SEC Football 2017: Biggest x-factor for every team

Georgia – Lorenzo Carter

Lorenzo Carter is entering his Senior year in what is likely a boom or bust campaign. The Georgia linebacker was a decorate recruit that has failed to live up to expectations thus far. The 2017 season for Carter is truly a make or break year and could have big implications on Georgia’s season.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was hired for one reason and one reason only. To make the Bulldogs defense elite. It all starts with Lorenzo Carter as building a pass rush should be Smart’s first priority heading into his second year as coach. Georgia fans may already regret firing Mark Richt who consistently won 10 games every year. Smart, the former Bama defensive coordinator, has to improve on an eight-win season.

Carter did record five sacks a year ago but seemed to disappear often. He had a bunch of contests this year where he simply did not show up recording a tackle or two for the entire game. Then again, it’s not too late for Carter to get back on track. Jarvis Jones had a similar path exploding into the first round out of nowhere. That, of course, didn’t pan out in the NFL, but Carter is an interesting prospect to watch in 2017.

Carter, 21, was highly recruited before committing to Georgia. According to 247Sports, Carter was the No. 18 high school recruit in 2014. Carter was the number one recruit in the State of Georgia deciding to stay in his native state. There’s no questioning Carter’s athletic ability as the 6-foot-6 linebacker is a rangy linebacker that can really cause havoc in short flashes. Now it’s just time for him to put it all together. Georgia has to get after the quarterback if they have any hope of upsetting Alabama. Lorenzo Carter needs to be that guy making him the biggest X-Factor.