DE Andre Carter will be in the draft thanks to the American government.

[Direckshun]

I was reading up on prospects, watching some tape, and on drafttek's round 1 mock draft, they had the Chiefs taking DE Andre Carter out of Army.

The last paragraph stood out to me, because I hadn't caught wind of it until literally just now:

The Omnibus Appropriations Bill, posted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, will determine the fate of EDGE Andre Carter II. The Reese's Senior Bowl selection has accumulated 20 sacks, 2 INTs, 5 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks during his collegiate career. If the bill stalls, he could drop... providing the Chiefs a more affordable and quality option at EDGE.

What?

Did Congress and President Biden make it possible for a player to enter the draft?

Not rendering political judgment here, just thought it was legit interesting.

And sure enough:

Army's Andre Carter II back on track for 2023 NFL Draft after President Joe Biden signs revised bill
by Eric Edholm
Published: Dec 30, 2022 at 01:31 PM

Now that President Joe Biden has signed the 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, one NFL draft hopeful can breathe a sigh of relief, having moved one big step closer to realizing his professional football dream.

The sprawling $1.7 trillion government spending bill for the 2023 fiscal year, which President Biden officially signed into law on Thursday, includes a revised provision that allows certain service-academy athletes with professional-sports aspirations to continue petitioning the United States military to defer their mandatory post-graduation service. This is a significant development for Andre Carter II, a highly touted edge-rushing prospect out of Army.

Graduates of military academies -- namely Army, Navy and Air Force -- are typically required to fulfill two years of active-service duty immediately following graduation. Service-academy athletes have been caught in the middle of policy changes on this matter in recent years. For instance, former Ravens sixth-rounder Keenan Reynolds was able to defer his service after being drafted in 2016, thanks to a policy change under the Obama administration. However, the U.S. Department of Defense rescinded that change a year later, barring athletes -- like former Air Force football players Jalen Robinette and Weston Steelhammer -- from delaying their required two years of service. In 2019, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Mark Esper changed the guidelines, re-opening the door for athletes at military academies to delay their active-duty service after graduation in order to play professional sports, pending approval from the defense secretary. Once those players' athletic careers were over, they were required to fulfill their outstanding military obligation or repay the costs of their education.

A few weeks ago, though, it appeared the deferment option might go away immediately. Carter, a possible top-50 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was just about to play in the fabled Army-Navy game when word surfaced that a small section of the U.S. military's annual budget contained language that would prevent service-academy athletes from deferring their mandatory post-graduation service. It stated, in part: "Agreement by a cadet or midshipman to play professional sport constitutes a breach of agreement to serve as an officer."

That would have applied to all the service-academy football players, but figured to impact Carter -- by far the best NFL prospect at any military school this draft cycle -- the most. Carter's family and Army's athletic department, with strong support from the athletic departments at Navy and Air Force, scrambled to figure out what their options were. The meat of their argument was that the sudden change unfairly hurt upperclassman athletes whose options would be hindered. According to Army's athletic department, service-academy students must "affirm" their commitments prior to the start of Year 3, essentially requiring them to double down on a pledge to the military -- and inherently increasing penalties substantially for athletes who drop out of school early. Carter didn't become an NFL prospect until his breakout, 15.5-sack season in 2021, at which point he had already affirmed his commitment. Declaring early for the NFL draft at that juncture would have carried a stiff financial penalty to repay his education at the academy. Army coaches told NFL.com -- and Carter confirmed -- that several big-name college football programs made overtures to Carter through back channels to try to lure him into the NCAA's transfer portal prior to his senior campaign, but that also would have imposed a hefty financial burden. Ultimately, Carter remained at Army for the 2022 season.

After news broke earlier this month that service-academy athletes could be barred from deferring their post-graduation service, lawmakers heard public outcry on the matter and went to work to change the bill as it was still working its way through Congress. Consequently, new language in the omnibus spending package grandfathered in all athletes enrolled prior to June 1, 2021, to the prior eligibility rules, as detailed on the 1,875th page of the bill that spans more than 4,000 pages. (Going forward, athletes enrolled after that date must fulfill their two years' service immediately following graduation.) The revised bill passed through the Senate and House last week before landing on President Biden's desk for signing.

