Carter Jamison

Physical Profile

Listed at 5-10, 180 lbs. Taller than 0% and heavier than 28% of 2027 Safety prospects in the SEC Scouts database (32 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is an aggressive, instinctive defender who plays faster than he tests on paper and is at his best moving forward. Creekside used him as a hybrid: he lines up over the slot or in the alley, triggers quickly on run reads, and is effective on pressures from the nickel spot, which explains his tackle-for-loss and sack totals. In coverage he does best in zone, where he can read the quarterback and break on the ball. He is a physical, reliable tackler for his size, which is why Tennessee's staff sees him as a nickel rather than a pure corner.

Strengths

• Plays downhill against the run and blitzes well: 63 tackles, 9 TFL and 4 sacks in 2025 is unusually high box production for a defensive back his size, and it fits a nickel who has to fill against the run and come off the edge on pressures
• Makes plays on the ball: 2 interceptions as a junior, with enough instincts in zone to turn reads into takeaways
• Can play several spots: 247/ESPN list him at safety, Rivals/On3 at corner, and Tennessee projects him at nickel, which helps his chances of making the travel roster early
• Played and won at a high level: he was a key starter on Creekside's 2025 state-championship defense in Georgia, so he has faced high-major skill players regularly

Areas to Improve

• Man coverage against SEC slot receivers: a lot of his production came near the line of scrimmage, and he needs to show he can stay with quick receivers in press and off-man on third down without leaning on safety help
• Build strength without losing quickness: at 175-180 he has to get stronger to take on blocks from pulling linemen and tight ends in the run game while keeping his change of direction
• Speed questions: no verified laser-timed speed is on record, and if his long speed is average it will limit him outside and push him toward nickel or strong safety only

College Projection

He projects as a nickel or STAR in Tennessee's secondary, with possible flexibility to strong safety. The most realistic path is special teams in Year 1 (kickoff and punt coverage suits his physical style), rotational nickel snaps in Years 2-3, and a chance to compete for a starting nickel job by Year 3 if he adds strength and proves himself in man coverage. Other 2027 defensive back commits, such as safety Jaden Butler, mean his playing time will depend on finding a specialist role rather than starting on talent alone.

Best Fit

His best fit is a defense that uses a dedicated nickel or STAR position and asks that player to blitz, fit the run and play zone coverage, such as the multiple 4-2-5 look Tennessee runs. That role uses his downhill instincts and production near the line without asking him to be a long-speed corner on an island. He would be less valuable in a press-heavy, man-coverage scheme that needs long outside corners.