Considered a two-star recruit byScout.com, Carpenter was listed as the No. 193 offensive guard in the nation in 2007.[3]
Carpenter received only one offer, which was byIowa State. He committed to the Cyclones on February 6, 2007, but he struggled academically and was placed atCoffeyville Community College by Iowa State.[4]
In two seasons at Coffeyville Community College, Carpenter started every game atleft tackle for the Red Ravens and earned All-Conference (KJCCC) honors twice. In 2008, he was named to the NJCAA All-American first-team.[5]
Rated as a four-star recruit byRivals.com, Carpenter was ranked as the No. 32 junior college prospect in 2009.[6]
Although he remained an Iowa State signee, he began visiting other schools "just [...] to make sure I make a good decision".[7] He made official visits toTexas Tech,Oklahoma, andOle Miss, before eventually committing to Alabama and head coachNick Saban.[8]
Carpenter faced the difficult task to replace All-American left tackleAndre Smith. While analysts did not expect him to dominate as a run blocker like Smith, they saw him as "a rock in pass protection".[9]
Carpenter went on to start every game at left tackle for the Crimson Tide in2009 and2010. In the 2009 season, Carpenter was part of the undefeated Crimson Tide team that won theNational Championship over theTexas Longhorns.[10][11][12]
Carpenter had a good post-season performance and, according toSports Illustrated, went "from a third-round choice to a player who could be a surprise pick late in round one".[14] He was selected in the first round with the 25th overall pick in the2011 NFL draft by theSeattle Seahawks.[15][16] He was the fourth tackle to be selected that year.[17][18] Carpenter started nine games in his rookie season before suffering a season ending ACL injury and being placed on the injured reserve.[19][20]
Carpenter was limited to seven games in 2012 still recovering from an ACL injury from the previous year.[21][22][23]
In the 2013 season, Carpenter appeared in 16 games with 10 starts.[24] Carpenter earned aSuper Bowl ring with the Seahawks inSuper Bowl XLVIII where they defeated theDenver Broncos 43–8, giving Carpenter his first career championship title and the Seahawks their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.[25][26]
In the offseason, Seattle declined the fifth-year option for Carpenter.[27] In the 2014 season, Carpenter started all 13 games he appeared in and participated in the Seahawks making it toSuper Bowl XLIX, where they lost to theNew England Patriots by a score of 28–24.[28][29]
On March 10, 2015, Carpenter signed a four-year contract with theNew York Jets worth $19.1 million.[30][31] He started in all 16 games for the Jets in the 2015 season.[32]
At the start of the 2016 league year, Carpenter agreed to restructure his contract converting $3.96 million into bonuses creating $2.46 million in cap space.[33] He started in all 16 games for the Jets in the 2016 season. In addition, he had a fumble recovery.[34]
In the 2017 season, Carpenter started in all 16 games and had two fumble recoveries on the season.[35]
In 2018, Carpenter started 10 games at left guard while dealing with a shoulder injury in Week 7. He aggravated the injury prior to Week 12 and was ultimately placed on injured reserve on November 28, 2018.[36][37]
On March 13, 2019, Carpenter signed a four-year, $21 million contract with theAtlanta Falcons.[38] He was named the Falcons starting left guard to begin the season. He started 11 games there before being placed on injured reserve on December 20, 2019, with a concussion.[39][40] In the 2020 season, he appeared in and started 16 games.[41]
The Falcons released Carpenter on March 9, 2021.[42]
On December 8, 2021, Carpenter was signed to theNew Orleans Saints practice squad.[45] He was promoted to the active roster on December 18.[46] He appeared in five games and started one in the 2021 season.[47]
Media related toJames Carpenter (American football player) at Wikimedia Commons