In his final game at Alabama – a 35-16 victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020 – Shyheim Carter was on the field with a Crimson Tide defense that included future NFL Draft picks Raekwon Davis, Christian Harris, Anfernee Jennings, Phidarian Mathis, Xavier McKinney, Patrick Surtain II and Byron Young.
Carter was not drafted, but he still has spent four seasons in the NFL. He credits his time at Alabama “being coached by the best -- coach Saban, one of the, if not the, greatest coach to ever coach football.”
“Just being around him,” Carter said, “he taught me valuable life lessons that helped me from my stint in college to transforming into the pros. He taught me how to be a pro, he taught me how to take care of business, so just a huge shoutout to coach Saban for that.”
After being released by the Tennessee Titans at the end of the NFL preseason in August, Carter did not return to the league. But he’s back in football with the Birmingham Stallions, who opened training camp for their 2025 season this week.
“Just my love for the game,” Carter said of his reasons for signing with the United Football League. “I still wanted to play ball. I still wanted to get out here and compete at the highest level. Still wanted to be around a football team, so that’s why I’m here to just handle business and win a ring.”
During his NFL career, Carter has been with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans and Titans. Most of Carter’s time in the NFL has been spent on practice squads, but he played in three regular-season games with Tennessee in 2023.
“It’s just all in God’s plan,” Carter said about continuing his football career in a spring league. “That’s all I can say. Give it all to God and let him handle it and just be where my feet are. Just take it day by day. I’ve been at the mountaintop in the NFL, and now I’m here. But it’s no slack-off for me and the guys. I’m just going out there competing, and like I said, give it all to God.”
After competing against NFL players in five training camps, Carter has found the UFL is keen on competition, too.
“Some of the guys that I’ve been knowing whether it’s been through training or if I know them personally or just heard of their names, it’s just great competition in this league,” Carter said. “Man, I’m looking forward to it, going to war with my guys and battling against other teams. It’s great competition. I’m just looking forward to it.”
In Carter’s background, he’s been a versatile piece in the secondary and on special teams. He said he’s up for all of that and more in 2025.
“Wherever they need me at, whatever position,” Carter said. “I’m a defensive player. Offensive player, too, for those who didn’t know. But, yeah, a defensive player, for sure. Anywhere they need me, I can fill that role in and be a valuable player there.”
The Stallions have won three consecutive championships – in the USFL in 2022 and 2023 and the UFL in 2024.
“I came here to keep that rolling, to keep that going,” Carter said. “But it’s a new year, a new team, new people, so whatever happened in the past happened in the past. And that’s in the past for a reason. Now you have to be where your feet are and take advantage of a new opportunity.”
An opportunity to win a championship.
“I’m a winner, so I like to win,” Carter said. “I love to win. I hate losing more than I like winning, so that should tell you everything right there. Coach don’t like when people speak about these type of things, but, man, we definitely trying to win it. Definitely trying to win it. That’s the end goal. That’s everybody’s end goal. But we definitely want to put the work in and see where it takes us. Leave it all up to God.”
