Interview: Louisiana RB AJ Carter Discusses Verbal Commitment to UCLA 2018 Class
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
When college coaches scour the U.S. landscape looking for top talents to fit their scheme year after year, the physical characteristics have to be in line with and accompany the dominating play on the field. When the Bruins came across Louisiana Class of 2018 talent AJ Carter, the running back fit the mold in all categories.
Carter crushed Louisiana 2A high school competition during his junior season with Many High School. The Tigers raced to a 14-1 season with an appearance in the state semifinal round before losing 40-37 in triple-overtime to eventual state champs Sterlington. All Carter did to aid his team is rush for 2,289 yards with 41 trips to the end zone. The big back used his 4.45 speed in the 40-yard dash to break long gains with the ability to put six on the board from anywhere on the field. Using great field vision, Carter is a north-south runner who fights through arm tackles leaving would-be tacklers in the dust after exploding through his initial cut.
College programs, like UCLA, got on board with the 6-1, 220 pound, talent. The Many area product had 17 reported offers extended to him from teams like Arkansas, Boston College, Kansas, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, South Alabama, Memphis, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Purdue, Missouri, Mississippi State, Arizona State, and Vanderbilt.
The Bruins hosted Carter in Westwood on Saturday closing the deal with the Louisiana star while on campus becoming UCLA’s eighth verbal commitment in the 2018 class. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Carter just as he was heading back to Louisiana from LA to get the inside scoop on how his commitment went down.
Interview
AJ, first, congratulations on your commitment.
“Thank you.”
Obviously, the visit went well, but what all did you during your visit to LA?
“I watched practice, ate with the players, and spoke with Coach (DeShaun) Foster (running backs coach) in his office. I went around the campus and I went downtown. We went to the movies and saw the new Fast and Furious film. After that Coach Foster and I spoke again after I had committed to him in his office. Then I posted my commitment on Twitter.”
What were your overall thoughts on UCLA?
“It was great. I’ve never seen a place like that. UCLA is a great place with great coaches. Coach (Demetrice) Martin (defensive backs coach) texted me last night, he said ‘congrats and let’s go.’ He also said ‘there is something about you.’ Coach Foster was running around after I committed. It was great.”
Did Coach Foster talk to you about how you would fit into the offensive scheme at UCLA?
“As a downhill runner who catches the ball out of the backfield. Any way they can get the ball to me to utilize my speed.”
Did you get to sit in on your position meeting before the practice?
“No, sir. I did not come down early enough to do that.”
Who went with you on the visit?
“My coach, Coach Jess Curtis.”
What did Coach Curtis think about UCLA?
“He liked it. He likes UCLA and their coaches. He agreed with me on my decision. He did not force me to commit. I did it myself.”
Do you plan to visit UCLA again?
“Yes, sir. Plenty of times. For sure on my official visit.”
Are you closing your recruitment?
“Probably so.”
Are you going to help recruit other players to join you in Westwood?
“Yes, sir. Cam, he’s a four-star safety, “Cam Hollywood” (Cam’ron Jones from Mansfield, TX), he’s a UCLA commit. He committed on Easter. He thought I was playing with him when I told him I was going to commit. He saw it last night on Twitter and has been texting me. There is a four-star cornerback recruit from Mississippi who wants to be a Bruin also.”
Nice. Any last thoughts before you board the plane?
“I just loved it there. It is like paradise there. There is nothing like that in Louisiana. Everything you want is out here. You will never be bored. Any player or coach that comes out here, they are not going to want to leave.”
AJ, again, congratulations on your commitment and I thank you for your time today.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: USAToday.com; No. 23 AJ Carter.
Photo credit: Carter family; No. 23 AJ Carter at UCLA (April 22, 2017).