Martels Carter, right (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky co-defensive coordinator Chris Collins has only worked with freshman defensive back Martels Carter since January but he definitely has liked what he has seen from the former Paducah Tilghman standout.
“He’s done a great job for us. I love his energy. I love his enthusiasm as a youngster,” Collins said on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk.
Carter was a four-star recruit who was ranked as the sixth-best high school safety in the country by Rivals. He was a dynamic two-way player at defensive back and receiver for Tilghman. His team went 15-0 to win the Class 4-A state title where he was MVP of the championship game with nine catches for 169 yards, five tackles, two assists and one tackle for loss.
Could Carter, who would like to play both defense and offense at UK, play as a true freshman?
“For a true freshman coming from high school that’s a challenge. The mental grind, the competitive grind not only from game to game but also from practice to practice,” Collins said. “A lot of things go into playing as a true freshman.
“C4 (Carter’s nickname) has done a great job. I am excited about his future. He has a phenomenal family structure that’s going to help him that he’s gonna be able to lean on throughout his freshman season because it is going to be hard. Freshman year is tough.”
Collins believes the former Paducah Tilghman star has a “tremendous future” at Kentucky if he can “stay true to the process” through some difficult times.
“That process is daunting, it is hard, it’s uncomfortable. But if you can stay true, good things can happen,” Collins said. “I am looking forward to seeing him growing throughout this freshman season where the ups and the downs are gonna come.”
2 Responses
He needs a redshirt season. To get his body and mind ready for the SEC grind. I can see him playing 4 games and keeping his redshirt. He should get playing time against eastern Michigan and Tennessee tech. If we blow out Toledo he could also see playing time if we get up by 3 touchdowns or more. I think we are going to destroy Toledo. Yes they will win the MAC but we would run the table in the MAC. Toledo might be one of the best non power conference teams in college football. They could be a playoff team if they beat us and run the table. I think we shut all that talk down the first game. We will destroy Toledo and everyone will start paying attention to Kentucky football. When we also beat Ole Miss in the second game and possibly jump into the top 25. Everyone will jump back on yhe bandwagon. We are going to have a great season. I really do believe that. I can say a win total but I think Kentucky will surprise everyone this year.
If the coaches & players have the belief & enthusiasm which you have, Terry, and they use that to energize their focus& dedication in practice – then UK will rally after that terrible 4-8 season.
The coaches need to have your vision & impart it into the players. That has to start with the $9 Million man if he is going to continue to give the pep talks during August, before games & at the H of every game.