Jalen Carter Pleads No Contest in Reckless Driving and Racing Case

Former Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has had quite a month in the lead-up to the NFL Draft. He's plead no contest to the reckless driving and racing charges.

Former Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has had quite a month in the lead-up to the NFL Draft. He entered the NFL Combine as the projected No. 1 overall selection to the Chicago Bears and his draft stock has since been drastically impacted following an arrest for racing in Athens during the NFL Combine as well as a less than stellar Pro Day to say the least. 

Well, Carter now has some closer on the charges he faced from that night on January 15th. Carter faced charges of reckless driving and racing and according to reports, Carter has entered a plea deal with Athens-Clarke County. He will plead no contest and will receive 12 months probation with a $1000 fine, perform 80 of community service, and will have to complete a driving course, per Seth Emerson. Carter will face no jail time. 

In a statement released, Carter's agent was adamant that Carter's involvement, or lack thereof, was properly covered. 

"If there had been any suspicion that Mr. Carter had consumed alcohol or used an illegal substance when Athens-Clarke County police officers and investigators spoke to him at the scene, following the accident, they would have arrested him for DUI." 

He also stated that Carter did not cause the crash and that had any investigation proven otherwise, Carter would have been facing much larger charges. 

"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," 

Carter had an opportunity to remind scouts why he was is so highly regarded as a football player in Georgia's Pro Day this Wednesday, but struggled when participating in drills and did not seem like himself. The Apopka, Florida native weighed in nearly 10 pounds heavier than he did at the combine and was visibly fatigued during drills. While his visible struggles on Pro Day will not likely tank his stock, they certainly have not done it favors.

Though, March of 2023 has been a disastrous month for Carter and has raised numerous red flags that have done no favors to his draft stock. The former Bulldogs defensive lineman still undoubtedly possesses a plethora of skills that make him a generational talent. The question now is, which team is willing to take their chance on him come April?

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• Kirby Smart Provides First Update on 2023 Starting QB Battle

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