Zachary Carter, a versatile defensive lineman who starred at Hillsborough and Florida, was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the NFL Draft.

He is the third local to be taken on the second day of the draft, joining Christian Watson (Plant/North Dakota State), who went to the Green Bay Packers in the third round, and Nicholas Petit-Frere (Berkeley Prep/Ohio State), who was a third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans.

In the past two seasons, Carter shined, leading the Gators with five sacks in 2020 and finishing with eight sacks and 32 tackles this past season.

Carter switched jersey numbers this past year, donning No. 6 as a nod to former Lakewood and Florida standout Dante Fowler Jr., who signed with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.