The Carter Effect

Hikes bring Carter closer to God, he says.

He wasn’t always the biggest hiker, but it was something he began to enjoy — looking at the scenery, walking, vocalizing his faith.

“I feel like when I’m just alone with Him in difficult times I feel so much closer with Him, I feel that our relationship is growing intimately,” Carter said. “It just makes it easier for me to hear God, to really hear his voice in the midst of the busyness with school and sports.”

As he continued up the mountain, Carter got to a point where he was voicing his feelings, his concerns with the decision that weighed heavy. It came down to trust.

“Trusting that the decision that I made is in His will and trusting that that was the right and a wise decision. It wasn’t an easy decision at all, but I have peace knowing that I trusted God and trusted His peace, I trusted the wise counsel of those who love me and I don’t regret it at all,” he said.

Carter grew up in Rochester, New York, a city more populous but with similar demographics to Hartford, surrounded by a religious family — his dad a minister and the founder of Joint Heirs Kingdom Ministry. His whole family evangelical, Carter has used his platform as a student-athlete to spread his beliefs through preaching at his dad’s church, posting on social media and on his podcast entitled The Carter Effect.

One of the few Division I-caliber talents in Western New York to actually make it that far, Carter’s recruitment to UConn was all about connections.

His coach at Bishop Kearney High, Richard Gause, knew several college coaches through his two sons, Quentin and Jojo, who both spent time playing at Rutgers. Quentin eventually made the NFL with the Denver Broncos in 2016, and Jojo transferred to Div. II Indiana University of Pennsylvania before eventually signing a contract to play in the Indoor Football League in 2020.

Carter decided to graduate high school early and enroll at UConn as a 17-yearold.

“My end goal definitely still is to play in the NFL,” Carter said. “I kind of rely on my faith and going where God leads me as far as what the direction is for me. I just try to live my life unashamed of my faith and publicizing it because I how I’m grateful for what God has done for my life and for my family’s lives.”