Nathan Carter, a 23-year-old former running back from Michigan State, is the talk of the team. He’s hell-bent on making the Atlanta Falcons’ 53-man roster. The undrafted free agent has been making a hell of a case for that important third running back spot. He will have some stiff competition from fellow runners Carlos Washington Jr., Elijah Dotson, and Jashaun Corbin. His incredible athleticism and playmaking ability shown throughout training camp have wowed coaches and players.
Carter wowed evaluators with his superhuman physical gifts at his pro day. He dazzled NFL scouts with a 40-inch vertical jump, a scorching 4.4-second 40-yard dash, and an incredible 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump. His 10-foot-11 broad jump would have tied for fifth among all running backs at the NFL Combine. His killer bench press of 23 reps really emphasized his strength and conditioning. These advanced metrics underscore Carter’s clear ability to be a true game changer.
In a very impressive performance this past weekend against the Tennessee Titans, Carter took command of the competition. He added 63 rushing yards on nine carries with an electric 43-yard touchdown run accounting for the bulk of that total. This put his performance at number one among all running backs at Falcons’ camp. The lone exceptions were stars Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. His knack for breaking tackles and picking up chunks of yardage has made him the most impressive player on the field in training camp so far.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris appreciated the Carter’s aggressive playing style, saying “He plays with a reckless running style. Carter’s relentless drive and uncommon strength have made a lasting impression on his coaches. They’ve begun to spread to his teammates. This time, Carter made a splash on the field scoring a touchdown during the game! Robinson and Allgeier celebrated him from the sidelines, relishing in his incredible accomplishment.
Beyond his impressive on-field accomplishments, Carter has proven he’s a man of character off the field. Earlier this week, he reached out to Morice Norris via Instagram direct message to check on him and offer support. Carter said Norris was in “good spirits” when they spoke. This shot of adrenaline lifted his spirits as he undertook the rigors of NFL training camp.
In looking back at his journey and the way he played, Carter remarked that faith is key. I think the biggest thing was just understanding that he was OK and he was doing well, and just being able to realize that it was a football play and that, you know, at the end of the day my performance doesn’t depend on me performing for people but me giving glory to God. And so I was just really focusing on my faith and letting that be my calm today, you know,” he said.
As the battle for the last few roster spots draws closer, Nathan Carter is counting down days and making a case for himself. His combination of athletic ability, standout performances, and strong character positions him as a promising candidate to contribute to the Falcons this season.
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