Official visits will be key as On300 OL Michael Carroll decides between powerhouse programs
It became evident to those watching lacrosse games that when Michael Carroll Jr. would take the face-off and then go find the next victim to hit and run over that he would ultimately focus on football.
And that’s exactly what happened.
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Carroll ultimately gave up lacrosse the winter of his freshman year, wrestled for a year, but has poured into football and has become of of the most sought-after offensive linemen in the country. On3 ranks him as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the land and No. 27 prospect overall.
Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and Penn State are the finalists to receive a signature from the Doylestown (Pa.) Central Bucks East standout who will take official visits to each program before announcing. Georgia leads off the weekend of May 31, then comes Alabama the weekend of June 7, Penn State is June 14 and Michigan gets the last trip the weekend of June 21.
Easy to see why Carroll is so coveted. In addition to the violence he plays with, Carroll is a unique combination of size, quickness, ability to bend and strength.
“He’s got all those traits in one body,” the elder Carroll said. He played linebacker at Penn State and his wife Letitia played basketball at Michigan State. “He’s very fortunate and he’s been blessed with a lot of God-given ability but he works hard to develop as well.”
One of Carroll’s best traits is being coachable.
“When somebody makes a suggestion to him, his position coach, myself or head coach he listens to it,” Carroll said. “Whether he’s working on something, body composition, footwork fundamentals, he’s always open to coaching.”
Now Carroll heads into summer trying to figure out who will coach him on the next level.
Alabama appears to be setting the pace
The Crimson Tide have emerged as the team to watch but pole position has changed from time to time during this process and the next terrific conversation or visit could change things.
“I think he really likes (offensive line) Coach (Chris) Kapilovic,” the elder Carroll said. “When we went down there a lot of players on the team really embraced him. It’s a different type of feel if you’re a really good high school player. They want you to go there. They know you’re going to make them better. The old iron sharpens iron really applies. The interaction with Tyler Booker was really cool as well.”
Kapilovic began his recruitment of Carroll when he was at Michigan State and that has carried over to Tuscaloosa.
“Coach Kap, Bama, been successful at a lot of different places. He is as real as they get, great communicator and his guys really respond to him.”
The family also really likes head coach Kalen DeBoer.
“Coach DeBoer being very genuine and friendly wanting to spend time with players and really get to know them.”
Michigan is a top contender as well
Carroll was offered last summer during his visit for the Barbecue at the Big House and quickly saw Ann Arbor as a place he could thrive. It doesn’t hurt the Maize and Blue’s chances that they get the last official visit.
“I think he likes the culture up there,” the elder Carroll said. “He really likes Coach (Sherrone) Moore and Coach (Grant) Newsome. Coach Moore was the o-line coach when he was first there. It’s a different feeling you get around that facility and how they manage their players and coach their players. It’s kind of a different experience he’s seen there that he hasn’t really seen anywhere else.”
Carroll Facetimed with Moore on Monday night and he’s always in contact with Newsome.
“Coach Moore being a former offensive lineman, offensive coordinator and now head coach it’s appealing to Mike,” his dad said. “It’s appealing to Mike to play for a guy that has the offensive line front of mind.
“Coach Grant Newsome coached the tight ends at a high level, having played offensive line before. He will do a great job coaching (offensive line) as well. It’s a wheelhouse for him, we saw what he did with the tight end group, he will do the same with the offensive line. Coach Newsome is very relatable as he is one of the youngest position coaches.”
Carroll has always loved Penn State
With the family connections, State College is a place Carroll is very familiar with. Getting to know head coach James Franklin and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein through this process has made the Nittany Lions program a real option for him.
“I think the development of offensive linemen Coach Trautwein has been able to do,” Carroll said. “Growing up and going to Beaver Stadium he’s been there a bunch of times as well. That figures into his interest as well. We moved from Illinois to Pennsylvania when he was in sixth grade. Being able to go to camp and go to games as he’s gotten older has enhanced his interest as well.
“Coach Franklin is a guy that has a lot of enthusiasm and has really brought that program back from a place it was in it’s darkest days and bringing it back to prominence. I think Michael enjoys his conversations and interactions with him. Coach Traut is the consummate technician, relates well to his players. Mike likes him too.”
Georgia working to come on strong down the stretch
The Bulldogs offered on March 1 and quickly jumped into the mix.
“I would say (offensive line) Coach (Stacy) Searels and the amount of players he’s developed and sent to the NFL. His pedigree as both player and coach is really impressive. Obviously Coach Smart is top of the food chain of head coaches.”
The way Smart runs his program has Carroll’s attention.
“With Coach Smart it was he liked the practices there because how hard he challenged the players and you can see he comes from Coach Saban’s coaching tree. He creates a very competitive atmosphere. Coach Stacy Searles is a good teacher and lets his guys coach each other up. A great facilitator and leader of men.”
The official visits are the final part of the process
Carroll is well versed on these programs, schools and coaching staffs. The official visits should be able to check the final box.
“I think it’s going to be where he feels most comfortable around the players,” the elder Carroll said. “I’m hoping he gets to spend time away from coaches and away from parents and see where he fits best and feels where he is most comfortable.”
It’s going to be a tough decision.
“I think it was a two-dog race for a lot of his recruiting,” Michael Sr. said. “It was a Michigan-Penn State race. Then Alabama jumped in. Interestingly enough Coach Chris Kapilovic he leaves Michigan State amidst the Mel Tucker scandal gets to Baylor and offers Mike. He and Mike are both like yeah I’m not going to Baylor. He says wherever I go I have a spot for you. He held true of his calling and as soon he got the Alabama job Mike was one of the first people he offered. They have a long relationship and they got in the fray primarily because of him. Of course Georgia jumped in when they saw that Alabama offered. They’re not going to let their SEC rival take him and my wife is originally from Atlanta.”
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