Interview: 3-Star 2019 Arizona FS Avery Carrington Working Hard for Championship Defense

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The grit, determination, and hard work that goes into forming a championship team goes beyond simple words and phrases – in summation, it isn’t easy. After winning a title, that hard work does not dissipate at the top of the mountain, it just puts a bigger target on said team forced to take even more shots, game after game, from everyone trying to knock off the best of the best. The difficult task of repeating either breaks teams or makes a team even stronger. At Chandler High School, the Wolves are always in the hunt for an Arizona state title. In 2016-17, the Wolves did the improbable reeling off back-to-back state titles. If a three-peat is to occur, Chandler will need all they can get from top players like Avery Carrington.

Winning a title takes a total team effort, but safe to say the Wolves would not have been as terrific in 2017 without their playmaking free safety. Carrington roamed the back line of defense coming up with 85 tackles, 34 solo, one tackle for a loss, half-a-sack, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 14 games earning second team All-Conference honors.

Chandler is one of the nation’s powerhouse programs forcing college coaches to take notice of the talent on the team, and that is working in Carrington’s favor. Thus far, the 6-2.5, 194-pound, safety has earned three offers from Army, Liberty, and New Mexico State with Pac-12 programs like Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru offseason update interview, I sat down with Carrington covering his growing skillset, offseason workouts, and recruiting process.

Interview

Avery, the Wolves ran the table in the playoffs capturing a 6A state title, how did the playoff run help push your game forward?

“The playoff run is something we look forward to; it is something that impacts us greatly. It helps us get better. Going against these top players in the playoffs, that pushes me to show my abilities and step up my game. In the playoffs, I show everyone that I can play with them anytime and anyplace.”

What is one aspect of your game that was a weakness when the 2017 season began as a safety but by the end of the year you had turned it into a strength?

“Early in the 2017 season, I was getting used to a new scheme after transferring from Hamilton. At Chandler, we run a man look instead of a zone. My coaches at Chandler helped me with one-on-one reps, the plays, and terminology so I could improve my overall game and so I could get my guys in the right place. My football IQ improved a lot from the beginning of the season to the end.”

One can tell that you like to come down the alley on running plays, what else do you feel you do well on the field?

“My cover skills in a zone, they are instinctive. I have a feel for QBs throwing. That is a necessary skill as a safety. I am always playing head games with quarterbacks.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“I am working on man-to-man reps and just working on my overall game. I am working on a smoother back pedal, getting faster out of my breaks, and I am staying in the weight room.”

Will we see you at multiple positions during your senior year?

“I may play some receiver this year, but on defense I am staying at free safety.”

Have you been to any camps this offseason?

“I went to the LA Nike Opening Regional and to an Adidas Three-Stripe Camp.”

How did the LA Nike Regional go?

“It went well. That camp gave me a different look. It was great getting out there against all the top guys in California; the best in LA. You get a different look at camps like that. By the end of the camp, I was named a Top 50 overall player.”

Congrats.

“Thank you.”

Do you have any college camps on the schedule for this summer?

“I am thinking of going to a Washington camp and I am going to San Diego State for a 7v7 tournament.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered yet?

“Colorado, San Diego State, Arizona, and Arizona State are showing interest.”

Which schools have offered you so far?

“Army, Liberty, and New Mexico State have offered.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits?

“I have visited ASU and Arizona. I recently went to Arizona for their spring game.”

How did the Arizona spring game visit go?

“It was cool. I met Coach (Kevin) Sumlin (head coach). They said they will be on the lookout for me. We’ll see how it goes.”

Do you have any other planned visits?

“SDSU.”

How is everything in the classroom?

“My GPA is a 3.1.”

Nice. Have you taken the ACT and/or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT today (Tuesday). I’ll know my score in about three weeks.”

 

Back to football. When do the Wolves start spring and/or summer ball?

“We start spring ball on May 7.”

How is the team looking so far in run-arounds and in the weight room?

“We look sound this year. I think we will have a really good defense. We got some transfers in along the defensive line and at corner. Everyone is looking strong in the weight room.”

The Aug. 17 game against Centennial (Corona, CA), is that game marked and circled on your calendar?

“Yes. That is our first one. We start early this year. We have to get ready for that one. I’m sure we will have extra practices to get ready for that one.”

What has you hyped now about the showcase game against Centennial?

“Oh man. I’ve heard a lot about them and a lot about their running backs. I have heard a lot about their receivers too, but there is nothing that we can’t do. We beat Northwestern (Miami) last year. Our defense is very good. We are running things on offense, people do not know what we are doing. Our offensive coordinator has that down. Our offense confuses a lot of people. They don’t know how to defend us.”

Avery, thanks for your time today and good luck with spring ball.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: ArizonaVarsity.com; No. 11 Avery Carrington in action

Photo credit: Carrington family; Avery Carrington at Arizona