Landing Antonio Carter Helps Solidify The Notre Dame Secondary

Landing Rhode Island transfer Antonio Carter answers a huge question in the Notre Dame secondary

Notre Dame picked up a big commitment today with former Rhode Island cornerback Antonio Carter picking the Fighting Irish over LSU, Florida, Ole Miss, Wisconsin and a host of other Power 5 programs. Landing Carter - who projects as a versatile safety for Notre Dame - goes a very long way towards solidifying the Irish secondary.

Carter is the second transfer portal pickup this offseason for the Notre Dame secondary, as he joins former Oklahoma State nickel Thomas Harper, who has been a part of the Fighting Irish program since January. 

Landing Carter helps the Irish secondary in many ways, including how the staff can use Harper. Carter having two seasons of eligibility is also important for Notre Dame, who won't necessarily have to go back to the portal for secondary help next season.

MUCH NEEDED SAFETY DEPTH

At a very base level, landing Carter solidifies the depth chart from a numbers and experience standpoint. According to Pro Football Focus, Carter played 1,342 snaps the last two seasons for the Rams. He racked up 111 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 17 pass break ups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. That's a much-needed boost in experience for a safety depth chart that would have been forced to play a freshman or walk-on in order to get a fourth safety on the field, something the Irish prefer not to do.

Carter isn't just another body, he's a player with a lot of talent that adds a unique skillset to the position. There's a reason he had offers from so many Power 5 schools, including multiple Power 5 schools like Iowa, Wisconsin, Washington and many more. 

Carter shows good speed on film, but he's at his best when he's flying downhill making tackles. He was an outstanding tackler for the Rams, showing the power to deliver big hits and sound technique when matched up one-on-one in space. Tackling has been an issue for the Notre Dame safeties for multiple seasons, so Carter's prowess in this department is very important.

Rhode Island used Carter in a way that allowed him to be very physical and active. He was a weapon against perimeter screens and he was also used often to blitz off the edge.

We also saw him matched up in coverage against a Power 5 team a season ago. Rhode Island traveled to Pittsburgh for a matchup, and Carter showed he belonged on the field with a Power 5 football team. He allowed just six yards on one completion allowed. He was targeted three times and also finished with a pass break up in the game.

Carter allowed just three completions of longer than 19 yards all season. 

With Carter in the fold there is less pressure on freshmen Ben Minich and Adon Shuler to play in 2023. If those young but talented defenders are ready they'll force their way into the rotation, but with Carter on board there isn't a need for them to play, barring injury. That is ideal for the defense and the rookies, as playing a first year defender out of need can be risky.

PLAYMAKING ABILITY

His production on the football as a cornerback and his disruptive playmaking on the perimeter should translate extremely well to safety. That is something Notre Dame needs in a big way.

Notre Dame's entire safety depth chart combined for just six pass break ups, one interception and one forced fumble a season ago. Compare that to Carter, who had 11 breakups and a pick, but also forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles. As stated above, he's a physical tackler, and in the matchup against Pitt he showed his physicality translates when going against quality Power 5 competition. 

That production for Carter was as a cornerback, so there is some context needed in regard to break ups, but it's an impressive number no matter where he played. Even with that context, Carter's coverage prowess provides a major asset. Senior Xavier Watts is the only returning safety that has shown the ability to be a high level cover safety and a disruptive player. 

Carter is physical in coverage and he runs well. He shows good length and timing in press coverage. He's a bit tight with his transitions, which could be limiting a bit at the Power 5 level if he was still playing cornerback, but it's good for a safety. His coverage technique and effectiveness should allow him to compete with Watts for the top cover safety on the roster as soon as he arrives on campus.

Adding a defender with Carter's coverage background is huge for the safety depth chart.

HARPER IMPACT

Landing Carter should also have a huge impact on Carter, Notre Dame's other transfer defensive back. Harper thrived as a nickel for Oklahoma State, and although he showed the ability to play on the second and third levels, he is a great fit for the nickel position.

Without Carter, there was a good chance Notre Dame would have been forced to cross-train Harper as a deep safety as well as his more traditional nickel position. With Carter, Notre Dame should be able to leave Harper in the slot, which is his best position.

By adding Harper in the nickel position and Carter to the safety position the Irish secondary got a lot more experienced, a lot better in man coverage and a lot more productive. Combined with a potential breakout from Watts, and then quality veterans like Ramon Henderson and DJ Brown, the Irish safety/nickel position went from being a question mark to a key part of a much improved defense.

Notre Dame already heads into the 2023 season with one of the country's best cornerback units, and with Carter that unit can remain intact. Notre Dame could certainly still choose to move a player like Clarence Lewis or Ryan Barnes to safety, but Carter joining the team means it's no longer a need. Notre Dame can now continue developing Lewis in the nickel, where he can provide depth behind Harper and also provide veteran experience at cornerback.

The transfer portal certainly hasn't given Notre Dame a lot of numbers compared to other top programs, but the pickups have been incredibly important, and the secondary is especially looking much, much better thanks to the portal.

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RYAN ROBE