Carter played at South Aiken High School, where, in addition to football, was a track star, winning the state 100-meter title in 2001.
The football team had lost 29 consecutive games going into his senior season, which Carter finished with 1,856 yards, before finally breaking a 42–14 win against Midland Valley High School behind Carter's 200-plus rushing yards[1] After limited scholarship offers coming out of high school, he enrolled at Sacramento City College, eventually drawing attention from Boise State University head coach Dan Hawkins, and transferred to join Boise State's 'tailback by committee' approach as a short yardage and goal line back.
Carter's playing career at Boise State University began his junior season of 2004, posting 278 yards on 75 rushes and 7 touchdowns.
[5] He had finished training camp as the starting tailback, having beat out eventual NFLE MVP Derrick Ross and AJ Harris, but suffered a knee injury early in the first regular season game.
After the league suspended operations he was invited the Kansas City Chiefs camp in May 2008 where he made the practice squad.