After a breakout season leading the Knights in tackles, former Sooner Lewis Carter embraces a vocal leadership role to anchor the defense during his final collegiate campaign.
Lewis Carter is ending his collegiate career at UCF after blossoming into a significant part of the Knights' defense. He's taking the next step as a leader, mentoring the upcoming players after him.
Carter led the team in tackles with 92 (53 solo), a career-high for him. The 6-foot linebacker missed UCF's Week 2 matchup against the North Carolina A&T Aggies, which was his lone absence of the season.
His development as a lead linebacker is impressive, as he played a backup role and special teams in his two years with the Oklahoma Sooners.
"Coming from Oklahoma, I ain't play as much," Carter said. "I really just showed myself that it's still possible, that I can still go out there and play ball, do what I do."
Carter set career highs all over the place in his first season donning the black and gold. He recorded a career-high in pass deflections (one), forced fumbles (two) and sacks (two).
Evidenced by his 53 solo tackles, he is a sound tackler. Carter tallied 12 or more tackles three times in the final four contests: 13 against the Houston Cougars, 12 against then-No. 6 Texas Tech and 12 against then-No. 11 BYU.
Heading into his senior season, Carter is focusing on improving one intangible that will bring the team together to create a vision and execute it on the field.
"One thing I can work on, I feel like, is just becoming more vocal," Carter said. "I'm not that all outgoing vocal guy. That's one thing I can work on coming back. I'm trying to work on. I can say I'm getting better at it as well."
Carter is embracing a leadership role like his teammate, wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr.
As a returning senior, he is helping build and strengthen the foundation that coach Scott Frost is creating during his second tenure. Carter is becoming a pillar for his younger teammates to learn from, while providing elite production on the field when the kickoff begins.
Oklahoma is a prestigious college football program, but Carter did not receive the opportunity to showcase his skills. Transferring to UCF allowed him to return to his home state and flourish into a lead linebacker.
Carter will continue to spearhead the defense while mentoring his younger teammates who are up next after his departure.
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