4-Star Keldrick Carper Talks Recruitment, Wants to Be a Professor After Career

NEW ORLEANS — The recruiting process usually makes prospects such as 4-star athlete Keldrick Carper learn the background of the various coaches who are recruiting him.

However, Carper—who reports a 4.0 GPA with plans to major in African Studies—has designs on a career in academia when his playing career ends.

That means his research will extend further and deeper into the academic staff of each of the institutions he is considering.

“I want to be a professor when my career is over. That’s why I want to graduate early and get a head start on it a little bit,” Carper told Bleacher Report. “I want to do a little background research on the professors wherever I go. I will be looking them up just like I study the history of the coaches who are recruiting me."

The 6’3”, 185-pounder from Plain Dealing High School (Louisiana) could excel on the next level playing either receiver or defensive back.

While he does have a preference on which side of the ball he wants to play on, he’s flexible if the school he chooses wishes to experiment with him a little bit.

“I have more offers on defense than I do at receiver. It doesn’t really matter to me,” Carper said. “I just want to go to a place that is the best school for me where I can make an impact on the field as soon as possible. Those are big factors. I prefer playing defense, but if it came down to it and I need to play receiver that first year and then move to defense, I’m all for it.”

The most recent power to enter the mix for Carper is Notre Dame, which is an offer that definitely caught his attention.

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By The Grace Of God , I Have Just Received A Official Offer From THE Prestigious University Of Notre Dame ☘ pic.twitter.com/ARwOsBnpiV

— Keldrick Carper ® (@Keldrick_Carper) April 6, 2016"

“That was huge. They are instantly in the discussion among the top of my list,” Carper said. “[Fighting Irish defensive backs coach] Todd Lyght gave me the offer and they are recruiting me as a DB.”

He noted that he plans to visit South Bend, Indiana, in the summer, but he’s spent the last few weeks visiting a few programs in SEC country: Georgia, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

He briefly spoke on what stood out during those visits:

• Georgia: “Georgia blew me away on that visit. It really stood out to me. Talking to [head] Coach [Kirby] Smart and [defensive coordinator] Coach [Mel] Tucker, I was excited to get over there.”
• Tennessee: “I’ve been there before. I’m really good with [receivers] Coach [Zach Azzanni] and [running backs] Coach [Robert] Gillespie. I’ve developed some good relationships with them. And Knoxville is beautiful. There’s nothing like it. When the sun goes down, it’s a beautiful sight.”
• Vanderbilt: “It was a nice visit. Nashville is a beautiful city. I already know Vanderbilt is a prestigious academic school. I got to sit down with [head] Coach [Derek] Mason and talk about the future they have there. I think they will shock some people this year. I think so.”

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U G A ⚫️⚫️ GREAT TO FINALLY MEET COACH SMART  , COACH TUCKER & COACH COLEY !!! GREAT COACHES EVEN BETTER MEN ! pic.twitter.com/lMvejuQQG7

— Keldrick Carper ® (@Keldrick_Carper) April 1, 2016"

Carper singled out LSU, Texas and USC as schools that he would want to hear more from in the future. Of the schools that have offered him, he stated that three programs are recruiting him the hardest.

“Notre Dame and Texas A&M and Georgia. Those are the three coming after me the hardest,” Carper said.

The No. 11 overall prospect from the Pelican State noted the importance that academics will play in his decision.

“A lot of schools don’t have [my] major. If they do—the schools that I like do—they are automatically in there with me,” he said.

With his plans to enroll at the school of his choice in January, he stated that a decision could come as soon as June. If he’s not ready at that point, he would make a decision in December.

Aside from academics, he will also be looking at a few other factors that will be pivotal in his decision-making process.

“I would say the demographics of the school. The racial demographics. I want to go to a diverse school,” Carper explained. “The comfort level on campus is a big thing for me. Sports will take care of itself. Being able to live there is important and I feel a lot of athletes don’t look at that. Those are the main things I will consider.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani