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Welcome back to the Tigers Football Insider, where we bring you the latest news and analysis from The Daily Memphian’s Steven Johnson each week.
The Tevin Carter sweepstakes are hitting the stretch run and the Memphis Tigers are right in the thick of things.
However, two new challengers have entered the picture and could complicate things for the Tigers.
First let’s set the stage and explain what’s at stake. Carter, who plays with PURE Youth, is ranked the No. 38 quarterback nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
If he committed to Memphis, his .8721 prospect grade would make him one of the 20 highest-graded recruits the Tigers have signed going back to 2001.
It would be a monumental commitment for the Tigers and could improve their standing with a number of local recruits.
That’s why it’s crucial for them to win this battle. Texas A&M remained in Carter’s top four and has been one of his favorites throughout the process.
The 6-foot-4 quarterback also added Ole Miss and Georgia Tech to his finalists as well. The allure of Ole Miss is easily explained. Coach Lane Kiffin is one of the best offensive minds in the country and the chance of Carter putting up video game- like numbers would be high in Kiffin’s system.
Georgia Tech made a late push after hosting Carter on campus for a visit last month.
He received an offer and the Yellow Jackets have now quickly made themselves a contender.
The last three crystal ball picks from recruiting experts at 247Sports have Carter projected to sign with Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets have struggled in the past two seasons under Geoff Collins, but that was to be expected as he tries to modernize the program in the wake of the triple option offense of the Paul Johnson era.
The academic prowess of Georgia Tech, plus the location in Atlanta are certainly positives, but the biggest thing the Yellow Jackets have to offer could be playing time. Earlier this offseason, Carter said that was a priority.
The Yellow Jackets’ quarterback room, led by Jeff Sims, is young and unproven. Sims threw 13 touchdowns and 13 picks last season as a freshman.
If he doesn’t take a step forward this season, there’s a scenario where Carter could come in and compete his first year.
The avenues at other programs would be a little more complicated. Presumed starter Grant Gunnell would have two seasons of eligibility remaining when Carter arrives on campus.
Carter’s talented, but it would be a tough ask to usurp Gunnell, or Keilon Brown for that matter.
The Ole Miss quarterback room is older, led by juniors Matt Corral and John Rhys Plumlee. However, the Rebels signed the No. 20 quarterback in the 2021 class, Luke Altmyer.
Texas A&M already has a commitment from 2022 five-star Conner Weigman, who Carter established a friendship with this offseason.
Haynes King, a 2020 five-star, is expected to win the quarterback competition for Jimbo Fisher.
When you look at the picture in totality, the buzz for Georgia Tech makes sense. (No pun intended.)
It’s not over until it’s over. Carter said he planned on taking an official visit to Memphis after taking an unofficial last month.
In other words, there’s still time for the Tigers to surge back into the lead. A decision could be coming with the high school football season about to start.
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With a new kicker and punter, how will Memphis special teams look under new coordinator Charles Bankins?
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