Carter is building a frame for the edge position at the next level. He has solid length at 6’3″ and the balance he shows on tape at his size allows him to make special plays that translate to the next level. Carter does a great job of changing his pad level while rushing. When he wants to rush with speed, Carter has shown he can finish the rep with a dip underneath the OT’s hands and make eye opening 90 degree turns to take the shortest path to the QB. Appl is consistent with his hands too. The length is useless if you don’t play with your hands and Carter uses his to maintain separation on his path to the backfield. He also shows an effective rip and swim move. When watching Carter on tape the word disruptive always comes to mind. He finds the fastest path into the backfield and gets to the ball. He is ready to breakout on the edge this summer at camps.

A quickly rising stand up edge rusher is Xavier’s Carter Appl Carter Appl 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Xavier | 2025 State WI . The 6’3″ 195 lbs junior is a long, lean athlete who has a great frame to work on filling out. Carter has solid length on his frame, and the junior uses it to create separation while running the loop to the QB. Carter has next level balance and body control. Pair that with his flexibility and you get several highlights where you see him dip underneath and play at impressive angles to beat OTs. You will also see him make impressive 90 degree cuts to get to the QB on the most efficient path. Carter also has a solid base of strength that he uses to drive OTs off the ball. When needed, Appl also has the range to make the high motor, chase down play. Xavier has produced a few next level defenders as of late. Appl is the next one to know.

Stats: 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 FFrnWe covered Carter early in the season, and I really like the growth shown since then. Appl seems to be playing much faster than he was in Week 1. It looks like he is reacting more than thinking. That has pushed his game up a notch. Carter has exciting tools for playing out on the edge. He gets off the ball quickly, has closing speed and speed to chase down plays. The junior has the body control and footwork to be able to use lateral movement to make OT/TEs miss. Carter is able to generate power from his initial burst that has given him the ability to power through run blocks and make tackles. Appl’s game is improving steadily. Keep an eye on him and this Xavier defense during the postseason.

Xavier fielded a dominant defense in 2022 with multiple athletes to know. One of them is the OLB/Edge defender Carter Appl Carter Appl 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Xavier | 2025 State WI . Appl checks in at 6’2″ 195 lbs. As a sophomore, Carter proved to be a disruptive force off the edge piling up 15 TFLs, and 8 sacks. The incoming junior has a quick first step and quickly accelerates from there. He has the speed to close quickly and the range to be able to chase down plays from behind. There are also a few clips in his highlights that show good bend while rushing the edge, and the balance to be able to quickly change direction or squeeze down the line. To top it all off the edge defender is a good wrap up tackler who ends plays when he gets hands on the ball carrier.