AUBURN, Ala. – Craig Carter always knew that one day he was going to attend Auburn University, but the dream was always to play football for the Tigers.
"Growing up a fan and seeing the gamedays showed me that there is something special about this place," Carter said. "My dad went to school here, so I grew up an Auburn fan my whole life. I loved Auburn ever since I started watching football."
Carter's college career didn't initially begin at Auburn. He played football at the University of West Georgia in 2015 and 2016 before transferring to the Plains in the fall of 2017. He still vividly remembers the phone call that turned his dream into a reality.
"The best memory I have is the day I got the call to attend practice because I had made the team," Carter said. "You can't really describe it because you have to see it for yourself and feel the connection. I was that kid that went to A-Day games trying to get Cam Newton's, Tre Mason's, and all the legends' autographs. To be on the team now -- that means a lot because the Auburn family means everything to me."
Now a senior, Carter is on track to graduate this December with a degree in agricultural business. Because he transferred, it still feels like he just got to Auburn. But this will be his final season playing football for the Tigers.
"The thing I am looking forward to the most is Senior Day and my last Iron Bowl as a player," Carter said. "I think we have a good season ahead of us, so I am excited for my last season on the Plains. I have one more year of football left, and I want to make it the best year of football I have ever had."
As a walk-on at Auburn, Carter knows the value of hard work as well as anybody. He also knows full well the dedication that it takes to be a student-athlete, especially as a football player.
"Everything with football has set me up for success after I graduate," he said. "You put everything you have into the workouts and practice, and you still have class, meetings with tutors, meeting with coaches, film, homework, and trying to fit in a social life. It teaches you to manage your time wisely and instills a great work ethic."
Carter doesn't know what's next after he graduates, but that structure has made him consider another lifelong dream of his – joining the military and serving his country.
Before he leaves Auburn, though, Carter is using his motivation and the lessons that he's learned to teach the next generation of Auburn Tigers, passing along insight to all incoming student-athletes.
"Everything you do, do it 110 percent because it is not worth doing if you choose not to give it your all and then some," he says. "Do not just go through the motions. Find something you are passionate about and be about it, football and school alike."
Carter credits that attitude to the brotherhood he has experienced at Auburn with his fellow teammates, and as he prepares for his final season, he is quick to praise his peers for the journey he has shared with them over the last two years.
"I love everybody on the team," Carter said. "I am sure a lot of people say that, but I truly do, because we all get along.
"We have a special kind of talent on the team this year. Watching the defense develop from this spring is very exciting, and we all gel very well as a team. It's not just the defense and the offense -- it is one team. We compete against each other to better one another. No one is selfish; everyone wants each other to get better.
"Everybody comes from different backgrounds, has different stories, and got here different ways. But everyone cares for each other deep down.
"No matter if you are the starting quarterback or a walk-on defensive back, everyone knows each other's names. We are all cool with each other, and all hang out with each other. It is just an Auburn family."