Interview: 3-Star 2019 Arizona SS Avery Carrington Talks Nevada Verbal Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The beginnings of something special is in the works in Reno. The Wolfpack is making some noise on the recruiting trail landing key building blocks to a class that could be very special. The addition of four Class of 2019 three-star players, tight end Henry Ikahihifo, quarterback Austin Kirksey, offensive tackle Zac Welch, and safety Avery Carrington, in the last week are big steals away from not only other Mountain West Conference foes but from regional Pac-12 competitors on the recruiting trail. Kirksey kicked off the week of the four commits with Ikahihifo and Carrington (6-2.5, 194) bookending the run. To get the inside scoop on Nevada’s run, I sat down with Carrington, a standout from Chandler High School in Arizona, to learn more about his process and what is being built in the Biggest Little City in the World.

*For more information on Avery Carrington, click link for April 25, 2018 RNG interview

Interview

Avery, congratulations on your commitment to Nevada.

“Thank you.”

How did the recruiting process between you and the Nevada staff begin and when did it really start picking up steam?

“Coach Murdock, our linebacker coach at Chandler, he had Coach (David) Lockwood (safeties) come out during spring ball. Coach Lockwood checked me out, said I looked fluid. The following day, Coach (Jeff) Casteel (DC) came out. We started developing a relationship, then about a week later Coach (Jay) Norvell (head coach) gave me a call and they offered.”

How do they see you fitting into their defensive scheme?

“They play a 3-3-5 with two corners and three safeties in the back. Coach Lock told me I could probably play all three safety positions but he sees me at the Spur in the box. Sometimes I will back and up high and sometimes I will cover the slot. Depending on my body type, if I get bigger, I could play linebacker. It is all good to me as long as I am playing the best that I can for the team.”

When did you visit the Reno campus?

“I went up there for an official on Friday. We had dinner that night and toured the campus the next day (June 23). The campus looks like it was built yesterday – everything was new. Nevada is a Tier-I school with academics. I was impressed with everything. There was nothing lacking at Nevada.”

You toured the campus and the facilities, what did you think of the football facilities?

“Their facilities are nice. The locker room is very nice as well; we did a photo shoot in there. The weight room is nice as well. They have a nice strength and conditioning coach. We saw what some of the freshman looked like when they initially got onto campus and what they looked like a year later after being in his strength and conditioning program.”

Was there a moment on campus when it all clicked and you knew that Nevada was the place for you?

“Actually, it clicked with me seeing the field, but I wanted a little bit of time to talk it over with my family. When I went home on Sunday, we sat down and talked about it. That is when I realized that was the place for me and then I committed.

When did you commit and which coach did you commit to on the staff?

“I committed on Sunday afternoon around five-o’clock. I called Coach Norvell first to let him know that I was impressed with Nevada and wanted to commit. Then I called Coach Lockwood and told him that I was committing. It went pretty smoothly.”

What was the reaction of Coach Norvell when you committed?

“He was coming home from a long day from work, he missed my call when he was in a meeting. He saw I called twice, he called me back. When I told him, he was excited. He was really excited. He said this is the right scheme for you. Our scheme is tailor made for you. He said, “We are excited to have you come to some games this fall”.”

Another big question, just before you committed, what was going through your mind and what emotions were you feeling?

“It is kind of funny because what was going through my mind was realizing that I am a senior now in high school and the next four years in college is about to happen. I started taking it all in realizing that this about to happen. Anywhere I go, I want to shine, work hard, and use my abilities the best that I can. I realized I am here for a reason and I am ready to succeed in all that I do.”

You mentioned going up for a game, do you know when you might go back to Reno for a visit?

“I am planning to go up when they host Oregon State on Sept. 15. I want to check them out in an out of conference game.”

Last question. Are you going to start recruiting players to join you in Reno?

“Oh, definitely. I am seeing guys make tough recruiting decisions. Centennial (AZ) cornerback Kieran Clark was up there this weekend. I was going through it with him. I was trying to get my mind set, and then I committed. I posted my tweet yesterday, then he posted something about Reno like he was thinking hard about it. We have a lot of guys coming in for visits, some five-star guys. Henry Ikahihifo, a tight end from California, he just committed. I am hoping we get more great guys like that in our class.”

Avery, congratulations again on your commitment and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Carrington family; Avery Carrington at Nevada