For every 12th grader, where they are going to college after they graduate can hang over them for the entire school year.
Brighton senior Devan Carter is one of the lucky ones. The football standout’s mind is already made up.
Carter verbally committed to Syracuse during a camp earlier this month. After a high school career where he excelled at linebacker and running back, he will play inside linebacker for the Orange.
“I commited to Syracuse because it was a good schoool, close to home, and the coaching staff that I had met with were really nice people,” Carter said. “I like the atmosphere they are bringing to the football program.”
Carter started playing football in the seventh grade and after his sophomore year, his coaches started to believe he could play on the Division I level. When Steve Lian, Brighton’s new head coach arrived though, he quickly noticed something about Carter: he was out of position.
Carter began his career as a lineman. The former Pittsford offensive coordinator saw the potential for him to excel in the backfield.
“At that point he was more of a track kid that played football,” Lian said. “He was a lineman but he was fast so we let him carry the ball once in a while. When he was on the (junior varsity) team, he might have been the best football player in the school.”
Lian soon put together a highlight tape of Carter’s best moments for college coaches despite the fact he hadn’t played a down on the varsity level. Syracuse and Buffalo saw the potential - they quickly called contacted Brighton coaches.
Carter was a jack-of-all trades on the defensive side of the ball last season playing defensive line, linebacker and free safety finishing with 35 tackles and five sacks.
Carter rushed for 1,440 yards and averaged 8.5 yards a carry at running back.
“I think I bring speed for my size, and power I bring behind the ball,” Carter said. “For my size I am agile, it helps out on the field and apply my strengths as a running back.”
Carter and several of his Baron teammates spent last week at Brighton’s Football Camp. With Lian stepping in for his first season as head coach, optimism is high for one of Section 5’s long-suffering programs.
The Barons lost only two starters from last year’s team (1-7). Brighton opens the season Sept. 1 at Greece Arcadia.
“It feels exactly the same around here,” Carter said. “I want us to feel sucesssful, feel like we accomplished something, feel like we are better than before.”
For every 12th grader, where they are going to college after they graduate can hang over them for the entire school year.
Brighton senior Devan Carter is one of the lucky ones. The football standout’s mind is already made up.
Carter verbally committed to Syracuse during a camp earlier this month. After a high school career where he excelled at linebacker and running back, he will play inside linebacker for the Orange.
“I commited to Syracuse because it was a good schoool, close to home, and the coaching staff that I had met with were really nice people,” Carter said. “I like the atmosphere they are bringing to the football program.”
Carter started playing football in the seventh grade and after his sophomore year, his coaches started to believe he could play on the Division I level. When Steve Lian, Brighton’s new head coach arrived though, he quickly noticed something about Carter: he was out of position.
Carter began his career as a lineman. The former Pittsford offensive coordinator saw the potential for him to excel in the backfield.
“At that point he was more of a track kid that played football,” Lian said. “He was a lineman but he was fast so we let him carry the ball once in a while. When he was on the (junior varsity) team, he might have been the best football player in the school.”
Lian soon put together a highlight tape of Carter’s best moments for college coaches despite the fact he hadn’t played a down on the varsity level. Syracuse and Buffalo saw the potential - they quickly called contacted Brighton coaches.
Carter was a jack-of-all trades on the defensive side of the ball last season playing defensive line, linebacker and free safety finishing with 35 tackles and five sacks.
Carter rushed for 1,440 yards and averaged 8.5 yards a carry at running back.
“I think I bring speed for my size, and power I bring behind the ball,” Carter said. “For my size I am agile, it helps out on the field and apply my strengths as a running back.”
Carter and several of his Baron teammates spent last week at Brighton’s Football Camp. With Lian stepping in for his first season as head coach, optimism is high for one of Section 5’s long-suffering programs.
The Barons lost only two starters from last year’s team (1-7). Brighton opens the season Sept. 1 at Greece Arcadia.
“It feels exactly the same around here,” Carter said. “I want us to feel sucesssful, feel like we accomplished something, feel like we are better than before.”
