Tag: Jalen Carter

A memorial at the crash site were UGA football player Devin Willock and UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy died in a car crash on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens.

Lawsuit: Georgia staff knew of drinking at events, impermissible cash payments

Posted on | by Field Level Media

An amended court filing in the case of a former Georgia football recruiting analyst seriously injured in a crash a year ago contends staff members frequently drove vehicles rented by the school’s athletic association after drinking.

Additionally, attorneys representing the woman said coaches spent money on recruits during unofficial visits, against NCAA rules.

The bombshell accusations were part of a report Thursday from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which reviewed court papers filed in the case of Victoria “Tory” Bowles, the survivor of an accident that killed a fellow member of the recruiting staff and a Bulldogs football player.

She is suing the Georgia Athletics Association, as well as the estate of Chandler LeCroy, who was killed in the Jan. 15, 2023 crash, and Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jalen Carter. Carter pleaded no contest to racing and reckless driving in March after being linked to the accident. He was sentenced to probation and community service.

LeCroy was driving a rented SUV when the vehicle veered off the road and hit two power poles and several trees.

LeCroy was killed, as was Devin Willock, a Georgia offensive lineman. Toxicology reports showed LeCroy had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.197 percent — nearly 2 1/2 times the Georgia limit — when the SUV she was driving was traveling 104 mph.

“My client’s iPhone survived the crash fully intact and contains thousands of pages of recruiting texts describing the inner workings of UGA’s recruiting activities,” Bowles’ attorney Rob Buck said in a statement to the newspaper. “The new texts included in the Amended Complaint establish that the Association was fully aware recruiting staffers were regularly allowed to drive recruits and their families around Athens after drinking alcohol at Association sponsored events.”

A university official said the school is prepared to fight the allegations.

“We are reviewing the amended complaint, but we dispute its claims and will vigorously defend the Athletic Association’s interests in court,” said Steven Drummond, a Georgia executive associate athletic director, per the newspaper.

The filing includes text messages purportedly from Bowles’ phone that discuss school staff members drinking at football-related events, including one at head coach Kirby Smart’s house, warning them not to consume too much alcohol.

“Hey guys… if you are driving you can have fun at Coach Smarts but if you are driving a recruit make sure you don’t get drunk,” read one text message from 2019, reportedly from a staff member. “It will be a bad look if we have people who are supposed to be driving recruits getting lit.”

Bowles’ amended lawsuit also touches upon what she alleges was a practice of coaches and staff paying for a recruit’s expenses during unofficial visits, which is not permitted.

“Ms. Bowles was aware from her own observations and from prior communications from her superiors of UGA football coaches’ use of cash in recruiting activities involving unofficial visits prior to that evening,” the filing reads, per the Journal-Constitution.

Since filing her initial lawsuit last summer, Bowles was fired from her job. In her case, she is seeking nearly $200,000 for medical bills, lost wages and unspecified damages.

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) looks on during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles DT Jalen Carter ‘feels better’ after back injury

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The Philadelphia Eagles may have avoided a major setback with the health of one of their best defensive players.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is doing better one day after suffering a back injury against the Washington Commanders.

“Jalen feels better today,” Sirianni told reporters. “Again, we want to get out on the field to see where he is. But he feels better today. That’s a tribute to him getting in here and getting treatment and also our trainers.”

Carter, 22, was the ninth overall pick in April’s NFL draft after the Eagles traded up to select him. He had one tackle and one quarterback hit in Sunday’s 38-31 win over Washington.

In seven games, the Georgia product has 14 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six QB hits and two forced fumbles.

The Eagles (7-1) host the Dallas Cowboys (5-2) for the first of their two annual meetings this Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) looks on during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles CB Darius Slay, DT Jalen Carter iffy for Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles could be without two key defensive starters Sunday against the host New York Jets.

Cornerback Darius Slay is dealing with a knee injury and rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter reportedly sprained an ankle during practice this week.

