Duron Carter, the son Cris Carter, committed to the Crimson Tide on Saturday, according to a report on ESPN.com. He will enroll in June and be eligible this fall after transferring from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, the former Ohio State receiver could be the big target Alabama lacked after Julio Jones opted for the NFL draft instead of a senior season. Without Carter, the Tide’s tallest returning receiver who contributed significantly in 2010 was 6-0 Darius Hanks.
Carter chose Alabama over returning to Ohio State — where his father played. Other offers reportedly came from Auburn, South Florida and West Virginia. Both Rivals.com and Scout.com rated him a four-star JUCO prospect
“It’s a combination of the coaching and the structure and for Duron’s maturity,” Cris Carter told ESPN. “All of those things make it a good match.”
Academics were an issue for Duron Carter during his freshman season at Ohio State in 2009. He transferred to Coffeyville after not making grades to play in the 2010 Rose Bowl. Duron Carter’s freshman season included 13 receptions and 176 yards.
He piled up big numbers early in his one season at Coffeyville. Of his 690 receiving yards, 537 came in the six straight wins that opened the season. He had 153 receiving yards the rest of the season that ended with 44 total receptions. Five of his 10 touchdowns came in a 72-7 pounding of Dodge City. Only one of his catches didn’t go for a touchdown on his 117-yard day bettered only by his 7-catch, 151-yard outing against Air Force prep.
Word of his visit to Tuscaloosa got out earlier this week.
“Just got to meet chris (sic) carter,” Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones posted on his Twitter page Friday evening. “By far the softest hand I’ve ever shaken.”
Cris Carter finished his NFL career as the second-leading receiver in league history with 13,899 yards in 16 seasons mostly with the Minnesota Vikings. After retiring in 2002, he’s been a finalist for Hall of Fame induction in the four years of eligibility but hasn’t been elected.
