Carter Coughlin Bio
Carter Coughlin (born July 21, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was selected by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) and listed at around 240 lb (109 kg), Coughlin has built his reputation as a hard-working edge defender who developed into a reliable depth piece and special teams contributor at the professional level.
After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Giants, Coughlin re-signed with the organization in March 2024 before being released during final roster cuts and brought back on the practice squad. He continues to be part of the New York Giants linebacker room and remains active within the team as he enters the next phase of his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Carter Coughlin was born on July 21, 1997, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and grew up in the same Twin Cities suburb where he would later become a high school star. He attended Eden Prairie High School, a program well known across the state for producing college-level talent. From an early age, Coughlin balanced multiple sports, playing both basketball and football while developing the physical tools and competitive habits that would shape his future on the gridiron.
On the football field, Coughlin helped lead the Eden Prairie Eagles to back-to-back state championships during his sophomore and junior seasons, establishing himself as one of the most dependable defenders in Minnesota high school football. As a senior, he recorded 35 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery, performances that earned him first-team All-State honors. His senior campaign also included an invitation to the All-American Bowl, a showcase that highlighted his status as one of the top prep prospects in the region.
Rated as a four-star recruit, Coughlin attracted offers from several Big Ten and Power Five programs, including Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Oregon, and Wisconsin. He ultimately chose to stay in his home state and committed to the University of Minnesota, a decision that allowed him to continue his development close to family while joining a conference he had grown up watching.
Path to American Football
Coughlin’s path to major college football began in earnest at Eden Prairie, where his combination of size, speed, and instincts made him a natural fit as an edge rusher and outside linebacker. His back-to-back state titles provided early evidence of his big-game temperament, while his senior statistics and All-American Bowl selection confirmed that he could compete with the nation’s top high school talent.
His recruitment by high-profile programs such as Ohio State, Oregon, and Wisconsin underscored how highly college coaches valued his pass-rushing potential. By choosing Minnesota, Coughlin aligned himself with a program that had a recent tradition of producing NFL-caliber defensive linemen and linebackers, giving him a clear developmental pathway from the Big Ten to professional football.
Carter Coughlin Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Carter Coughlin enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 2016 and immediately contributed as a true freshman. He appeared in 11 games during his first season and finished the year with 25 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks, showing enough promise to earn a larger role the following year.
As a sophomore, Coughlin stepped into a starting role at outside linebacker and broke out statistically. He led the Golden Gophers with 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. His junior season in 2018 produced 48 tackles, a team-leading 9.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles, performance levels that secured him second-team All-Big Ten honors. He repeated as a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019 after registering 49 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, cementing his status as one of the conference’s most productive edge defenders.
New York Giants Era (2020–Present)
Coughlin entered the NFL when the New York Giants selected him in the seventh round with the 218th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. As a late-round pick, he was expected to compete for a depth role and contribute on special teams while adjusting to the speed and complexity of professional football. One of the defining moments of his rookie season came in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, when Coughlin recorded his first career sack, taking down quarterback Tom Brady during a 25–23 Buccaneers win.
Over the next several seasons, Coughlin settled into a role as a rotational linebacker and core special teams player for the Giants. On November 1, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve, a setback that interrupted his second NFL campaign but did not derail his standing with the organization. By the time his rookie contract expired, he had compiled 41 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across his Giants tenure to that point.
On March 11, 2024, Coughlin re-signed with the Giants, signaling the franchise’s continued belief in his versatility and locker-room value. He was released on September 5 during final roster cuts but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad, allowing him to remain within the organization and continue developing within New York’s defensive system.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Carter Coughlin is recognized for his relentless effort, sound tackling form, and willingness to embrace special teams duties. He uses his length and leverage well at the line of scrimmage, sets a firm edge against the run, and flashes the kind of closing burst that produced his first NFL sack on a future Hall of Fame quarterback. His versatility to play both on the ball and in coverage packages has helped him remain a valuable rotational piece within the Giants defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout moments of Carter Coughlin’s career, his first NFL sack on Tom Brady on Monday Night Football stands out as a signature achievement for a late-round draft pick. He also earned two consecutive second-team All-Big Ten selections at Minnesota in 2018 and 2019, and he helped Eden Prairie capture back-to-back state championships during his sophomore and junior years of high school.
Carter Coughlin Career Wins
While Carter Coughlin’s statistical profile is built more on tackles, pressures, and disruptive plays than on traditional win columns, his résumé includes several notable milestones. His first NFL sack against Tom Brady and his two All-Big Ten honors stand as the most visible markers of his development from a four-star recruit to a reliable professional.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Highlights
During his four seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Carter Coughlin became one of the program’s most productive edge defenders of his era. He led the team in sacks during both his junior and senior seasons, posting 9.5 sacks in each of those campaigns, and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2019. His total of 49 tackles as a senior capped a college career defined by consistency, durability, and a steady climb in production.
Other Wins & Performances
At the high school level, Coughlin helped Eden Prairie win back-to-back state championships as a sophomore and junior, was named first-team All-State as a senior, and played in the All-American Bowl. Those achievements laid the foundation for his college honors and, ultimately, his selection in the 2020 NFL draft.
Carter Coughlin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carter Coughlin’s immediate family is limited. He was raised in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where he developed into a standout multi-sport athlete, but further details about his parents and any broader athletic lineage in the family are not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Carter Coughlin has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the football field. He is known to be active on social media, where he shares updates related to his training and team activities. Information regarding a spouse, partner, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Carter Coughlin’s role with the New York Giants remains centered on providing experienced depth at linebacker and contributing on special teams. Following his release and subsequent re-signing to the practice squad in September 2024, he is positioned to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp and the preseason.
Within the Giants’ defensive scheme, Coughlin’s familiarity with the playbook and his versatility as an edge defender give him a realistic path to meaningful snaps if injuries arise or if his performance in camp warrants a promotion. His history of producing in situational roles, including his sack of Tom Brady as a rookie, continues to be a selling point for the coaching staff.
As the 2025 campaign unfolds, Coughlin’s outlook depends largely on his ability to stay healthy, continue contributing on special teams, and capitalize on any opportunities that emerge within the linebacker rotation. A strong camp and a steady preseason could allow him to reclaim a regular role on the active roster and add to his list of professional milestones.