Every year there are high school football players across the country putting in a countless number of hours per day and week to prepare for the new season. The season brings hope and opportunity for those trying to pursue playing at the next level.
Athletes are getting bigger, faster, stronger, and more mature as they progress through their high school years. Some develop a little earlier than others and some transform before the end.
The late bloomers rely on their senior year to showcase their talents and leave it all on the table one last time. They want to prove to the college scouts that they are worthy of getting a scholarship and that all the hard work has paid off.
Fall Season Canceled
This year 24 states have decided to cancel the high school football season this fall because of the coronavirus. For those players getting the confirmation in the last hour, it was devastating news. For the seniors without offers, even more so.
Although it is horrible news and a tough situation for everyone involved, you must look for other ways, within your control, to show what you can do. Colleges will have to rely more on the projection of athletes that don’t play this fall in their evaluations, and there will be some unknown factors.
One senior that has a positive outlook on the situation, is Carter Gilbert from Oxford High School in Metro Detroit. Michigan was one of the states that canceled the fall season and Gilbert was a player that was really going to turn some heads.
Huge Offseason Changes
As a junior, Gilbert was 6’2 260-pounds and missed half of the season with an injury. Once the season was over, he quickly got back to 100% and was motivated and determined to work as hard as he could in order to have a breakout senior year.
During the offseason, things really started to click and changes were happening. Carter grew 2 inches and added a lot of muscle to his frame before summer. He is now 6’4 ½” and 290-pounds.
Gilbert was hoping to attend a lot of college camps to see how he stacked up with the top recruits. He also wanted to show colleges he was now on point physically. Unfortunately, all the summer camps were canceled.
Now, with the summer camps and the fall high school season canceled, Carter and other players must find ways to show off their talents and give college coaches something to evaluate.
Workout Video
I was able to put Carter through a workout and was super impressed with his size and athleticism. Check out his video below.
Coach’s Evaluation
“Carter obviously has tremendous size and strength, but for a big guy, he is very nimble. He knows how to use his size to his advantage. His biggest strengths are how coachable he is and how much of a TEAM guy he is,” said Zach Line, Oxford’s new head football coach.
Line played 7 years in the NFL with Minnesota and New Orleans. He just retired in January after the Saints lost in the playoffs. Immediately after, he was named the new head coach of his former high school.
Gilbert was going to be a key player on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats. “Carter could definitely play both ways for us. I think he could be successful on either side of the ball at the next level”, said Line.
2021 Sleeper Prospect
As an unsigned senior, Carter is an intriguing prospect and one that will still grab a lot of attention. After watching his video and seeing him up close, he has a lot to offer and is just scratching the surface. “My strengths on the field are relentless effort and doing my job at the position I’m at. I am a hard worker and motivated to improve and get better,” said Gilbert.
Even though a lot of kids were extremely disappointed with the season being canceled, college coaches recognize talent and Carter Gilbert is a prospect that will definitely have opportunities before Signing Day.