“If he does have to miss this week, we don’t anticipate it being a long-term thing,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Slay on Friday.

ESPN reported the injury to Carter, adding that the first-round pick’s status for Sunday’s contest is “in question.”

Slay has not practiced this week and Carter missed Thursday’s session as the Eagles (5-0) prepared to face the Jets (2-3).

Slay, 32, has 25 tackles and one interception (a 70-yard pick-six in Week 1 at New England) in five starts this year. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has 27 interceptions in 156 games (146 starts) with Detroit (2013-19) and Philly.

Carter, 22, has registered 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in five games. He was the ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Georgia.

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter reacts with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles ninth overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles sign first-rounder Jalen Carter, add TE Dan Arnold

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter became the initial first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to agree to a contract, signing a four-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement calls for Carter, the ninth overall pick last month, to receive a guaranteed deal worth $21.8 million.

Carter and Georgia teammate Nolan Smith were chosen in the first round by the Eagles, who drafted another former Bulldog, Jordan Davis, in the first round in 2022.

Philadelphia agreed to terms with two other draft picks: Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee and Texas defensive tackle Moro Ojomo.

The Eagles also announced they’ve agreed to terms with tight end Dan Arnold, who caught nine passes for 135 yards with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

Arnold, 28, also has played for the Panthers, Saints and Cardinals in six NFL seasons with 11 career starts. He has 95 catches for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns.

Carter was rated No. 1 overall on multiple draft boards entering the NFL Scouting Combine before character and accountability concerns surfaced. Carter left the combine to turn himself in to police in Georgia for drag-racing in an incident that police said caused a fatal crash. Devin Alex Willock and staff member Chandler Louise LeCroy were killed in a car crash after street racing against Carter, according to Athens police.

“We understand that all these players – they need to be developed,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “They’re coming into the league at a very young age. They’re not finished products. I think all of us, when we’re 21 or 22, hopefully, have grown a lot from that time. And you just really want to get to know the person and what’s in their heart. And I think when we got to know Jalen, we just felt like here’s a kid that does love football.”

Roseman said the Eagles spent hours looking into all of their highest-ranked prospects and the team’s security director looked into multiple players and incidents, according to the team.

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Jalen Carter poses on the red carpet at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles’ Jalen Carter agrees to 4-year, $21.8M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter became the initial 2023 first-round draft pick to agree to terms on an NFL contract, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Per the network, Carter and the Eagles reached agreement on a four-year deal worth a fully-guaranteed $21,806,184. All contracts involving first-round selections include a fifth-year team option. He was the No. 9 overall pick in last week’s draft.

Carter, 22, was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and led Georgia to back-to-back College Football Playoff championships.

He totaled 83 tackles (18.5 for loss), six sacks and two forced fumbles in 38 career games with the Bulldogs.

–Field Level Media

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) takes a break during UGA Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. News Joshua L Jones

Jalen Carter only visiting teams in top 10 of NFL draft

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Jalen Carter is only visiting teams with picks in the top 10 of this month’s NFL draft, as his agent is positive the former Georgia defensive tackle will be selected early despite his legal issues and shaky pro day.

Carter was a presumed lock to be one of the first two non-quarterbacks selected, along with Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr., but that was before his connection to a fatal car crash surfaced.

Carter pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing last month in the crash that killed Bulldogs teammate Devin Willock and Georgia recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. Carter first told police he wasn’t involved at all.

Further, Carter weighed in nine pounds heavier (323) at his pro day than his weigh-in at the scouting combine just days earlier. He was unable to finish the drills due to cramping and breathing heavily, per multiple reports.

“I’m confident Jalen will go in the top 10,” agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN. “He’s a good person, a family man, loves football and is a generational talent.”

Carter is visiting the Chicago Bears on Monday — his second with the team — after also visiting the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears pick ninth and the Eagles 10th. Four QBs are expected to be taken with the first few picks.

