The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter plans on taking full advantage. Carter recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Carter also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, stopping the run, playing multiple positions, and more. Let's get to know Carter better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
DeWayne Carter: The way Duke decided to do it, one of our player personnel executives texted me to come visit him in his office. I walked into his office and he told me there was something in my locker for me (laughs). I walked back to my locker and the Reese’s Senior Bowl box was sitting there. It was a surreal moment for me.
JM: That sounds like an awesome moment. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s invite?
DeWayne Carter: Growing up as a football player, I’ve always paid close attention to the Senior Bowl. It dominates in late January and early February. Guys are out there competing that you eventually look up to in the NFL. These are the players I aspire to be like. I’m chasing those same heights and pursuing those same goals.
Jim Nagy has fostered that best of the best mantra. I think it’s the coolest thing ever because it’s accurate. A lot of great ball players have appeared in the Senior Bowl, guys that went on to have long, successful careers.
I think it’s really cool. The box that I received the invite in said this year is the 75th anniversary. It makes this year that much more special.
JM: It’s a special year with it being the 75th anniversary. What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
DeWayne Carter: I’m looking to prove myself right. That I am the player I think I am. I’m the ultimate competitor. I’m a great teammate. I love the game of football. That’s my overall approach to everything. It’s not about me.
It’s never about proving anybody else right or wrong. It’s about proving yourself right. That was our team mentality at Duke. It’s about being confident in who you are and the work you put in on a daily basis.
At the end of the day, that’s what matters, that you’re confident and believe in yourself. I pour my all into being the best I can be. I continue to work towards that. Going down to Mobile and performing well while competing with some of the best players in the country will shine a light on that. Hopefully, I boost my draft stock a little bit (laughs).
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Write your own scouting report for me.
DeWayne Carter: For me, passion and effort jump off the screen when analyzing my tape. That’s right away. I play hard. I run all over the field. I’ve bounced up and down the defensive line. I can play anywhere between the tackles, 0-technique to 5-technique.
Football intelligence is another one. FBI [Football Intelligence] is what we call that at Duke. I watch tons of tape. I study my opponents. A lot of the plays I make come from my knowledge of the game and our scheme—knowledge of how my opponents do certain things.
Athleticism is another selling point. I’m very athletic. I can run and move. I’m very mobile for my size. I’m extremely powerful as well. I think that’ll [power] be a big thing people point out throughout my week at the Senior Bowl. I have a lot of power and athleticism in my game.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL defensive lineman, who would you choose and why?
DeWayne Carter: That’s a good question. It’s funny, I’ve heard a lot of different comparisons. I had an excellent position coach in Jess Simpson. He’s at Georgia Tech now. We watched a lot of NFL tape together.
I don’t know if I have a play style of one specific defensive lineman that I’d compare myself with. For me, I model my game after my motor. I think of someone like Grady Jarrett, who always plays with terrific effort. He’s powerful and very explosive, but he never stops running. He plays very hard. Kenny Clark is another name that comes to mind. He plays with straight power.
I have a lot of the same attributes as Kenny Clark. We both play with sheer power. He also has the ability to snap and move with quickness and beat guys with quickness.
I couldn't pick one person. That’s how I would compare myself.
JM: Those are two outstanding players. You’ve flashed some pass-rush potential. You had 10 sacks combined in 2021 and 2022. Talk to me about your pass-rush arsenal.
DeWayne Carter: For me, my rush plan, my pass-rush style comes from film study throughout the week. I have a few moves I always like to throw at my opponents, but if I see something on tape for the upcoming opponent, I’ll alter my plan. A lot of that is a mental battle. Like you said, I can set some moves up.
I’m a big power guy. With my power and bull rush comes a lot of counters and moves off of that. I’m able to do certain things with my rushes. I can throw one move at you, but if I get a different pass set from an offensive lineman, I’m able to pull the other way and slip through the backside gap.
A lot of sacks, especially in the NFL, come from second efforts. You’re not always going to win right away against NFL offensive linemen. A lot of that sack production comes from second-change efforts. I’m aware of that. I have the energy and effort to continue pursuing the quarterback even when my first rush move doesn’t work. That second move is gonna work because I want it more.
JM: Your effort and energy are going to take you a long way. You played multiple positions across the defensive line at Duke. Where do you see yourself making a permanent home at the next level?
DeWayne Carter: Playing the 3-tech position is definitely where I envision myself at the next level. Like you said, I’ve played multiple positions across the defensive line, and I’m capable of continuing to do that at the next level. As far as the 3-tech goes, that’s where I’ve poured the majority of my time and reps into.
When I say 3-technique, honestly it’s anywhere from the 0-technique through to the 3-technique. That’s where I can play. I just feel most comfortable at the 3-tech. I’ve poured a lot of time into that spot.
JM: I agree with that based on what I’ve seen on tape. What’s on DeWayne Carter’s pre-game playlist?
DeWayne Carter: It’s funny. Believe it or not, I’m not a big music guy. A lot of guys listen to music before a game, but that’s not me. They have their headphones on.
I will say this past season, I did start listening to four or five different songs. I listen to “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. You can never go wrong with that song before a big-time game. I always have that song playing. I listen to a lot of Lil’ Boosie, he’s a rapper from Louisiana. He gets me ready to go before a game. It doesn’t take much for me.
JM: From Phil Collins to Lil’ Boosie. That’s a first.
DeWayne Carter: Listen, man, you have to be different (laughs). Whatever works for you. I can’t be like everyone else!
JM: I love it (laughs). At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for DeWayne Carter?
DeWayne Carter: Coming out healthy is first and foremost. That’s the main thing. Other than that, a special Senior Bowl, of course, everybody's goal is to win MVP of their position group. That’s my goal.
I want to learn a lot too. I want to figure out how the NFL works. We’re going to be coached by different NFL coaches. We’re going to interview with all 32 teams. I’m looking forward to gaining insight into their process.
I’m going to learn a lot. I’m going to perform hard throughout the drills. I’m going to take what I learn back with me and apply it to my training process. I’m going to implement those coaching points into my game to help make me a better football player.
