Alabama Class of 2016 commitment is electric on the field

Exclusive interview with Shyheim Carter

 

Quick, elusive, playmaker, athlete, scoring machine, dynamic, you pick the equivalence and it fits for Kentwood High School’s Shyheim Carter. With his game breaking 4.36 40-yard dash speed it seems more fitting to just call him “Mr. Electric.”

At 6’1”, 190 pounds, Mr. Electric is truly an AC/DC current of power on both sides of the field lining up at cornerback, running back, and even at quarterback in a Wildcat offensive set. He has the type of speed that can get most players in trouble but he shows gridiron wisdom beyond his years choosing to not outrun his blockers but allow plays to develop in front of him before blowing past the competition.

Carter’s athleticism is truly unfair for the opposition. A defense looks like they have him bottled up on any number of runs on a short side of the field but then he changes direction, ala Barry Sanders, ripping off a 30 or 40-yard touchdown run. Just when defenses key on the Louisiana native to run in the Wildcat, he uncorks a 30-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone.

If college coaches were not excited enough about Carter on offense or on defense, watching him on special teams opens up a whole other world of ways he can change and win games with his legs. Dipping and weaving in and out of traffic he keeps his balance while bouncing off defenders using quick bursts of speed in space to create confusion and running lanes. Next thing you know he’s found the end zone again.

In an exclusive interview the Kentwood, Louisiana star sat down to talk about his play on the field, committing to Alabama while living in Louisiana, and his plans for the 2015 season.

 

Shyheim, the Kangaroos (9-3) had a nice run into the third round of the playoffs before losing to Mangham 42-27. Looking back on the season how do you feel about the season?

“The team played great. We played as a team, win or lose. Even though we lost in the semifinals I still feel like we had a great season.”

What were some of the strengths of the Kentwood team this year?

“We had good coaching, a lot of talent, and made big plays all year. Our skill position players were strong. We did a lot of plays trying to get the ball to the outside to get one-on-one with our speed.

“On defense, as a whole the defense was very good, one of the best defenses in the program’s history in a long time. The defensive line did a good job and our corners did a good job too.”

How does the team look heading into next season?

“We’re losing a lot of seniors but we’ll be good again next year.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“I can do it all. Not trying to be cocky but I feel like I can. Lining up at cornerback I can cover the pass, I can play the run, and I can play a zone.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“My goal is to be district champs. I want us to go undefeated and then go to state.”

Any personal goals for on the field play?

“On defense I want 12 picks, 6-7 pick-sixes. On offense I have no goals. I just want to produce. When they call my number I want to make plays.”

You’re committed to the Crimson Tide, why did you pick Alabama?

“The atmosphere there is great. Every time I go up there it’s a fun environment. There’s nothing like it anywhere else.”

How difficult is it being an Alabama commitment living in Louisiana with one more year of high school football left to play?

“It’s been very difficult being in Louisiana and being committed to Alabama. Everybody keeps asking me “when will I change my commitment?”

Have you taken unofficial visits to LSU?

“I’ve taken several trips down to LSU.”

Do the LSU coaches give you a tough time or a hard sell while you’re visiting?

“When I’m there I barely get to talk to the coaches. They haven’t put too much pressure on me. They started recruiting me over the summer after I committed to Alabama.”

What other schools are actively recruiting you?

“Georgia, Miami, Clemson, Ole Miss, MSU… a lot of schools.”

Do you know what schools will get your official visits yet?

“I don’t know yet.”

When you’ve talked to the various college coaches what have they told you they like about your game?

“Certain coaches really like when I play corner and receiver, some like me at running back. When I talk to the Georgia coaches, they like the way I play both sides of the ball. They want me to play on both sides there.”

What position do you want to play at the next level?

“I really want to play corner but I’m willing to play wide receiver if that’s what the team needs.”

Do you know which college camps you may attend in the offseason?

“We haven’t talked about that yet. I’m planning on going to Alabama twice over the summer. Not sure where else I may go beyond that.”

Do you participate in any other sports for Kentwood outside of football?

“I run track.”

Which events?

“I run the 100, 200, 4×1, and 4×2.”

What’s your best time in the 100 meters and 200 meters?

“I think in the 100 my best was 10.5 (best in state) and in the 200 my best time was 21.8 (best in state).

Is there a moment in your life that has inspired your football career?

“Yes, sitting in the stands for the Iron Bowl. It was crazy, over 100,000 people yelling and screaming. I was in the stands shocked the whole game. It really made me feel like I could become a part of any college football team and have the same experiences as the players on the field.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I just have a love for the game. If I could play football 24/7 I would. That’s the love I have for the game.”

 

Shyheim, or Mr. Electric if you will, was First-Team All-State as a sophomore. The 2014 honors have not come out yet but one can be sure he will be listed somewhere with honors if not with multiple honors.

During the interview I asked Shyheim how many tackles and picks he had this season. Not worried about his stats he said, “I don’t know, over 70 tackles and five or six picks?”

I asked him about his offensive production. Again, “I don’t know, I think I had 25 or 26 touchdowns this year. I played quarterback pretty much the whole second half of the season.”

Coaches that took the field early in the season against Kentwood found out the hard way not to kick to Shyheim on punt returns. He had four taken back for touchdowns before the opposition refused to kick his way.

Alabama always seems to get the best talent and with the recruiting of young Mr. Carter, football fans across the nation can understand why. Congratulations to the Crimson Tide staff for realizing, ahead of all the other coaches in the nation, just how great Shyheim was before entering his junior season.

Guys like Mr. Electric build names for themselves at programs like Alabama. Because of guys like Shyheim programs like Alabama develop a rich tradition in the college football history books. Expect Shyheim to contribute to that legacy starting in 2016.

 

Photo credit: nola.com; Shyheim at a LSU day camp.

Photo credit: nola.com; Shyheim with Nick Saban.