Now, all that stands between Carter and a shot at the NFL is a waiver being granted from the Department of Defense. Since 2019, that has been considered a mere formality for the handful of NFL prospects from the service academies. But that's also why Carter is such a special case. NFL hopefuls are few and far between at Army, which has produced two draft picks -- both seventh-rounders -- in the common draft era (beginning in 1967). Although Carter's senior season wasn't as statistically dominant as his junior campaign, partially due to midseason injury, he returned to action and helped Army (6-6) win its final three games of the season, including a thrilling overtime victory over Navy. Carter finished his college football career with 20 sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.

Carter has accepted an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl, which offers him a chance to revive some of the buzz he generated in 2021. NFL scouts also believe that Carter's rare athleticism at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds could make him a potential eye-catcher at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

Either way, Carter projects to be the Black Knights' highest pick in the common draft era and a dark-horse candidate to be the school's first Round 1 selection since 1947.

Political intrigue. Congressional earmarking. The NFL Draft.

What else could you possibly want, I ask the good citizens of teh Saccopoo Memorial Draft Forum.

What else could you possibly want.

[JPH83]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

Karlaftis' intelligence was one of the reasons the Chiefs wanted him, I just read an article in the last week or so that claimed that.

I think you're missing my point.

A smart young athlete knows he has a lot to learn and wants to work their ass off to reach their potential. I think there is little chance that Carter does not achieve his potential.

A dumb-ass thinks their athletic ability is good enough.

Give me the smart kid with the work ethic every time.

PS-I don't think holding Frank Clark up as a measuring stick for a good but stupid DE is quite the home run swing that you think it is.

I think give me dumb, hard-working and instinctive at DE to be honest. I don't need Stephen Hawking out there.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by JPH83

I think give me dumb, hard-working and instinctive at DE to be honest. I don't need Stephen Hawking out there.

OMG

I'm not saying he's smart so he can do ****ing calculus.

Dumb-asses think they're such amazing athletes that they're going to dominate just because

and they do shit like drive around with ****ing uzis in their cars

Really smart kids understand that they need to outwork everyone, and take to the coaching, and study film, and do everything they can to reach their full potential.

You guys are totally missing the point in a way that makes me think you're just trolling.

[JPH83]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

OMG

I'm not saying he's smart so he can do ****ing calculus.

Dumb-asses think they're such amazing athletes that they're going to dominate just because

and they do shit like drive around with ****ing uzis in their cars

Really smart kids understand that they need to outwork everyone, and take to the coaching, and study film, and do everything they can to reach their full potential.

You guys are totally missing the point in a way that makes me think you're just trolling.

I kind of am trolling. Look, I'm not saying it's not valuable, and worth considering. If a guy is a tick less impressive athletically and a lot smarter, sure. Carter looks like he has plenty of physical tools already. But smart doesn't always equal hard-working. I'd just rather work back from whether a guy has the physical tools I think we need most, which in my opinion is speed and bend. Maybe that's Carter at our pick, I'm not sure.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by JPH83

I kind of am trolling. Look, I'm not saying it's not valuable, and worth considering. If a guy is a tick less impressive athletically and a lot smarter, sure. Carter looks like he has plenty of physical tools already. But smart doesn't always equal hard-working. I'd just rather work back from whether a guy has the physical tools I think we need most, which in my opinion is speed and bend. Maybe that's Carter at our pick, I'm not sure.

Military academy.

That is by definition discipline.

You guys are bonkers.

Freakish athlete, highly intelligent, military discipline.

Zero chance outside of catastrophic injury that this kid doesn't reach his full potential.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

Military academy.

That is by definition discipline.

You guys are bonkers.

Freakish athlete, highly intelligent, military discipline.

Zero chance outside of catastrophic injury that this kid doesn't reach his full potential.

Yeah, I see what you’re saying and agree.

Carter is a good bet to maximize his natural skills, and he has them in spades.

His top-end upside is in the Julius Peppers range.

[JPH83]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

Military academy.

That is by definition discipline.

You guys are bonkers.

Freakish athlete, highly intelligent, military discipline.

Zero chance outside of catastrophic injury that this kid doesn't reach his full potential.

I mean you may be right but if so he's gone before our pick! Genuine question but in your opinion what makes him a late round 1 guy rather than a top 20?

[Direckshun]

Everybody has military discipline in the NFL.

There's a reason they look like living gods physically. They didn't wake up like that.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by JPH83

I mean you may be right but if so he's gone before our pick! Genuine question but in your opinion what makes him a late round 1 guy rather than a top 20?

