Carter O’Donnell Bio
Carter O’Donnell (born December 23, 1998) is a Canadian professional football offensive tackle for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed at 315 lb, he has built a career across both the National Football League and the CFL since turning professional in 2020. Known for his size and athleticism developed through the U Sports ranks, O’Donnell has played for several organizations, including the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals.
Early Life and Background
Carter O’Donnell was born on December 23, 1998, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in Alberta and attended Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer, where he began developing the size and skill set that would later define his offensive line profile. His early football environment in Alberta helped shape his foundation as a prospect.
Coming out of high school, O’Donnell committed to the University of Alberta, joining one of the most respected U Sports football programs in Canada. His combination of length, strength, and footwork made him a natural fit at the offensive tackle position, and he continued to add good weight while refining his technique during his university development.
Path to American Football
O’Donnell played U Sports football for the Alberta Golden Bears from 2016 to 2019, appearing in one of the strongest amateur pipelines for Canadian offensive linemen. Throughout his four seasons with the program, he earned recognition as one of the top U Sports linemen in the country, and his play against high-level Canadian competition prepared him for an opportunity at the professional ranks.
At the conclusion of the 2019 U Sports season, O’Donnell was ranked as the third best player in the Canadian Football League’s Amateur Scouting Bureau final rankings for players eligible in the 2020 CFL Draft. He was also ranked first among U Sports players in those final rankings, underscoring his standing as a premier prospect. He was selected in the third round, 22nd overall, by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2020 CFL Draft.
That same year, O’Donnell became one of only two U Sports football players invited to the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl, a prestigious all-star game held in the United States. The invitation gave him valuable exposure to NFL scouts and helped open the door to opportunities south of the border.
Carter O’Donnell Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
O’Donnell went unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft but officially signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts on April 29, 2020. He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, beginning a familiar cycle of practice squad movement that is common for young offensive linemen.
On January 10, 2021, O’Donnell signed a reserve/futures contract with the Colts. He was waived again on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He later signed another reserve/future contract on January 10, 2022, and was placed on injured reserve on August 2, 2022, while continuing to develop within the Indianapolis organization.
Indianapolis Colts Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Throughout his time in Indianapolis, O’Donnell worked steadily to earn a more permanent role on the offensive line. On March 15, 2023, he signed a contract extension with the Colts, an indication that the organization viewed him as a developmental piece with long-term value. His persistence through multiple practice squad stints and an injured reserve period helped him grow into a more polished professional prospect.
Despite the extension, O’Donnell was waived by the Colts on August 30, 2023, as teams trimmed their rosters toward the regular season. The waiver marked the end of his initial NFL chapter with Indianapolis but quickly led to a new opportunity elsewhere in the league.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–2024)
On August 31, 2023, O’Donnell was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, giving him a fresh start at the NFL level. He appeared in five games for Arizona during the 2023 season, earning three starts at offensive tackle and showcasing the skills he had refined in Indianapolis.
O’Donnell’s tenure with the Cardinals was cut short when he was waived/injured on July 23, 2024. Although his time in Arizona was brief, his three starts represented meaningful NFL game experience and reinforced his resume as a tackle capable of contributing at the highest North American level.
Edmonton Elks Era (2025–Present)
The Edmonton Elks announced on September 2, 2025, that they had signed O’Donnell, bringing the Canadian offensive tackle back to his home country’s professional ranks. The move marked a homecoming of sorts for the Calgary-born lineman, who had spent the previous five seasons developing within NFL organizations.
Returning to the CFL allows O’Donnell to play a featured role with his hometown province’s team while bringing back the lessons learned from years in the Indianapolis and Arizona systems. His signing was viewed as a notable addition for the Elks as they continued to reshape their offensive line.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 ft 5 in and 315 lb, O’Donnell brings the prototypical offensive tackle frame, with the length to handle edge rushers and the mass to anchor against power defenders. His background in U Sports football, combined with NFL practice and game experience, has helped him develop a balanced style that emphasizes leverage, hand placement, and steady footwork. He projects as a dependable pass-protecting and run-blocking presence along the Elks offensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among O’Donnell’s signature milestones are his invitation to the 2020 East-West Shrine Bowl as one of only two U Sports players selected, and his ranking as the top U Sports player in the CFL Amateur Scouting Bureau final rankings for the 2020 CFL Draft. He also earned three NFL starts with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, a marker of his progression from undrafted free agent to a player trusted with a starting role.
Carter O’Donnell Career Wins
Carter O’Donnell’s career has been defined more by perseverance and developmental growth than by a long list of individual awards. As an offensive lineman, his statistical record centers on games played and games started rather than traditional win totals, but his journey from undrafted free agent to NFL starter and back to the CFL represents a notable competitive arc.
CFL Highlights
O’Donnell’s most prominent pre-professional recognition came when he was selected 22nd overall by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2020 CFL Draft, following a top-ranked U Sports finish. As of his signing with the Edmonton Elks in September 2025, he had not yet played a regular-season CFL game, with his professional career to that point having unfolded in the NFL.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NFL, O’Donnell appeared in five games and started three for the Arizona Cardinals during the 2023 season. He also spent significant time on practice squads and reserve lists with the Indianapolis Colts from 2020 through 2022, building the technical foundation that eventually produced his NFL starts.
Carter O’Donnell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Carter O’Donnell’s parents and broader family background are limited, and verified information about his immediate family has not been widely published. His upbringing in Calgary, Alberta, and his development within the Alberta football community form the core of what is publicly known about his personal roots.
Personal Life
O’Donnell is a Canadian national who grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and later attended Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer before enrolling at the University of Alberta. Publicly available verified information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been confirmed at this time.
2025 Season Performance
O’Donnell joined the Edmonton Elks on September 2, 2025, joining the team late in the CFL season after several years south of the border. His arrival gave the Elks an experienced offensive tackle with both NFL game exposure and a strong U Sports pedigree, providing a boost to their offensive line depth down the stretch.
With his combination of size, technical polish, and professional experience, O’Donnell is expected to compete for a meaningful role along the Edmonton offensive front as the team evaluates its long-term roster plans. His progression from undrafted NFL free agent to CFL signee reflects a player determined to extend his career at the highest levels available to him.
Looking ahead, O’Donnell’s 2025 campaign with the Elks will serve as an important bridge between his NFL chapter and his future in the Canadian game. His mix of CFL Draft pedigree and proven NFL starts positions him as a potential cornerstone of the Edmonton offensive line in the seasons that follow.