ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arrest warrant out for NFL Draft top prospect Jalen Carter

Mar 1, 2023, 8:37 AM | Updated: 11:23 am

Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Jalen Carter, a potential No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has a warrant out for his arrest amid an investigation in Georgia regarding a car crash that killed a team staffer and teammate.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department issued a statement on Wednesday that said Carter is alleged to be involved in a street race that killed recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock on Jan. 15, the day after the Bulldogs won their second national championship in a row.

The charges are for reckless driving and racing, both misdemeanors.

The investigation found that Chandler LeCroy, driver of the 2021 Ford Expedition and Jalen Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 a.m. The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists and drove at high rates of speed in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other.

Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour. The toxicology report indicated that (LeCroy’s) blood alcohol concentration was .197 at the time of the crash. Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash.

Warren McClendon, an offensive lineman, and another staff member, Tory Bowles, were also injured in the crash.

Carter issued a written statement on his social media accounts.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carter told authorities he was a mile away from the crash but later admitted he was within sight of the cars involved in the crash.

Carter is reportedly in Indianapolis attending the NFL Draft Combine. Defensive linemen are scheduled to have team meetings Monday through Wednesday, with media interviews planned for Wednesday.

Carter was not expected to undergo drills at the combine.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Carter atop his big board in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

Colleague Todd McShay lists Carter at No. 3.

The Arizona Cardinals, who currently sit on the third overall pick and have a franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray under a long-term deal, could have considered Carter at the top of their board before the news broke Wednesday.

Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson are also among the potential top non-quarterback draft picks.

Arizona Cardinals

Tush push...

Associated Press

Chiefs think they have answer for Eagles’ tush push in Super Bowl

No team has taken advantage of the tush push the way the Eagles have, but the Chiefs think they have an answer for a play deemed unstoppable.

7 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

18 hours ago

Bidwill...

Associated Press

Former Cardinals employee files lawsuit against owner Michael Bidwill for verbal abuse

A former assistant to Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill filed a lawsuit against him, saying that she was verbally abused during her tenure.

1 day ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals is embracing change amid coaching staff carousel....

Tyler Drake

‘Part of the business’: Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon facing new challenge in Year 3

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is facing a new reality with the departures of multiple assistants this offseason.

3 days ago

A recent ESPN mock draft has the Cardinals taking two cornerbacks in the first two rounds of the NF...

Brandon Cadiz

ESPN’s Matt Miller has Cardinals taking two CBs in Mock Draft

ESPN's analyst Matt Miller has the Cardinals taking two cornerbacks with their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

4 days ago

Arrest warrant out for NFL Draft top prospect Jalen Carter