It could be argued that
C.C. had the biggest impact for West Monroe's defense out of anybody. He led the
Rebels in tackles with a 122 and also added 4 sacks, 10 tackles for a losses,
5 caused fumbles, and 3 recovered fumbles.
Carpenter and LSU signee,
Shomari Clemmons, were the only two 1st Team All-State selections off of their
defense, which also included the highly regarded Will Blackwell and Luther Davis.
What
makes C.C. so special?
"My mobility and my quick reaction to the ball
helps me out a lot," added C.C. Carpenter.
And what will Carpenter
have to work on for the next level?
"I need to get my speed down in
the 4.6 to 4.5 range. I run about a 4.7 right now. I am more quick in the first
10 yards than 40 yards. I am running track right now to help me out with my long
range speed."
West Monroe finally got back to where they are use to
being, which is #1, as they won their first 5A state championship in five seasons.
That might not seem long for most programs, but when you are coming from one of
the more traditionally rich programs in the Deep South, it seemed like an eternity.
"Yea,
I guess you can say it was more of a relief than anything else. We had a lot of
pressure on us, but we came through."
Carpenter has not received any
formal offers yet, but he is receiving some D1 interest.
"Right now,
the main schools who are recruiting me are LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, and ULL. Auburn
and Ole Miss are probably recruiting me harder than anybody else."
Has
C.C. begun to build a relationship with any of the coaches who are recruiting
him?
"I really like Coaches Ensminger (Auburn), Wilson (Ole Miss),
and Surrells (LSU)."
Which colleges have caught C.C.'s eye?
"First,
I would have to put LSU up there. Then I would put Auburn, Ole Miss, and La Tech
in there."
C.C. had a chance to visit LSU, Ole Miss, and Auburn for
their Jr Days. What did he think about each visit?
LSU
- "I like the way their academic program is set up. I also like their facilities."
Ole
Miss - "I loved their facilities. I liked their academic program
too, but their indoor facility and weight room was really surprising to me. I
did not know they had those kind of facilities."
Auburn
- "I loved their staff and how they coach. They are real intense and everything."
La
Tech - "My dad went there, so I have always been a fan of theirs.
I am going up there this weekend for Jr Day, so I should get a better view at
everything after I visit."
Did any one campus feel more homey than
the next?
"Campus wise, I liked Ole Miss'. It felt close to home,
even though it is not."
C.C. will attend the scout combine at Alabama
on April 29th.