He played for Army, lol.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Everybody has military discipline in the NFL.

There's a reason they look like living gods physically. They didn't wake up like that.

Horseshit.

go ask Arizona about their QB, for starters.

Or every first round 'can't miss' that busts.

Loads of guys get there on talent, and can't transition to having to work at it.

This is a nonsensical post.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

Horseshit.

go ask Arizona about their QB, for starters.

Or every first round 'can't miss' that busts.

Loads of guys get there on talent, and can't transition to having to work at it.

This is a nonsensical post.

Disagree with you on this and agree largely with Dirkeshun. It may not quite be "military discipline" but it's damned close. The schedule you follow to play college football is absolutely strict.

Workout at 6AM, meeting at 7AM, Class at 8AM-2PM, Practice 4-6PM, Study7PM-9PM, with curfews and so forth.

Then you go to the NFL which has early meetings, workouts, walk through, practice, etc. It requires a strict regimen. The NFL is less strict than college with more room for BS but not coming into it.

These guys don't just get to wake up and **** off all day.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

As a former army officer, I am biased. I think his leadership training and discipline will serve him very well in the NFL.

That said, I always hated ring knockers.

I also think he probably can substantially shift his physique once freed of the military constraints. Height weight and conforming to military physical training tests likely does not mesh well with training to become a professional athlete.

Ring Knockers are the worst. (most officers suck TBH) unless they're former enlisted/

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Everybody has military discipline in the NFL.

There's a reason they look like living gods physically. They didn't wake up like that.

Quite possibly one of the dumbest posts ever. Not everyone has military discipline in the NFL. It takes a shit load more than just training your body to have military discipline.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Disagree with you on this and agree largely with Dirkeshun. It may not quite be "military discipline" but it's damned close. The schedule you follow to play college football is absolutely strict.

Workout at 6AM, meeting at 7AM, Class at 8AM-2PM, Practice 4-6PM, Study7PM-9PM, with curfews and so forth.

Then you go to the NFL which has early meetings, workouts, walk through, practice, etc. It requires a strict regimen. The NFL is less strict than college with more room for BS but not coming into it.

These guys don't just get to wake up and **** off all day.

total bullshit.

I used to write papers for some well known athletes in college. I lived on the same dorm floor and had classes with them. They were neither smart nor disciplined. They were freak athletes coasting on natural ability. I'm not dropping names, but you would recognize them. I was also in the Army, not the academy, just the regular 'ole grunt army. Not remotely similar.

This theory that all of these kids that are in the draft are hardworking, disciplined individuals is utter ****ing nonsense. What they ARE is a package of elite inherited physical attributes.

Just because they show up for their scheduled workouts and practices doesn't mean ****-all and has nothing to do whatsoever with military discipline.

For the record, I was neither a hardworking, disciplined individual NOR a freak athlete, so I ended up a college drop-out flunkie guitar player. LOL. But I've got some stories!

But no. I think people are largely ignorant of just what college athletics are. Some programs may be different, but certainly not all Div.1 schools even.

[Chris Meck]

all of which is to say- if you don't like the prospect, that's cool.

I do.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

total bullshit.

I used to write papers for some well known athletes in college. I lived on the same dorm floor and had classes with them. They were neither smart nor disciplined. They were freak athletes coasting on natural ability. I'm not dropping names, but you would recognize them. I was also in the Army, not the academy, just the regular 'ole grunt army. Not remotely similar.

This theory that all of these kids that are in the draft are hardworking, disciplined individuals is utter ****ing nonsense. What they ARE is a package of elite inherited physical attributes.

Just because they show up for their scheduled workouts and practices doesn't mean ****-all and has nothing to do whatsoever with military discipline.

For the record, I was neither a hardworking, disciplined individual NOR a freak athlete, so I ended up a college drop-out flunkie guitar player. LOL. But I've got some stories!

But no. I think people are largely ignorant of just what college athletics are. Some programs may be different, but certainly not all Div.1 schools even.

I've been there man. Just sayin. So you can assume what you want about the work ethic of the whole over a few.

The Army isn't all that much different. You follow the rules, you follow the schedule. You work out when you're told to. You eat when you're allowed to. You study when you're supposed to. You go to bed by a certain time. You get yelled at when you don't and end up doing drills to ****ing pay for it. Am I right? Same shit another color man.

The Army is filled with drunks that play too many video games just as much.

With all due respect, we're going to forever disagree on this.