Survivor 51 · The Open Era
Carter Krull
- Age
- 24
- Occupation
- Livestock farmer
- From
- Rock Rapids, IA · lives in Sioux Falls, SD
A livestock farmer out of Rock Rapids, Iowa, now in Sioux Falls, with two side businesses: a moving company he started with a friend and a snow cone truck. He played football at Central Lyon High School and the University of Sioux Falls, and builds epoxy river tables in his spare time.
GAME STATE
Inherited Rob's idol, missed the boat back to Savu and became a Toka by accident. Then swung the 6-5 vote onto Patt with Lewis. +1.
Carter's season so far
- Season
- +5
- Solo
- 0
- Tribe wins
- 1
- of 21
- #14
- Episode 3“What I’m Smellin’ Is Stinky”+1
Rob quits, and it's so cringeRob spent the night after Tribal alone on the dark beach, nursing a foot nobody had heard about. Eric found him there and didn't buy a word. By morning Dr. Barry had found one tiny cut and no infection, nothing to pull him for. Rob asked about the risk anyway, then asked to go home, and slipped his idol to Carter on the way out. 
Tribe Swap: for the afternoon, or for good?Savu drew Carter at random to visit Toka, and Devin volunteered to go the other way. Each got the same note: there's an advantage at the other camp, and you can mutiny and stay. Devin took one look at rain-soaked Savu, found a Secret Extra Vote on the well's ladle with Sharonda, and went home. Carter hadn't committed to the mutiny, went hunting for oars Toka had already smashed, and missed the boat. He's a Toka now, holding Rob's idol.Lost the journey−2In on the blindside+2Safe at Tribal+1 - Episode 2“Weaponized Honesty”+1Safe at Tribal+1
- Episode 1“Permanent Uncertainty”+3TRIBE1 win +3
Carter plays like…
Matched on Carter's game so far (blindsider). It changes as the season does.
Carter's orbit
As of Episode 3. Closer means a stronger bond. From the votes, the scenes the recaps wrote up, and relationships our editors have confirmed.
Bonds
- Lewis · allyThe two swing votes on Toka. They voted Patt together and decided the 6-5 vote.
- Rob · allySavu trio partners with Ana. Rob gave Carter his idol when he quit.
- Thien An · voted togetherVoted together for Patt in Ep 3.
- Ana · voted togetherVoted together for Eric in Ep 2.
- Kilby · voted togetherVoted together for Patt in Ep 3.
- Jenna · voted togetherVoted together for Patt in Ep 3.
- Maggie · voted togetherVoted together for Patt in Ep 3.
- Ori · voted togetherVoted together for Eric in Ep 2.
- Devin · on screen togetherOn screen together in “Tribe Swap: for the afternoon, or for good?”.
The preseason read
One of three farmers in this cast, which is a genuinely unusual concentration. Farmers are the classic Survivor value pick: physically capable without reading as a threat, comfortable being wet, tired and uncomfortable for weeks, and useful at camp from hour one. At 24 he is the youngest of the three.
What to watch for
Shelter and fire in the first 48 hours. That is where farmers buy their safety.
Off the island
- 1He co-founded a moving company called MOVE MOVE MOVE — most of the effort, he says, went into the name.
- 2He also runs a snow cone truck, which he credits with putting him in a tropical mood for Survivor.
- 3He builds epoxy river tables; his grandfather built his own house and his shop teacher taught him the resin work.
- 4At 24 he is the youngest man in the cast, and only the second South Dakota resident ever to play.
In Carter's words
- What prepared him
- “Opened a snow cone truck, kind of put me in a tropical mood.”
- Pet peeve
- “If you chew with your mouth open — you just as well pack your bags and head home.”
Answers given to CBS and published by Entertainment Weekly, August 2026.
TREEMAIL
Latest articles & podcasts featuring Carter
Who Will Win Survivor 51? Final 17 Winner Analysis
Once Upon An Island
The Bizarre History of Survivor's Mutiny Twist
Survivor Specialists (YouTube)
Rob Antonson defends his controversial ‘Survivor’ exit and rule-breaking self-vote: ‘It looks like I just quit … that’s my fault’
Gold Derby
Carter has never played Survivor before. The preseason read and what to watch for are speculation built from the age, occupation and hometown CBS announced on August 26, 2026 — draft-table conversation, not scouting. The biography, facts and quotes come from Carter's published cast questionnaire and press coverage. Now that the season is airing, we're replacing the guesswork with what actually happens.
About Survivor 51
Survivor 51 is subtitled The Open Era: for the first time, every twist, idol and advantage from the show's first fifty seasons is back in play, in any order and without warning. All 21 players are first-timers, and they start in just two tribes — the first two-tribe season since Winners at War. Filmed in Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. Premiered Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 8/7c on CBS with a two-hour episode.
More to explore
The Cast
All 21 first-timers, ranked 1–21, with the numbers behind the cast list.
Head to Head
Any two castaways side by side: points by kind, episode by episode, and what they shared on screen.
Elimination Order
Who went home, when, and how the boot order is shaping up.
Survivor Bingo
Free printable watch-party cards. Share the link, share the card.