Education
Carpenter attended Hephzibah High School in Hephzibah, Georgia, where he played offensive guard for the Hephzibah Rebels high school football team
Carpenter attended Hephzibah High School in Hephzibah, Georgia, where he played offensive guard for the Hephzibah Rebels high school football team
He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks as the 25th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for Alabama. Considered a two-star recruit by Scout.com, Carpenter was listed as the Number.
193 offensive guard in the nation in 2007.
Carpenter received only one offer, which was by Iowa State. He committed on February 6, 2007, however he struggled academically and was placed at Coffeyville Community College by Iowa State.
In two seasons at Coffeyville, Carpenter started every game at left tackle for the Red Ravens and earned All-Conference (KJCCC) honors twice. In 2008 he was named to the NJCAA All-American first team
Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Carpenter was ranked as the Number.
32 junior college prospect in 2009. Although he remained an Iowa State signee, he began visiting other schools "just to make sure I make a good decision". He made official visits to Texas Technical, Oklahoma and Ole Mission, before eventually committing to Alabama.
Carpenter faced the difficult task to replace All-American left tackle Andre Smith.
While analysts did not expect him to dominate as a run blocker like Smith, they saw him as "a rock in pass protection". Carpenter went on to start every game at left tackle for the Crimson Tide in 2009 and 2010.
Seattle Seahawks
Carpenter had a good post-season performance and, according to Sports Illustrated, went "from a third-round choice to a player who could be a surprise pick late in round one". He was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Carpenter started 9 games in his rookie season before suffering a season ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury and being placed on the injured reserve.
Carpenter was limited to 7 games in 2012 still recovering from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. In 2014, Carpenter started 13 games and led the Seahawks to Super Bowl XLIX, where they lost to the New England Patriots 24-28. New York Jets
On March 10, 2015, Carpenter signed a four-year contract with the New York Jets.