Interview: 4-Star 2018 Memphis OT Jerome Carvin Previews SEC Spring Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A little bit of time and a whole lot of hard work can make all the difference in the world in the football universe. During the 2016 season, Cordova High School left tackle Jerome Carvin was working on his craft helping his squad to a 12-2 finish unsure about the future as a relative unknown among college programs. Since the end of his junior season, Carvin has quickly exploded into one of the top recruits in the 2018 class igniting a recruiting battle among SEC programs.

Carvin might as well have been called the “Cordova Closet” last season after putting away jerseys of opposing Tennessee defenders not to be heard from again until four quarters had been completed. Playing the 2016 season at 6-4, 315, Carvin was a beast on the line using his size and raw power to overwhelm the opposition.

Sitting on five offers in mid-December, Carvin was presented with fantastic opportunities from Memphis, Louisville, Texas-San Antonio, Kentucky, and Arkansas-Monticello after earning firs team 4-6A All-Region honors. The ability to dominate the opposition has led to a recruiting frenzy among college teams with squads like Alabama, Indiana, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Missouri, South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Tennessee all extending offers. Interest continues to pile up with teams like LSU, Oregon, Oklahoma, Michigan, UCLA, and Florida all keeping in touch after Top 10 finishes by the now 6-4, 325 pound, talent at the New Orleans Nike Opening Regional and Under Armour All-American camp.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Carvin ahead of unofficial visits to Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, and Ole Miss getting an overview on his off-season and recruitment this spring.

Interview

Jerome, I know you have been busy this spring. How have your off-season workouts gone so far?

“My offseason workouts are going great. We emphasis bench, clean, and squat in our weight lifting program. Then we have other lifts like biceps and triceps that we do. But we do bench, squat, and clean the most.”

What areas of your game are you focused on improving before the start of your senior season?

“Usually after conditioning and after we lift weights, the o-line goes out there and goes over the drills we used during season. We do footwork drills and go over the fundamentals of the game.”

What improvements have you made with your technique this spring?

“My improvement is mostly with my pass blocking. I have done a lot of pass blocking drills working on footwork. I’m working on run blocking and all technique work as well.”

Are you working with a position coach?

“Yes, sir. Our o-line coach.”

Are there any players at the college or NFL levels that you watch to learn more about how to play your position?

“Yes, sir. I like watching Cam Robinson (Alabama), Darius James (Auburn), and the guard from Memphis, Dustin Woodard. I’ll probably play guard in college, but I watch guards and tackles. I love watching film.”

You mentioned working hard in the weight room this spring, have you maxed out recently?

“Yes, sir. My bench is 335 and my squat is 500.”

You’ve taken advantage of the big exposure camps this spring. Where all have you been so far?

“At the beginning of the year I went to the U.S. Army Combine down in San Antonio. I did well out there. I went up against a lot of top players there. I also went to New Orleans for the Nike Opening Regional. I made their Top 10 offensive performers at the camp. At the Under Armour All-American camp this past weekend, I made the Final 5 and was one of the top offensive line performers. I may get an invite soon to one of those All-American games. We’ll see.”

Which camps might you attend coming up?

“Coming up I have a Rivals Three Stripe camp in May in St. Louis. I’m still trying to schedule summer camps. I may go to Alabama again, Memphis, and Tennessee camps. I’m not sure yet.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have 16 or 17 offers now. Recent offers to come in are from Mizzou, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Alabama, UAB, Auburn, and Indiana. Just got Indianan a couple of days ago.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?

“LSU, Oregon, Oklahoma, UCLA, and Michigan are showing the most interest. A lot of schools are coming out this spring to see me in person. Florida is coming out too. I’m going to Florida on April 7 for their spring game.”

Which schools are coming by to see you in spring practices?

“The schools that I know of are Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Memphis, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mizzou, Oklahoma, and Michigan. There could be more.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this spring?

“Yes, sir. I have been to Mizzou, Memphis again, Tennessee, and Alabama again, after they offered me.”

With all of the visits that you have been on, what are some of the things that you have learned about the college game or college life?

“I have learned the facilities are all pretty much the same. They are all great quality and they are all amazing. The main differences are mostly the academics – how they help their student athletes and the academic plans are different from one school to the other. The relationship with the coaches is another thing. Each o-line coach or the coach that offered me is different.”

You mentioned a visit to Florida coming up, what other visits do you have planned?

“This weekend I’m going to South Carolina. On April 7 I’m visiting Florida and on April 8 I’m going to Auburn’s spring game. On April 14, I’m back to Alabama to watch a practice. I will visit Tennessee soon and have plans to go back to Ole Miss to watch a practice. I want to visit Indiana too. I have never been there before. That is exciting for me.”

What has you excited about all the visits?

“Just going out and seeing new things and going to places I have never been before. I am really enjoying the recruiting process. That will be different once I narrow down the schools. That will be stressful for me. But for now I am enjoying it. It is going great so far.”

When do you want to narrow it down and come up with your top schools?

“I was going to do a Top 5 this summer, but offers are still coming in. I am going to hold back on it. I might drop a Top 5 for my officials this summer.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.2.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“Yes. I took the ACT and got an 18. I’m planning on taking it again trying to get a better score.”

As busy as you have been with football related activities, what are you doing for fun during your downtime?

“Watching March Madness – I’ve been watching the games. The NBA Playoffs are coming up. I just try to get my mind away from football when I can and then get back to the grind. I’ve been watching a lot of sports and spending time with my friends and family.”

Any predictions on the NCAA champs coming out of the Final Four?

“I’d say, the underdog is going to win – South Carolina.”

You just made a lot of Gamecock fans very happy. Jerome, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Carvin family; Jerome Carvin at Mississippi State.

Photo credit: Carvin family; Jerome Carvin at Tennessee with Butch Jones.

Photo credit: Carvin family; Jerome Carvin at Alabama.