He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

In the Tar Heels' season opener, against James Madison, Carter got his first blocked punt.

He finished the season with 68 tackles, five sacks, an interception, which was returned for a touchdown, and a nation leading five blocked kicks.

Carter's senior season was cut short due to a knee injury, which dropped his draft stock.

He would miss the last two games of the season against Duke and the 2010 Music City Bowl, which was played against Tennessee Volunteers.

[5][6] Carter was projected as a first-round draft pick before sustaining an ACL injury in his left knee during his senior season.

[9][10] The Cowboys also signed Dan Connor as a free agent to compete with Carter and to protect themselves in case he couldn't earn a starting role.

That potential competition never materialized, because Carter would end up having a break out year, even expanding his role after Lee was placed on injured reserve in October.

He finished second on the team with 70 tackles, despite being placed on injured reserve for the final five games, after dislocating his left elbow on Thanksgiving Day.

Although he was seen as a natural fit and there were high expectations placed on him, he struggled in preseason, where he started being platooned with Ernie Sims.

These difficulties carried on into the regular season and after a poor performance against the San Diego Chargers, he was benched for the first time at any level.

[12] In 2014, he was moved to strongside linebacker, so he could line behind the three-technique right defensive tackle position and be free to make plays.

Although his playing time was reduced in November, losing his starting role after the game against the Arizona Cardinals, he would finish strong while concentrating on the nickel defense and special teams, finishing with 68 tackles, 5 interceptions (led the team), 8 passes defensed and a blocked punt.