total tackles with 18 pass breakups and three interceptions in four seasons. The 5-foot-10, 194-pound defensive back was highly instinctive and despite being underrated, he shared the team lead for breakups (10) and returned two picks for touchdowns in 2018.
Carter was on two Southeastern Conference title teams and a College Football Playoff National Championship roster in 2017.
Regardless of him not getting an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, he performed well at the East-West Shrine Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla.
With no Pro Day for Alabama, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Carter is back home training for the draft.
The NXT Training program — located in New Orleans, La. — posted a video to Twitter of Carter’s individual workout.
Hips, Feet, Hands… Working for it!… @Christmas__5 pic.twitter.com/HLP0dlOtOE
— NXTTRAINING (@NXTTraining7) April 4, 2020
Throughout the video, he displays strong footwork, quickness, change of direction, agility and catching the ball. He may not be the ideal size at safety, but Carter would make a strong nickel corner and be an asset on special teams to any franchise.
Coming from the Nick Saban system, the five-time national champion at Alabama referred to Carter as one of the ‘smartest players he’s ever had.’
Judging off the success he had as a defensive back, Saban puts the positional unit through the most pressure. Guys in the secondary have to master outside corner, slot corner (nickel), free safety, strong safety and dime safety (linebacker).
The lone way Saban entrusts a player with more is if it has earned the right.
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According to NFL.com, Carter was given a grade of 5.4 and it means he will be looked at primarily as an “undrafted free agent.” Hopefully, a team will watch his tape and consider taking a golden opportunity on him.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
