Barrett Carter discusses his decision to return to Clemson

The future NFL linebacker talks about why he's pushing that dream off for one more year

It's been a rollercoaster of an offseason so far for Clemson. Losing players to both the portal and the NFL has created some unexpected roster turnover, especially on the defensive side of the ball. 

However, in what is probably the best news Dabo Swinney heard this month, linebacker Barrett Carter has decided to return for one more year. He'll be a lynchpin to every goal the Tigers have in 2024 and one of the best leaders in the program, on and off the field. He met with reporters this week and discussed his decision in-depth for the first time.

Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter / Clemson Athletics

"It was probably the toughest decision I've had to make. Your dream is the opportunity's right there in front of you and you have a tough decision to make but you have to really weigh out the pros and the cons," Carter started.

What were the pros that outweighed the cons of this choice? "I felt like I had some unfinished business here. Felt like I left a lot of meat on the bone this past year. I came here to win a national championship...I love this university, I love this team and I love these people, I couldn't leave yet."

Carter shouted out Dan Lian, pastor of New Spring Church, who told the linebacker to "not make a decision out of fear." Carter went on to say that after hearing that, "Something clicked in my head and I knew what I needed to do. I believe God works in mysterious ways and us going to lunch that day really just opened the door for me that I had to make the decision to come back."

The story of Barrett Carter at Clemson could have been finished, but we now know the final chapter is only now being written.