High school career

Carpenter attended Hephzibah High School in Hephzibah, Georgia, where he played offensive guard for the Hephzibah Rebels high school football team.

Considered a two-star recruit by Scout.com, Carpenter was listed as the No. 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.

College career

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 No. 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 Tech, Oklahoma and Ole Miss, 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.

Professional career

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 ACL injury and being placed on the injured reserve. Carpenter was limited to 7 games in 2012 still recovering from an ACL injury. In 2013, Carpenter appeared in 16 games with 10 starts, the year Seattle attended Super Bowl XLVIII and defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8, giving Carpenter his first career championship title and the Seahawks their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. 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.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]