Penn State won a huge recruiting battle to land four-star safety Daryus Dixson and hopes to have the same luck with another national recruit.
Like Dixson, four-star defensive tackle Jarquez Carter (Newberry, Fla.) took his official visit to Penn State this past weekend. Carter (6-foot-2, 265 pounds) is rated by Rivals as a Top 200 recruit and the No. 15 defensive tackle in the Class of 2025.
Considering his national rankings, itโs unsurprising that Carter has a long list of impressive offers, including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas and USC.
The good news for Penn State is that the coaching staff was able to get Carter on campus for an official visit. The question now is whether he saw enough to pull the trigger and commit to the Nittany Lions over a competitive offer sheet, including his hometown Florida Gators.
Courtesy Jarquez Carter
Nittany Sports Now caught up with Carter following his visit to State College and found out heโs narrowed his list of offers down to two schools.
โThis was my second time visiting Penn State, the first time was for the spring game,โ said Carter. โThis visit definitely made a big impression on me, especially since I was able to really sit down and talk to coach (Tom) Allen and coach (Deion) Barnes.
โWe were also able to watch film, and they were able to find players on their defense that I play like and show how I would fit in and be a key piece in their defense.โ
Carter told NSN that some of his strengths include being able to run stuffing and getting after opposing quarterbacks.
โWith the way Iโm able to get off the ball, it allows me to penetrate the backfield quickly and get to the quarterback,” Carter said. “At the same time, Iโm also able to get to the running back to stuff him.โ
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— Jarquez Carter (@JarquezCarter) November 20, 2023
The trip to State College was Carterโs second official visit, with the first being to Florida. Penn State has definitely been able to stand out so far.
โSomething that stands out to me about Penn State is the way that they practice. Iโve never seen anyone practice as hard as they do,โ said Carter. โThey practice so physical. They started with O-line vs. D-line one-on-one. They get after it like no other team does.
โAcademically, I really like their business department and thatโs something I want to pursue. Them having a good football program and good business department is definitely a plus.โ
With so many quality programs in pursuit of him, Carter is keeping a level head as he nears the end of his recruitment. He’s starting to get a pretty good idea of where he might want to go.
โTo be honest with you, I already have my top two, top three schools,โ said Carter. โIโm really going to separate them by listening to the coaches and seeing what system fits me the best. I take notes on this and whatever school has more good than bad, thatโs who Iโm going to decide on. My top two schools, I couldnโt go wrong with either of them, so Iโll see which one Iโm more comfortable at.โ
The follow-up question is obvious: who are Carterโs top two schools?
โIโm going to keep that to myself right now, but Iโll probably commit in like three or four weeks.โ
Jarquez Carter
Penn State is obviously hoping that theyโll be the choice on decision day. Since itโs likely the last time the he will see him before Carter decides, James Franklin had one final recruiting pitch at the end of his official visit.
โHe was telling me that everything they do fits my style of play,” Carter said. “He told me that Iโm the No. 1 defensive lineman they want and that he feels Penn State would help him become a better player and person. Coach also believes Iโm a player that could come in and contribute from the start.โ
