Martels Carter says it was a blessing having his father as his high school coach for two years before he moved to Paducah Tilghman. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Martels Carter is going to play defense at Kentucky but if he gets a chance to contribute on offense, he would love to do that also.
The 6-0, 195-pound freshman had 20 solo tackles, 12 assists and four tackles for loss in 13 games at Paducah Tilghman High School last season along with three interceptions. On offense, he ran 15 times for 127 yards and two scores and caught 44 passes for 659 yards and six scores. He also returned a kickoff for a score.
Carter doesn’t mind playing in the defensive secondary but also feels he is “incredible with the ball in my hands” when he gets the opportunities.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time, being really strong, going defense, and making my wishes known. Hopefully, they see what I’m doing on defense, and they start to roll me in on offense, too,” Carter said.
Carter was MVP of the Class 4A state championship game win over Franklin County when he had nine catches for 169 yards, five solo tackles, two assists and one tackle for loss.
“Winning state was our goal and I was so blessed to receive the MVP,” Carter said.
He was a four-star recruit who picked UK over Auburn, Clemson, Oregon, Tennessee and 50 other offers. Carter committed to Kentucky early but there were consistent rumors that he might flip his commitment when UK’s season did not go well.
“People talk, start rumors,” Carter said. “I knew this was home because I am a family guy and this felt like family. When my mom and dad also said this was the right place for me, I had no doubt in my heart.”
Carter didn’t make a lot of social media posts about his recruitment because he’s not a big “publicity guy” who spends a lot of time on social media.
“I didn’t talk about what people said to me, who offered me, things like that,” Carter said. “I just stayed quiet and made sure the main thing was to go out and ball out. But I was never going to change my commitment.”
Kentucky junior safety Ty Bryant, a state high school champion at Frederick Douglass his senior year, likes what he has seen from Carter, the state’s top-ranked recruit last year.
“He looks good. He’s got a drive about himself. A lot of people say that he reminds them of me when I first came in, but he’s much more talkative than I was, and that’s a good thing,” Bryant said. “He asks a lot of questions. I didn’t really ask too many questions.
“I kind of just tried to get it and if I went on the field and messed up, I messed up. He wants to get a good grasp of it in the meeting room before we go on the field. He goes and flies around and makes plays.”
Carter played for his father at Brainerd High school in Chattanooga. His father played football at Austin Peay (1995-2000), his brother Deno Montgomery played football at Eastern Kentucky (2011-15) and his sister Kimia Carter played basketball at North Carolina Central (2019-23).
The Kentucky freshman and his family moved to Paducah for his junior season so his father could be closer to his doctor after suffering a stroke.
“It was a blessing playing for my dad but he was never easy on me,” Carter said. “If anything, he was way harder. He held me to a different kind of standard than other players and that made me a better player. But I do feel blessed I had that moment and chapter in my life with him coaching me because it made a big impact on my life.”
Carter said the move to Paducah was “one of the hardest chapters of my life” and that he ordinarily does not cry, he did shed tears over having to make the move.
“The move made me stronger,” the Kentucky defensive back said. “I had to step up as the young man of the household. It built my character and helped make me the man I am today. When you come into a new atmosphere (Paducah), you know zero about what to expect. I knew I was just going to play ball and God was going to be with him and make sure he bounced back.”
Paducah Tilghman coach Sean Thompson not only turned out to be the football coach Carter needed but also a mentor he needed.
“He just took me in. He talked to me and it was just more than football. He still calls me and checks up on me but it’s now how football is. It’s more how are you mentally,” Carter said. That’s one thing I can say about all the coaches at Paducah Tilghman. It’s more than just football. They really accepted me and they brought me in and it is a real brotherhood that I needed.”
One Response
I seen him play twice and my goodness this kid is going to be great. I think if he sticks with Kentucky and works hard he can be a draft pick in 3 years. He’s 6’0 but he’s long for 6’0 he has a nose for the ball and has great anticipation and great insticts. I think out of all the freshman he will get playing time. We got 2 great defensive playmakers from Kentucky on defense and the 2024 class we got 3 great defensive kids from Kentucky. These 2 classes will be great for the next 2-3 years if they stick it out with Kentucky. Another monster that will crack the rotation this year is Brian Robinson. I think of Josh Pachell only more athletic. He’s going to have a great career if he sticks it out. I also think our defense is going to be nasty this year with 2 guys nobody is really talking about and thats Henry Young will have a monster season and Alex Afari will really take off this year. We will be very long and athletic on our corners with Hardaway and Waller. I also like Quavo Marshall and think he is a up and comer. Josiah Hayes will finally play free and Davern Rayner or however you spell it will be the leader of the team in tackles. Kind of reminds me of Wesley Woodyard the way he’s always around the ball.