Interview: 4-Star 2023 Ohio RB/ATH Trevor Carter Talks Football and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Ironton High School posted a second consecutive run to the Division V Ohio State Championship Game in 2020 rolling to an 11-1 record behind a stingy defense and an offense accustomed to lighting up the scoreboard for 38.25 per game. One of the variables effecting all three phases of the game was sophomore Trevor Carter. The 6-2, 195-pound, athlete was all over the field working to four-star recruiting status and six offers to date.
A breakaway touchdown run or a crushing hit from his strong safety spot, Carter was there to deliver for the Fighting Tigers. Playing behind senior tailback Reid Carrico, Carter took 74 handoffs for 561 yards with five touchdowns scored. On defense he put an end to 16 plays, 10 solo, with a forced fumble and fumble recovery and took back three kicks for 97 yards.
When the 2021 campaign kicks off, expect to see even more of Carter on the field. Carter is preparing to take over the starting tailback role, which could bring a 1,500-yard 25-TD kind of stat line, and could be moved around the defense from safety to outside or inside linebacker to have a bigger impact on the game depending on the team played.
Talking about his sophomore campaign and offseason goals, Carter visited the RNG Lab for a first-look interview.
Interview
Trevor, we saw you all over the field this season for the Fighting Tigers. Where all did you lineup at the varsity level?
I lined up a lot at running back behind Reid Carrico and the other backs. They’d lead block for me and me for them. I also played some defensive end in one or two games, outside linebacker, and safety. I was starting at safety.
Given all that you were doing, how did you keep yourself conditioned to take on role playing in all three phases of the game?
I had to work hard, and did a lot through the offseason to prepare. Gyms were not even open in our area during our offseason. I was fortunate to have one at home and a big yard. This offseason I did a lot of running in my yard and lifting in the basement. I was in the weight room for two hours at a time four to five days a week. Then I had a stretching day and a rest day.
On defense, you are that fearless thumper that running backs and receivers hate, but your teammates love. Where does that want to lay out a ball carrier come from in your game?
Absolutely. I have a lot of anger on the field and I try to play with fire. I have not lost a lot of games in my career. When I do lose, I hate it. The thought of losing or someone scoring on us gives me anger. My dad has told me to play with my hair on fire, that is where a lot of it comes from.
Playing safety throughout the 2020 season, how did you see your skills grow against both the run and the pass?
I had to work a lot on my pass game. Before, I hadn’t played safety too much, I had played a lot of outside linebacker. In the younger leagues, there was a lot of run game from the offenses. They were not throwing much. Usually, I was just reading run and filling. I was focused more on the run then, but there is a bigger aspect to it playing safety.
On offense, you gave Reid Carrico a break rushing for 561 yards with a 7.6 yard per carry average. How did your game improve on that side of the ball this season?
Another thing I worked on was my blocking; we did a lot of that in games and in practice. Early in the season we had some troubles in the wishbone and stacked-I. There were some miscommunications on that; we worked a lot on that in practice. We would also do a lot of ballhandling and ball security drills along with a lot of agility drills. We go in lines practicing our jump cuts, power cuts, and spin moves. At Ironton, we work very hard at running back on all aspects of it.
You bring that hard-nosed defensive mentality to your game out of the backfield ready to run over a guy but you can also outrun defenders. What do you feel are the strengths to your game?
I feel that I have very good field vision. I have played running back all my life. My field vision has developed a lot. And I am agile, with great balance, and I am fast. I can outrun guys when I get to the corner.
The Tigers had another fantastic run into the playoffs this season finishing in the championship game. How has that success helped motivate you this offseason already?
After last season, coming out of a loss, it motivated me a lot to work even harder to get back to the championship game with a win. This year it motivates me even more. We had a great season until the last game. It was a fluke. We should have played with them; it was a bad game for us. But that has motivated me to keep working hard and help my team get back there again next year.
With Reid Carrico graduating, are you preparing for a bigger role as a running back in 2021?
Definitely. I am preparing for that role. He was the starter; he was our main guy. We won’t have him anymore, so I have to step up and take that role as the main running back. I am ready for it, and ready to take over.
Do you know what other roles you might be taking on in 2021?
I know I will be the starting at running back and I am prepared to play anywhere on defense. By the 2021 season, I am looking to be around 210 to 215; they may move me to outside linebacker or inside linebacker at that weight.
You just mentioned a weight goal you want to attain. What other offseason goals have you set for yourself?
I want to get stronger increasing my bench, squat, and clean and I also want to become more flexible. In the past I have had problems with pulled muscles. I also want to work on my balance and my feet, getting faster.
Let’s get into some recruiting. Right now, which schools are showing interest but have not offered?
Ohio State and Penn State are showing interest. I have had some calls with the coaches from Penn State. They are looking at me like Ohio State. Northwestern is another. I have had a lot of calls with their staff. I call them every couple of weeks talking to Coach (Bryan) Payton. Notre Dame, Maryland, and Virginia Tech are showing interest. I have had some calls with LSU and Georgia as well.
That’s fantastic. How many offers have you received thus far?
Six.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Arkansas was first, Pitt was second, then Toledo, West Virginia, Akron, and then Cincinnati in October.
Very cool. When visits pick back up next year, which schools would you like to go visit?
All the schools that have offered. I want to show my appreciation to them and show my interest in those schools. Those schools will probably first. Then I am looking at Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and probably Georgia and LSU. Schools like that. The main ones are the ones who have offered me so far.
Trevor, it was great learning more about your skills on the field and your process off it. Thanks for your time and good luck with your offseason workouts until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Ironton HS/Carter family; Trevor Carter