Grambling's Carter goes undrafted, heads to Redskins on free agent deal

The 2018 NFL Draft put Martez Carter's time-killing skills to the test.

Playing the card game Uno with his family and friends, grabbing quick cat-naps while tuned in to the near, seven-hour long marathon at a watch party at his home with his family, the former Grambling State running back ultimately did not hear his name called by a franchise.

But his free agent wait didn't last a fraction of the time as his wait on the Day 3 of the Draft Saturday. Less than 30 minutes after the last pick was announced, Carter decided to join the Washington Redskins on an undrafted free agent deal.

MORE | Carter's NFL value heavy on offensive fit, team's needs

"It's been a long day. My agent insisted that we wait until after I get the call today to the simple fact of how the running back position was going," Carter said. "At the end of the day, I was able to get a call and it was a great call. It's been a long day, I'm just glad it's adjourned, I'm glad it came to an end with some positive results.

"Not getting drafted was a bummer. But I feel like everything happens for a reason. When it all boils down to it, today was still a great day for me. I got a call and I still have an opportunity to play football on the next level. I didn't walk away from this thing empty-handed. I feel like today wasn't a wasted day. It could've been way better, but you can only ask for so much and the way the chips fell, I'll pick them all up, stack them up again and see how they fall on the next level."

The Monroe native was being courted as a free agent by the reigning Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, among a few others, after the Draft concluded but chose to head to the nation's capitol. Carter will report to the Redskins on May 10.

A former walk-on at GSU after leaving Wiley College where he was set for his freshman season, Carter notable college career came full circle Saturday. And his mother, Tina Bowie-Carter and the rest of his family has been there for it all.

"I'm speechless, I'm happy and I'm proud," Bowie-Carter said. "I'm at a loss for words, but I am so proud of him. I'm so amazed he's got to this point. Now, he's going to do amazing things.

"We were on edge, everybody was on edge. It was a tense day today. But at the end, it came to be a good day. Everything came out good. As long as he's happy, I'm happy. That's all that matters."

(Story continues below video of Carter's announcement)

Last season, Washington was among the worst teams in the league in return yards and head coach Jay Gruden hopes the addition of Carter will potentially provide a chance to boost those numbers. During his four-year career at Grambling, Carter collected four return touchdowns.

"I'm an electrifying player and I do a great job of making plays on special teams as well as putting guys in great field position. I feel like I can excel at that on the next level. I'm pretty sure I can be one of the best that do it," Carter said. "I'm looking to master that right now. That's my gameplan going in, to make sure those guys know that I can excel in any way possible on special team. And maybe that'll get me on that roster, travel with those guys.

"If they want to throw me in on a couple of plays in that backfield, they'll be getting a treat as well. It'll be fun getting that first-year experience as a special teams player to get a couple of snaps."

MORE | When, where Grambling, LA Tech could be drafted

The Tigers' starting running back posted 1,560 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns during his senior year. The three-year player recorded three straight 800-plus yard seasons and back-to-back 10-touchdown campaigns.

Carter was one of three former Grambling players to land free agent deals soon after the NFL Draft ended with safety Montrel Meander heading to the Cleveland Browns and offensive lineman Trent Scott going to the San Diego Chargers.

Coming into Day 3, Carter (5-7, 208) was projected to be a sixth or seventh-round pick, and had it come to fruition, would've gave the HBCU national championship runner-up Grambling State program an NFL draft selection for the second straight season (Chad Williams, Arizona Cardinals, third round, 98th pick overall). Not being drafted, Carter said he feels like he's been here before. And he's more motivated than ever.

"I just feel like I'm ready to go yesterday. It's been a long day and it's going to be a long 12, 13 more days. At this point, I'm just kind of ready to get it going," Carter said.

"It motivates me a lot. No disrespect to the other guys, but I'm a doggone, pretty good running back. I just feel like I had a shot of being one of those guys to get his name called on the big stage. I've been in this situation my whole life. Out of high school, I did not have one scholarship. Coming out of Wiley College where I played basketball, only Grambling wanted me as a walk-on. This is no different. I feel like I'm one of those guys that's been through this. I'm going to come in like I approached all those other situations, give it my all and they ain't going to have no choice but to put me on the field because I'm going to give them exactly what they're asking for if not more."

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