Apopka’s Carter revved up for senior season
Jalen Carter is quite excited to be a member of the Georgia Bulldogs’ 2020 recruiting class. The Apopka defensive tackle committed to the Dawgs during spring practice and he’s been all-in ever since.
“It feels good knowing that I’m committed to a college now and I’m settled and not thinking about any other colleges and I can get my work done and focus on school,” said Carter, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound Blue Darter whom many have compared to former Apopka standout Warren Sapp.
Sapp went on to have a successful career, playing for the University of Miami, Tampa Bay Bucs.and Oakland Raiders.
“That’s the first person I heard about,” Carter said of Sapp, who wasn’t the only Apopka star to go on to an NFL career. “It feels good knowing that they compare me to those types of players who were at Apopka before.”
Former Blue Darters star Chandler Cox was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in April while Apopka alum and current New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson has gotten off to a nice professional start. Fellow Blue Darters Brandon Merriweather and Sammie Smith also had decent NFL careers.
“It feels good because a couple people have come out of Apopka already, so it’s good to come in line with them and leave something good,” Carter said.
As a kid, Carter said he always dreamed of playing big-time college football and perhaps even going on to the NFL, so he knows he’s getting closer to reaching his goals.
“It’s a little weird because you are always thinking about that and wishing you could be that and now, in reality, I’m going to be doing that,” Carter said.
His main recruiter at Georgia has been defensive line coach Tray Scott and he’s built a good relationship with his new mentor.
“It’s been good. He’s the D-line coach, so you know our communication has got to be good,” Carter said.
There was a time when it looked as if Carter might try to play offense as a tight end, but he’s come around to what coaches think will be his best spot on the field in the defensive interior.
“I like it a lot. I can be aggressive and do whatever I want,” Carter said.
Carter gets a lot of comparisons to Tyler Davis, the No. 1-ranked player in last year’s Orlando Sentinel Super60 who has moved on to Clemson. Many college coaches see Carter as being faster than Davis and he certainly has height over the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Davis.
“Tyler is a good player and I played with him in little league,” Carter said. “He’s like one of my brothers.”
Carter will return to the Georgia campus this week for Dawg Night. He’s looking forward to the trip as he continues to get to know his future school, coaches and teammates.
He’ll also help recruit players visiting the Georgia campus who have yet to make their college choice.
He’s also eager to deliver a strong high school football season.
Carter wants to make sure everyone who second-guesses him knows he’s an SEC-caliber player.
First and foremost, he wants to help the Blue Darters compete for a state championship. Apopka has won three state titles since 2001, the latest in 2014, and Carter would like to help his teammates get back to the Class 8A podium.
They’ll have to do it this season under a new-but-familiar face in new head coach Jeff Rolson, who had been an assistant to former coach Rick Darlington for several years before stepping away from coaching for the past two years. Rolson was the defensive coordinator for each of Apopka’s previous state title teams.
“It’s the same old Apopka,” Carter said. “Coach Rolson was there when Coach D was there, so it’s the same stuff. There isn’t really much change. Our defensive is very good and I think we’re gonna turn out to be a good team.”