Image Courtesy-@LCarter_25
Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, Ga. Norcross) put on a display at the Nike Football Training Camp in Atlanta on Saturday that proved the Jadeveon Clowney comparisons are spot on for the Alabama target.
Carter earned an invitation to The Opening which is a four-day competition for the nation’s elite high school football players. With more than 30 offers on his plate, the 6’5, 228-pound defensive end could prove to be the best high school player this season.
As a junior on the state championship Norcross team, Carter recorded ridiculous statistics that make you do a double-take and wonder if there was a misprint. He amassed 136 tackles, 45 for loss and 18 sacks. Those are insane numbers for a defensive end. To put it in perspective, not many of the nation’s top inside linebackers even approached that gaudy total.
His 18 sacks were two more than Da’Shawn Hand, who is viewed as Carter’s main competition for the top spot for the class for 2014. Hand also had five fewer tackles for loss. However, Carter really stands out over Hand in the tackle department where Hand had 78 tackles.
At the NFTC in Atlanta Carter ran the 40 in 4.60 seconds and posted a 40 inch vertical jump en route to earning MVP honors. He showed off his exceptional first-step quickness and used rare blend of speed and power in one-on-one drills to display the skill-set that has made him a coveted prospect.
5-star DE Lorenzo Carter is getting “wows” out of the DL coach here. Super explosive off the ball and showing good strength. #NFTC
— Chad Simmons (@ChadSimmons_) April 13, 2013
Among the 33 offers he currently has, according to 247Sports.com, are some of the nation’s elite programs like Notre Dame, Miami, USC and holds offers from 12 of the 14 teams in the SEC with Alabama out to an early lead.
With his ability to rush the passer off the edge, he can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense that the Crimson Tide runs or as a defensive end and perhaps the next Clowney. That is a big proclamation to make for a player that has yet to play his senior season, but with his work ethic I wouldn’t put it past him.
Carter has all the potential in the world to be a future star on Saturday’s and the recruitment for Carter is likely one that won’t be decided until national signing day. At the moment, it looks like Carter will be realizing that in Tuscaloosa, Al under the tutelage of Nick Saban and Kirby Smart.
However, a lot can change between now and the time he signs. In the meantime, he will have programs across the country hoping to get him on campus to try and persuade him that their program is the best place for him to realize that immense potential.
Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your Google network.