Carter was arrested and booked during the week of the combine in connection with the Jan. 15 fatal crash. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service.

The 6-foot-3 Carter was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and led the Bulldogs to back-to-back College Football Playoff championships.

–Field Level Media

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) and Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith (4) run a drill during UGA Pro Day in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. News Joshua L Jones

Jalen Carter pleads no contest to charges from accident

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Georgia defensive lineman and potential high NFL draft pick Jalen Carter pleaded no contest Thursday to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing, his attorney told ESPN.

Carter was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service. He also will attend a state-approved defensive driving course.

Per his attorney Kim Stephens, the resolution of the matter means the state is forever barred from bringing additional charges against Carter.

“We are happy that we were able to work with the solicitor general’s office to reach a resolution that was fair and just based on the evidence in this case,” Stephens told ESPN. “Mr. Carter continues to grieve for the loss of his friends and continues to pray for their families, as well as for the continued healing for injured friends.”

Carter was arrested and booked during the week of the combine in connection with the Jan. 15 fatal crash that claimed the lives of Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy.

Police said LeCroy’s SUV was traveling 104 mph when it veered off the road and hit two power poles and several trees. Police said her blood alcohol level was .197, approximately 2 1/2 times the legal limit in Georgia.

“If the investigation had determined otherwise, Mr. Carter would have been charged with the far more serious offenses of vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle under Georgia law, both felony offenses, and would have faced a lengthy prison sentence,” Stephens said in a statement to ESPN.

The 6-foot-3 Carter was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and led the Bulldogs to back-to-back College Football Playoff championships.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jalen Carter shows up heavy to pro day

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, once expected to be one of the first non-quarterbacks taken in the 2023 NFL Draft, showed up to his pro day Wednesday 9 pounds heavier than his scouting combine weigh-in.

That’s according to Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, who added that Carter plans to participate only in positional drills at the Georgia pro day, skipping the 40-yard dash and other testing.

Carter weighed in at 323 pounds on Wednesday but was 314 two weeks ago at the combine. Carter opted against working out at the combine, choosing instead to focus on Wednesday’s pro day.

On top of that, Carter has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and racing. Carter was arrested and booked during the week of the combine in connection with the Jan. 15 fatal crash that claimed the lives of Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy.

Carter has an arraignment hearing set for April 18. Both charges are punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and one year in jail.

The 6-foot-3 Carter was a unanimous All-American in 2022 and led the Bulldogs to back-to-back College Football Playoff championships.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Carter back at NFL combine hours after booking

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Georgia standout Jalen Carter was back at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday, less than 12 hours after being booked on two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and racing.

Carter left Indianapolis after two days of formal interviews with teams to turn himself in to police in Athens-Clarke County, Ga. Carter was booked at 11:33 p.m. ET Wednesday and released 16 minutes later after posting $4,000 bond.

Arrest warrants were issued earlier in the day for Carter in connection with the Jan. 15 fatal crash that claimed the life of Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and football department staff member Chandler LeCroy.

An arraignment hearing was set for April 18. Both charges are punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and one year in jail.

Now, according to ESPN and NFL Network, Carter returned to Indianapolis to complete his measurements and interviews, among other activities.

Carter released a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“Numerous media reports also have circulated this morning containing inaccurate information concerning the tragic events of January 15, 2023. … 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,” he wrote, in part.

Carter, 21, was interviewed by police and told authorities he wasn’t present at the time of the accident, according to the police report. However, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported it had evidence that put Carter at the scene of the crash and that he left before police and emergency personnel arrived. He returned to the scene less than two hours later, per the AJC.

Details of the arrest warrant, citing video recorded before the crash, allege Carter was the driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk that pushed LeCroy, who was driving a 2021 Ford Expedition, to speeds exceeding 100 mph.

A third vehicle involved allegedly was driven by Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who also was charged with two misdemeanors. He was released Feb. 23 after posting $4,000 bond, per Athens-Clarke County jail records.

–Field Level Media