Florida Gators DE target Carter is split between two schools

The first two weeks of the spring evaluation period the Florida Gators coaching staff spent most of its time focusing on the state of Florida and seeing as many high schools as they could.

During that time defensive line coach Chris Rumph paid a visit to see defensive end Zach Carter (6-4, 237, Tampa, FL Hillsborough) and he brought along defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to impress the defensive end.

“Coach Rumph visited two weeks ago at my school for my practice,” Carter said. “It went really well and he brought Coach Collins with him. I really felt like a priority since the defensive coordinator came too. To have two coaches visiting you means that they really want you.”

Carter and Rumph spoke over the phone later that night where Rumph laid out his recruiting pitch to the Tampa lineman.

“I talked to Coach Rumph that night and he was just keeping the same message with me,” he said of Rumph’s message. “He said that I’m the number one guy on their board for defensive end and that they’re just waiting on me to commit so I can join the class.”

Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins was impressed by what he saw from Carter during his practice and he made sure to pass that message along to the defensive end.

“Coach Collins told me that I’m looking better and better every time he sees me play,” Carter of Collins message. “He said that he’s ready for me to be a Gator so he can coach me at Florida.”

Not only are Rumph and Collins recruiting Carter hard, but the Gators head coach Jim McElwain is also getting in the mix with Carter.

“I talk to Florida daily either through Twitter or over the phone, I talk to someone every day,” he said. “I talk to Coach Rumph usually but I talk to Coach Mac a few times week too. I also talk to Coach Collins some but it’s usually either Coach Mac or Coach Rumph.”

McElwain, much like his two assistants, is telling Carter that the Gators are just waiting on him to make the call to commit.

“Coach Mac really has the same message as Coach Rumph and Coach Collins do,” Carter said of McElwain’s message. “He said that he’s also ready for me to commit and I just need to let him know when I’m ready to commit. He said he has a spot waiting on me.”

For most of Carter’s recruitment two teams have remained at the top of his list and he maintains that’s still true right now.

“Florida, Clemson, Tennessee and Ole Miss are all recruiting me pretty hard right now,” he said. “Florida and Clemson are still 50/50 at the top right now. Nobody is leading for me right now. l plan to make a decision after the season is over.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Carter said he will take a visit or two to Gainesville this summer and that he will most likely visit Clemson this summer too. The Gators continue to be high on his mind, as Florida has made it known that he’s wanted in Gainesville.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

1 COMMENT

  1. It would be great if they could get a top DE like him. Carter and Parks together, would be a dream come true for fans,coaches,and the team. I think Carter will be a 5 star and in the top 20,maybe even 10 by the end of the year.