Interview: 3-Star 2023 California QB Israel Carter Spinning It at Pac-12 and MWC Camps
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
In his own words, the 2021 season is a big one for quarterback Israel Carter. Centennial High School employed a three-man rotation under center during the 2020 season, and now the QB battle during Huskies’ practices are on replacing senior Jake Retzlaff. Carter (6-2, 187) appeared in all five Centennial games during his sophomore season throwing for 320 yards off 18 completions with one score and rushed for 161 yards off 13 carries with four more touchdowns scored. Three college programs have already jumped on the three-star Class of 2023 recruit with interest rising ahead of a busy college camp circuit that will have repeated looks from Mountain West and Pac-12 coaches.
After spinning it at the Elite 11 Los Angeles Regional on Sunday, Carter stopped by the RNG Lab for an update confab.
Interview
Israel, getting those 2020 reps this spring had to be so important for your growth as a quarterback. Taking on those Inland Empire squads, which areas of your game saw the most improvement?
The most improvement was reading defenses and being better with that. That improved a lot. I was learning for (2021 QB) Jake Retzlaff. I wasn’t getting the overall reps, but I was learning from him getting ready for this year. This year you will see more of me, I will be on the field for the whole game. This is the year to show what I can do. It will be a long time since starting, now I am going into my junior year. This is the year everyone will see more of me.
We play Mater Dei at Centennial. I am ready to break that streak against them. I want to bring a state championship to our school. We are ready. I can’t wait for that first game.
Going into the offseason, what have you been working on with your feet and lower body?
With my feet, a lot of stuff. Centennial has a lot in the playbook, a lot of quick drops. I like to keep progressing and not get rusty. I am working on my 3-, 5-, and 7-step drops. Colleges want to see all the drops and going from under center. This offseason I am working on that with my QB coach, and shuffling through the boards. Footwork is key with me and my QB coach, from the quarantine through now.
What are you fine-tuning with your upper body?
With my upper body, I leave that up to my training facility at Winners Circle. In the weight room I am doing bench press, abs and core stability. My core is key to my footwork. I need a strong core to get more on my ball. Winners Circle has been strict with me on my core. We’ve had a crazy schedule this offseason so far. I have been working with Domani Jackson (Mater Dei) and Korey Forman (USC). My speed training helps me out a lot. A lot of QBs don’t take the weight room serious. That is another advantage you can have over anyone. That helps you even more on the field. I use all my resources.
How are you pushing your understanding of the game forward?
To expand my football IQ, my QB coach and I do film on the teams we will be facing. We’ve been studying like crazy. This is a big year for me. I have been locked in learning different defenses and going over fronts with (head coach) Coach (Matt) Logan learning all that I can to be ready for the season. We’ve been working on fronts and coverages.
Which camps have you been to this offseason thus far?
I have been to the Elite 11, went there this past Sunday, and Winners Circle had a camp yesterday. The big ones are all coming up. I have one at Redlands today and tomorrow, then I have a break, then USC on the 16th. After that, I might go to Fresno on the 17th. Redlands has another one on the 24th I will go to show for some more colleges I am interest in. Then I am going to UNLV and Oregon on July 31st.
Man, you will be busy. As mentioned, I just saw you at the Elite 11 Regional in Los Angeles; how do you feel about your performance against all the other top QBs from the west coast?
It went really well. The knowledge I have been soaking in, I have been watching the best QB in the NFL in my opinion, Deshaun Watson (Texans). Learning from him, watching how he plays and learning from Quincy Avery is helping me. Steve Calhoun, it was great being on the field working with him. The Elite 11 was really good. I felt really fluid. Next year will be the year for me with the Elite 11. That is when it all counts, I will be ready.
Ahead of all the college camps, which programs are showing recruiting interest?
Oregon, USC, Nebraska, Louisville, and UNLV.
How many offers are down?
Three: BYU, Kansas, and Washington State
Do you have any recruiting visits planned for this summer?
Yes, I am visiting USC, Oregon, and maybe Fresno.
When does Centennial pick back up with summer ball?
We start back on June 21st, right after the UNLV camp. The UNLV camp is on a Sunday, we start practice again that Monday.
Israel, it was great seeing you work your craft at the Elite 11 and catching up with you today. Good luck at all the camps this summer.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: RNG; Israel Carter at the Elite 11 LA Regional