Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts with defensive lineman Jalen Carter
College FootballNCAANFLBy Sean Keeley on

It’s not truly NFL Draft season until a college football player’s character gets questioned for dubious reasons. ESPN’s Todd McShay has officially kicked things off with his criticism of Georgia’s Jalen Carter.

McShay has Carter going No. 2 in his 2023 NFL Mock Draft to the Seattle Seahawks. However, that doesn’t mean he thinks the defensive tackle is a sure thing. During a recent appearance on ESPN, McShay discussed some of the potential narratives out there for the phenom, citing a concern about his character.

“With Carter, there are some character issues, does he get along with everybody? What’s he like to deal with in the locker room? Those sorts of issues,” McShay said. “I know it’s early in the process, but I’m forewarning everyone out there. Carter is going to be kind of a hot-button name when we talk about some of the intangible aspects of it. I think Pete Carroll sitting there at No. 2, who has a long of history taking guys who have quote-unquote questionable character and then developing them and having them work out, that makes a lot of sense to me.

“That will be the big discussion. It’s not about his talent. It’s not about his size. It’s not about his explosive take-off or finishing as a pass rusher. It’s about the character and do we want to bring that guy into the building.”

Pretty soon, lots of people were clamoring to defend Carter from these character concerns, especially given how it’s unclear where McShay is getting this information from.

“What’s he like in the lockeroom you ask? One of my favorite guys to be around. ALL-AROUND STUD as a player and as a friend/teammate,” said Georgia teammate Ryland Goede.

“Ion ever entertain what y’all say but you don’t know this man. That boy been a real one since day one!!,” said Georgia WR Jackson Meeks.

“88 is one of the best people and most down to earth dude I’ve ever been around. This is absolute bull and slander,” said Georgia’s Randon Jernigan.

And plenty of other people around the football world reacted to McShay’s comments wondering where the proof is.

We’ll see if McShay explains himself or just keeps on talking without any proof.

[Saturday Down South, Audacy]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Sean Keeley