It appears that finally, and officially, TCU has washed its hands of Brandon Carter.
At the Big 12 Media Days last month, head coach Gary Patterson was quoted as saying “I think the best thing for him is to get a new start.” Still, Carter’s name remained on the Horned Frogs’ online roster.
That has changed, though, as one day ahead of players reporting for the start of summer camp, and as the Dallas Morning News pointed out, Carter’s no longer listed on the official roster. It’s unclear to where -- or even if -- Carter will transfer to continue his playing career. The receiver has one season of eligibility remaining and could move on to another FBS school and, after redshirting the 2014 season, play in 2015. He could also play immediately at an FCS school and then make himself available for the 2015 NFL draft.
Regardless, he has some work to do to repair a somewhat tattered reputation.
Carter was charged with possession of marijuana in late April — it was later dropped — but that wasn’t the reason for the parting of ways. Rather, it was Carter’s effort in the classroom — or lack thereof — that put the talented receiver on the outside of the football program looking in.
“Academically he will not make it,” Patterson said late last month.
Carter, a four-star receiver coming out of high school in Dallas, entered Week 10 of the 2013 season second on the team in receptions with 17 and tied for third in receiving yards with 197. In early November, however, he took a leave of absence for personal reasons. Those “personal reasons” turned out to be related to a family matter.
Coming into last season, he was the Horned Frogs’ leading returning receiver as his 36-590-6 statline from 2012 was second only to the since-departed Josh Boyce.