Interview: San Diego CB Maurice Carnell IV locking down receivers and scholarships at Grossmont JC

Every now and again a pivotal moment life comes around giving us an opportunity to change the direction of our life forever. Either we listen to the little voice inside our head or our gut telling us to do something differently or we ignore it taking, more times than not, the easier path in life. Maurice Carnell IV took the harder path which is now paying off big dividends.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 2012 few offers were coming Carnell’s way. Wanting to play collegiate ball he decided to go to Sterling College in Kansas. After a short time on campus Carnell realized this path was not for him. Moving back to San Diego and sitting out the fall of 2012, the 5’11”, 175 pound, cornerback picked it back up in 2014 with Grossmont C.C. and the results have been storybook. Carnell worked his way into becoming a lockdown corner coming up with 36 stops, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and in his own words “a lot of pass breakups.”

If the stats do not tell the story perhaps the postseason honors will? The quick-on-quick corner was named First-Team All Conference as a freshman and Grossmont’s Team Defensive Player of the Year. Early offers from Texas State and Utah State have come his way with teams like Arizona, Arizona State, USC, and Northern Arizona showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with Maurice to go over his journey from Lincoln High School to NAIA Sterling College to Grossmont junior college and now with a chance to land at a major Division-I program.

 

Grossmont finished 4-6 in 2014. How did the season go for the Griffins?

“Our team was very young. It was a building stage. We had a lot of freshman who were just learning the experience of collegiate football. The first couple of games were rough. We shocked the world, we beat some top teams. We beat Riverside, they were No. 2 in the state and Saddleback, we beat them also. I believe in my players this season. This season will be really different.”

You mentioned this year will be different, how did the team look during spring ball?

“Team looks really good. Everybody knows what they are doing and we are prepared. We have a great coaching staff. Our coaching staff – they have really improved us and made us better from last year. We are ready to come in and have a way better season than last year. I can’t wait.”

What will be the strength of this year’s football team?

“The strength will be the back seven, the secondary and the linebackers. I believe that’ll be a strength. Our secondary was good last year but we dropped a lot of picks. This season will be different. With Nick Galatis (linebacker) out there it will be a very good defensive season. Offense will do well but our defense will be dominate. We have to be the No. 1 defense in the nation.”

What are your strengths on the field at the cornerback position?

“I can do it all. I can press, I love to press. I can play off. I love three steps and five steps. I can play on the left side or on the right side. I can tackle and I can catch. I know I’m an all around good player. There is always something to improve. I’ve improved a lot. Coach (Brett) Hudson taught me a lot of different techniques and disguises helping my game a lot.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“My No. 1 goal is to go all the way with my squad. That’s goal No. 1. My second goal, I want me and my secondary to have the most interceptions in the nation. Goal No. 3, I want to be the best corner in the conference and in the nation. The No. 1 corner, that’s my three goals.”

Your game speed looks great on film. How fast are you?

“My 40 time is 4.43.”

Will the coaches use your speed on offense or as a punt or kick returner?

“They are thinking about putting me back there. I am one of the fastest guys on the team. I’ve been thinking about it. Stay tuned.”

Did you run track in high school at Lincoln?

“No. I wish I would’ve.”

Coming out of high school which programs were recruiting you?

“I didn’t really have that many schools. No big schools more small schools. Sterling College in Kansas was the main school recruiting me. I went out there but did not play, it was NAIA. The level of competition was not where I wanted to be. I did not want to sell myself short. I came back and went to JUCO. It’s a blessing to have this now.”

You have offers from Texas State and Utah State and schools like Arizona, Arizona State, USC, and Northern Arizona giving you a look, have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I’ve been to USC and I have one coming up at Arizona on June 3.”

How long will you be at Arizona?

“Two days.”

How did the USC visit go for you?

“It was great. Seeing the Coliseum, seeing how hungry USC is and how bad they want it this year. The practice was like a game. Everyone wanted to be out there. It was so hyped. I’d love to play at USC. The campus is beautiful and the education is great. I hope they offer.”

Which coaches did you meet with at USC?

“The defensive backs coach, Coach (Keith) Heyward. He’s a very good dude.”

How was everything left with USC?

“He (Coach Heyward) said they usually do not take JUCO corners. He’s going to keep his eye out for me. They have all my measurables. He’s seen my tape and likes it. I’m staying in touch with him.”

When you talked to the Utah State and Texas State coaches what did they tell you they liked about your game?

“All of them said they like my length, how long I am. They like who fluid I am in my hips. That I have good breaks, my speed, and just the way I play my ball. They like that I am a smart player, I’m hungry, and that I just want to win.”

If you could get a couple of schools to start recruiting you which schools would you initiate that contact with and start pursuing?

“Umm, if the opportunity came my dream school has been Ohio State. If that were to come that’d be a dream come true. I’d love to stay home and play with my natives and put our state with a championship ring. I have a good friend that plays for San Jose State, I’d love to be on the other side of him and play with him. Keep the San Diego presence on the team.”

Grades are always important no matter what level one plays football at, how are your grades right now?

“The way my semester is ending I will be a 3.0-plus cumulative.”

What has been one of the best moments on the field for you at Grossmont?

“That’s a good question. I would have to say, I’ve never beat the No. 1 team so the most memorable beating No. 1 Riverside. It was the beginning of the season. We messed up their rankings. We came in there as an underdog. We played our butts off and came out with a win. To see all the players and coaches with the joy and happiness on their faces, it was one of the greatest moments of my life.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Being out there on the field with your brothers. They’re not just your teammates or associates, you’re playing for each other. That’s your family. Being on that field with my squad and playing alongside each other is my favorite part about playing football.”

 

Maurice still has another season of junior college ball at Grossmont to display his array of talents that include being a very good cover corner with great athleticism. Offers are already on the table letting everyone know that the next level is around the corner. In the meantime it will be fun to see just how many D-I schools offer and where Mr. Carnell will take his talents for the 2016 season and beyond.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: photoshelter.com; No. 1 Maurice Carnell gets lifted up by a teammate after a great play.

Photo credit: kallisphotography; No. 1 Maurice Carnell gets the tackle.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 1 Maurice Carnell.