Like father, like son.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas High School wide receiver, Duron Carter, son of former Ohio State All-American and NFL star, Cris Carter, gave his verbal commitment to OSU head coach Jim Tressel Friday, in between sessions at OSU's senior advanced camp making his pledge the 18th of the 2009 recruiting class.
"I felt very comfortable with the coaching staff," Carter said. "I like the way that Ohio State as a whole and the city of Columbus treats their players on and off the field and I felt like it was the right place for me."
During one-on-one drills late in the afternoon Friday, Carter was seen making some ankle-breaking moves and spectacular catches that drew many cheers.
At 6 feet 3 inches tall, 185 pounds and long arms, Carter has a big advantage against smaller cornerbacks. The way he separates from defenders gives him an added benefit. However, his understanding of the game, he says, is one of his best qualities and he credits that to his dad, who was one of the great wide receivers in OSU's storied history.
Carter, who received scholarship offers from big-time programs such as Louisiana State University, Auburn and Wisconsin, said his father did not pressure him into choosing OSU, but rather encouraged him to go with his heart and decide which school was best for him.
"He had a little bit of influence," he said. "He is my father, but he let me decide."
Carter said he and his family had discussion to see what school he felt most comfortable with, and OSU was it.
Both he and future teammate, Louisville Male High School cornerback Justin Green, are "legacy commits" with Carter following in his father's footsteps and Green following his brother, former OSU defensive tackle, Marcus Green, to OSU.
"It's great," Carter said. "Not too many people get that opportunity. I hope I don't disappoint anybody while I'm at Ohio State."
OSU has come out swinging in terms of recruiting for the 2009 class. Less than 24 hours after Carter committed, Green gave his pledge, boosting the commitment number to 19.
The "Tressel vessel" picked up speed as OSU received verbals from Naples, Fla., fullback Carlos Hyde; Dublin's safety Bradley McDougald; Monroeville, Pa., cornerback Corey Brown; and Cleveland Glenville's defensive end Jonathan Newsome. All commitments were made within two days, making 23 commitments already in a class expected to fill out to more than 26.
Carter said he is excited that the OSU coaches are surrounding everybody with great incoming players, whether it's from this year, last year, or the year before. Carter is doing his part in helping the cause by talking to another Florida prospect in Miami, Palmetto running back, Jamaal Berry. He has also been talking to Hyde.
"I've talked to them on and off several times just to see how they're doing," he said. "I'll see them out some times at the movies or something."
By the time these players set foot in Ohio Stadium, OSU quarterback Todd Boeckman will be gone and a new quarterback will take the reins in leading Ohio State's offense. That future QB could be super-freshman, Terrelle Pryor. Having a possible Carter-to-Pryor connection could be really exciting for him.
"He's definitely one of the most hyped-up quarterbacks and I think he could definitely deliver and be great," he said. "Having one of those quarterbacks is definitely nice for a receiver knowing that he can get you the ball and make you look good."
Carter finished the 2007 regular season with 22 catches for 361 yards and eight touchdowns and was a key piece of the puzzle while leading his team to the state title.
"We have a new defense and most of our offensive starters are returning, but we're a team and were going to work together toward our one goal and that's to win," Carter said.
Carter said he is trying not to look too far forward as his St. Thomas Aquinas football team is eyeing a second straight state title.
"We're definitely trying to make it back to another state championship," he said. "That'll make it two in a row and we've been there four times in a row and trying to make it a fifth."
Carter said he has other ambitions in developing not only as a football player but as a person.
Carter said OSU has one of the greatest business schools in the nation and he is trying to prepare himself for life after football.
Brad Hehmeyer can be reached at hehmeyer.5@osu.edu.
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