Q. You came here for your top 30 visit, so I was wondering how those interactions with the coaching staff up here went, and a two-part question for you, what's it mean to reunite with Nakobe and Jordan Davis up here?
JALEN CARTER: Yeah, it's an honor. The 30 visit, it went great. It was good vibes when I first got there, talking to everybody, defensive coordinator, head coach, GM, it was all good vibes, and then coming back and playing with former teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, that's an exciting moment for me. Them guys was the leaders of the 2021 team, and I just know that if I got any questions, I can ask them, and also ask anybody else on the team.
Q. Looked like when you were walking across the stage you had a lot of emotion on your face. What was going through your mind as the seventh pick was coming along, and what was going through your mind as you crossed the stage?
JALEN CARTER: It was a lot. My mind was changing every second. I was just thinking about how my family felt. I've been grinding all my life for this moment right now, and just to see the smile on their faces and the tears coming out of their eyes, it made me tear up.
Q. Just wanted to know how much you know about the Eagles and guys like Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham and how long they've been in this league and sort of anybody else, if anybody else you've kind of patterned your game after?
JALEN CARTER: Yeah, so I know Fletcher is there and it's a lot of good players there. I really didn't look that much into the team, but I know they've got a good team, Super Bowl contenders, and I just plan on learning a lot when I get there.
Q. Can you kind of describe how much the Eagles asked you about what happened in January, obviously, with that tragic situation, and also your pro day, as well?
JALEN CARTER: Yeah, they really didn't ask much about that accident that happened. It was pretty much getting to know me and the love of the game that I've got for football, just knowing my personality and stuff like that.
I don't really think they asked any questions about pro day, I think it was more just to get to know me and the guy that I am.
Q. I know you mentioned Nakobe and Jordan already, but each of those guys specifically, what's your relationship like with them, and how much have you been in contact with them over the last year?
JALEN CARTER: The relationship is very close. We locked in for like -- I actually talked to Jordan Davis I think it was yesterday. Nakobe, we've been texting a little bit. But I know they're probably texting my phone now, so when I get my phone, they're probably going to have a little message for me or we might have a little FaceTime call real quick and just talk about what we're about to do.
Q. I guess going into the draft, did you have any indications from the Eagles that they might take you at some point, and what were your general expectations going in?
JALEN CARTER: My general expectations were whoever drafts me is going to get the best player in the draft, but I just had high hope for Philly because I had a good visit with them, and I felt like it was a good team to go to and play for.
Q. When you were asked about your love of football, what were the answers and the examples you gave to them?
JALEN CARTER: Love of football, ever since I was little, I've always been a winner. I played for a winning team when I was little, in high school a winning team and college was obviously a winning tomorrow. I love to win, and that was one of the examples of why I love football. I love to win. I love to come back Monday and being one of the reasons we won the game either Saturday or Sunday or something like that.
Q. What's this past month or six weeks been like? Have you been able to learn anything from what transpired with that accident and whatnot?
JALEN CARTER: It's really been smooth. A lot of teams really on my visits really didn't bring up the accident. Like I said, it was more of just to get to know me or know my personality, know what type of guy I am in the locker room and off the field.
Q. I saw that you saw Jason Kelce there tonight. What did Jason Kelce tell you in that interaction?
JALEN CARTER: He's glad that I'm an Eagle. He can't wait for one-on-ones.
Q. What can you tell us about what happened at that pro day?
JALEN CARTER: It was just me. I felt conditioned but I guess I wasn't, and that was just me. I should have conditioned a little bit more or a lot more before the pro day.
Q. What's your greatest strength as a defensive lineman? What do you think you bring to the table? How do you think you can help this team come next fall?
JALEN CARTER: It's a lot. I'm a good pass rusher, run stopper. At Georgia it was always run stop, running the ball, stop the ball from running first, so I got that down pat, and now I'm opening up with my little pass rush moves. I feel like just both of those will help a lot.
Q. During your visit with the Eagles, did you guys talk about scheme per chance, and if so, how similar is the scheme that you guys run with Georgia similar to the one that you guys run or potentially could run here in Philly?
JALEN CARTER: Yeah, we did talk about scheme, but with all the visits I took, almost every team talked about a scheme, and I can't remember exactly what we talked about.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports