KANNAPOLIS — Saying that A.L. Brown football phenom Chris Carter is on the quiet side is as much an understatement as saying that Tiger Woods is decent with a 7-iron.
“I’ve had trips with Chris where we’ve been in the car together for a few hours,” smiles Wonders head coach Ron Massey. “It’s always been a little bit of a struggle to get a conversation going.”
Not that Massey’s complaining. This is an age in sports when trash talk rules. Louder is too often perceived as better. So when a genuine star goes about his business at a lower volume than the water boy, it’s not a problem.
In fact, it’s downright refreshing to see a talented kid talk with his flying feet and shoulder pads, rather than his flapping gums.
Carter’s not much for speeches, but he’s the ultimate leader-by-example. Massey says he silently attacked a Tuesday practice with the same intensity as a Concord game.
“You worry about the kids with the most potential practicing hard,” says Massey. “Chris always did.”
“That’s how I was brought up,” says Carter. “I don’t like to do anything wrong. I want everything to be perfect.”
When Clemson offered Carter a scholarship last week, Massey, who had lobbied long and hard for his guy, was so tickled he wanted to shout. Carter just smiled and said, “Thank you, sir.”
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Clemson coaches had their eyes on Carter for quite some time. No shock there. The twist to the story is that the Tigers covet the racehorse running back as a corner.
Carter ran wild for the Wonders the past two seasons. Massey’s system took advantage of Carter’s versatility, getting him the ball on the edge as often as possible. Carter responded with massive numbers — 2,313 rushing yards and 33 TDs on the ground, plus 44 catches for 811 yards and 13 TDs through the air. He was a high school Marshall Faulk.
“First time I saw Chris on film, I didn’t think he had real good hands,” chuckles Massey. “I was wrong. He made all kinds of spectacular, athletic catches.”
During the regular season, Massey didn’t use Carter on defense — he was too vital on offense — but the coach knew all along that at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, Carter’s future was as a DB. That’s why he employed Carter at corner in summer passing leagues and scrimmages. Those outings provided a nice tape collection to send out to colleges.
Once the film clips reached their destinations, coaches started calling. But there were traces of skepticism in their voices.
“Chris just looked too small on film,” said Massey. “Sometimes, it’s hard to tell.”
Fortunately, Clemson was interested enough to send coaches to Kannapolis during one of the evaluation periods.
“That gave them a chance to eyeball Chris in person in our weight room,” said Massey. “You see Chris with his shirt off and it makes a difference. People are always amazed that someone his size can be so physical and strong.”
As a junior, Carter acquired a taste for hoisting steel. Under the watchful eye of assistant coaches Aubrey Hollifield (a former Wake lineman) and Todd Hagler (a former UNC conditioning coach), Carter got strong. And then he got stronger, becoming a member of the Wonders’ Ultimate Barbarian Club, an honor usually reserved for the big boys.
“I think,” grins Carter, coming as close as he ever will to bragging, “that the coaches who saw me were stunned.”
Who can blame them? Carter is a stud. He bench-presses 325 pounds (more than twice his body weight). He runs a 4.45 40-yard dash. For good measure, he showed off a seeing-is-believing vertical jump of 40 inches.
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After Tiger coaches watched Carter practice at cornerback during the week of the Shrine Bowl, they were sold. Their only fear was that other D-I schools might jump on the Carter bandwagon.
They didn’t. Clemson was his only official visit.
Carter went to Clemson last weekend and toured the campus with a similarly sized cornerback, Ryan Hemby, who’s already made a name for himself. Carter handed the jubilant Tigers a verbal commitment as soon as they offered a scholarship.
“Chris was one of the first two corners Clemson offered,” said Massey. “Their first choices were Chris and a kid from Kentucky.”
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Massey says Carter has a chance to wear an orange shirt, not a red one, next season, because the Tigers lost two cornerbacks.
“Chris could be in their nickel package as early as next year,” he said.
Carter grins when asked about the possibility of taking on Florida State’s Nick Maddox next season. Like most Wonders, Carter looks up to the Seminole running back. But before that K-Town confrontation can take place, Carter has to master his new position.
“I’m going to miss running the ball,” he said. “But I’ll be glad to learn something different. I’ll work hard. I know cornerback is my best opportunity.”
It’s an opportunity that could conceivably carry him to the highest level of all.
“The things NFL teams are always looking for are defensive linemen who can rush the passer and corners who can cover,” said Massey. “Chris has the athletic ability to be a cover guy.”
“The NFL, that’s the big dream,” said Carter. “I have thought about it. But I’m going one step at a time.”
One very quiet step at a time. But you can count on this kid’s steps always being in the right direction.
“Chris has earned the respect of his coaches, his teammates and the people he’s played against,” said Massey. “I’ve never once heard him make an excuse.”
Then again, no one’s ever heard Carter say much of anything.
But no one’s complaining, either.
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Contact Mike London at 704-797-4259 or mlondon@salisburypost.com
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