Memphis Beats Out SEC Offers for Nashville CB TJ Carter
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The recruiting abilities of the new Memphis staff is picking up some heavy momentum in the region highlighted by Friday’s commitment from prized Nashville cornerback Terrell “TJ” Carter.
Carter helped Hendersonville High School to an 11-2 mark in 2015 against 5A Tennessee competition. The Commandos used Carter all over the field leading the team with 1,004 yards rushing off 142 carries with 10 touchdowns on the ground. Carter logged time on defense with 16 total tackles but shinned again on punt returns taking seven attempts back for 108 yards with a 65-yard return on his reel.
In the off-season, the 5-10, 180 pound, talent transferred to Stratford Comprehensive (Nashville). Carter has picked up the hot pace from a year ago with the Spartans rushing for 211 yards in two games with four scores on the ground thus far. He has added to the stat line with three receptions covering 86 yards along with another touchdown. On defense, Carter has seven tackles against 3A competition.
The recruiting win with Carter for Memphis was big. Carter is ranked as high as a four-star on some sites with offers on the table from Tennessee, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Mississippi State among others.
Memphis is going a long way to address needs in the secondary with nine commits to the 2017 set to compete for jobs once on campus.
Memphis Tigers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (23)
SS Zay Cullens, 5-11, 190, North Pontotoc HS, Ecru, MS
SS Quindon Lewis, 6-0, 155, Southmoore HS, Moore, OK
SS Marcus Mays, 6-1, 175, Edison HS, Tulsa, OK
SS Gervarrius Owens, 6-1, 190, Southmoore HS, Moore, OK
SS Malik Smith, 6-2, 200, Sheffield HS, Sheffield, AL
CB TJ Carter, 5-10, 180, Stratfor Comprehensive, Nashville, TN
CB Marcus Green, 6-1, 181, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Miami, OK
CB Tamurice Smith, 5-9, 165, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Mobile, AL
CB Tito Windham, 5-9, 170, Northwest Mississippi C.C., Senatobia, MS
LB Cade Mashburn, 6-2, 210, Norman North, Norman, OK
DE Braylon Brown, 6-3, 227, Cordova HS, Cordova, TN
DE Elijah Harris, 6-5, 222, Liberty Tech Magnet, Jackson, TN
DE Jamal Woods, 6-3, 240, Hueytown HS, Hueytown, AL
DT O’Bryan Goodson, 6-1, 245, South Panola HS, Batesville, MS
OG Mikhail Hill, 6-3, 300, West Jefferson HS, Harvey, LA
OT Obinna Eze, 6-6.5, 279, Davidson Academy, Nashville, TN
TE Jared Edwards, 6-4, 255, Rhea County HS, Evensville, TN
RB Timothy Taylor, 5-10, 190, East HS, Memphis, TN
QB Will McBride, 6-0, 198, Clear Springs HS, League City, TX
QB Austin Upshaw, 6-1, 188, La Porte HS, La Porte, TX
WR Nick Robinson, 6-3, 205, Putnam City West, Oklahoma City, OK
WR Willie Wright, 5-8, 155, Raines HS, Jacksonville, FL
K Riley Patterson, 5-11, 170, Edwardsville HS, Edwardsville, IL
Photo credit: usatodayhss.com; No. 1 TJ Carter.