He played college football at Auburn, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
As a placekicker, he has been recognized as both a high school and collegiate All-American, as well as an All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) First Team and Lou Groza Award semifinalist selection.
[4] A three-star college prospect was the highest-rated prep kicker recruit in the nation coming out of high school.
[2] He committed to play college football for the Auburn Tigers over scholarship offers from Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt.
[6][7] In 2017, Carlson redshirted his true freshman football season at Auburn as he served as the backup placekicker to his older brother, Daniel.
[2] In 2018, prior to his redshirt freshman, Carlson gained attention after kicking a 62-yard field goal at Auburn's practice facility.
On November 24, 2018, against in-state rival Alabama, he recorded his first and only career reception, a 3-yard catch on a fake field goal play.
[9][10] He earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after making all four of his field goal attempts – from 43 (twice), 44, and 52 yards – in Auburn’s 48–45 upset win over Alabama in the “Iron Bowl.”[11] His 52-yard field goal attempt against Alabama tied his brother, Daniel, and Al Del Greco, for Auburn’s longest field goal ever in Iron Bowl history.
[2] He was twice selected to the Lou Groza “Star of the Week” list for his kicking efforts against Arkansas and Mississippi State.
[2] His 2020 season performance earned him Lou Groza Award (best placekicker in college football) semifinalist,[15] American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FBS Coaches’ All-America Second Team,[16] Phil Steele All-America Honorable Mention, and Associated Press (AP) All-SEC First Team[17] honors.
[2] Carlson earned Special Teams MVP honors for Auburn’s 2018, 2019, and 2021 “A-Day” spring football games.
The Packers decided to bring in some competition for Carlson for in 2024, signing Jack Podlesny on January 24, 2024 and Greg Joseph on March 28th, 2024.