Racey McMath, Tory Carter Declaring for NFL Draft

A pair of senior LSU football players announced they would not be coming back to LSU this week.

The Athletic’s Brody Miller reported that wide receiver Racey McMath signed with an agent on Tuesday and entered the 2021 NFL Draft; and on Wednesday fullback Tory Carter tweeted he too would be entering the draft.

McMath leaves LSU with 33 career receptions for 522 yards and four touchdowns. McMath missed the final four games of the 2020 season after injuring his hamstring against Arkansas. In six games, McMath caught 14 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown in the Arkansas game. McMath accepted an invitation to participate in the annual Senior Bowl, which will be played on January 30 in Mobile, Alabama.

McMath was a fantastic gunner and excelling on special teams may be how he earns a roster spot at the next level, like how former Tigers Russel Gage and James Wright did.

Carter’s path to the NFL doesn’t appear as obvious. Carter did a little bit of everything while at LSU. He was the fullback in 2018, but was used more as a tight end/h-back in 2019 and 2020. In four seasons, Carter got two carries for four yards and caught 16 passes for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Carter also played special teams and recorded eight tackles. Perhaps his versatility is how he’ll make his way onto an NFL roster.

The NCAA approved a blanket waiver where all fall athletes would get an extra year of eligibility, even if they were a senior. Liam Shanahan and Neil Farrell have said they will exercise that option and return to school in 2021. In addition to Carter and McMath, Jacoby Stevens is also off to the NFL. It remains to be seen what other senior players like Andre Anthony, Jabril Cox and Austin Deculus will do.