2025 athlete, Jaylin Carter (Lowndes High School – Valdosta, Georgia), has yet to step foot on Marshall’s campus, however he has no doubt Huntington, West Virginia, is where he wants to spend his collegiate career. “I met with Coach Huff for the first time at the Mercer camp and we immediately established a relationship that felt so real and genuine. I felt the exact same way with Coach Lockette. I ran into them both again at the USF camp and appreciated how real and honest they were with me,” shared Carter.
“After the USF camp, Coach Lockette made it known that my offer was committable. I was able to talk to Coach Huff three or four times on the phone after that and it really helped solidify my decision. As a player, when it comes to coaching if you want to achieve success at the highest level you want to be coached by the best and I know that is what I will be getting from Coach Huff and Coach Lockette.”
Carter continued, “I am the type of guy who likes to do research and watch films and I knew that Coach Lockette had previously been at FSU and that Coach Huff had spent time at Alabama and learned from Coach Saban. I believe they can bring out the best in me.”
Speaking of watching film, game film is not the only clips that the 5’11”, 185-pound, senior-to-be has been watching. “Since I haven’t visited campus yet, I have watched several videos of campus, campus life, and the stadium. Being from Valdosta, I understand how important it is for the community to come out and support the team and Coach Huff shared that Huntington has a lot of that same culture.”
When it came to making a commitment, Carter credits several factors into his final decision. “First and foremost, it was the coaches and the relationship and immediate chemistry we formed. With me being a wide receiver and knowing that Randy Moss went to Marshall, that also played a factor. My dad has been to Huntington before and has seen the campus, plus Jarquez Samuel, who played defensive line for Marshall, is from Valdosta and I have had a couple of conversations with him about his experience. He has had nothing but positive things to say.”
Carter was not shy when asked to describe his game and what Herd fans should expect to see when he suits up in the green and white. “I’m electric. Here at Lowndes, my nickname is ‘Mr. Waffle House’ because I am always open,” said Carter with a laugh. “I want to make the crowd excited, but mostly I just love the game of football and will do whatever I can to help the team. If they need me to play defense, I will. If I need to play offensive line, I’ll do that too.”
As a film junkie, Carter spends a lot of time watching Odell Beckham, Jr., Tank Dell, Rashad Bateman, and Justin Jefferson. The most burning question, however, may be where he will take the most snaps during his college career. “We are in the process of installing a new offense at Lowndes for this season and I will be getting some additional touches at running back. I feel like I have a great understanding of the playbook and can pass protect, hit the hole, plus I have great hands and am quick. I am built like a running back from the waist down, but with my ball skills, it allows me to be versatile. Right now, I believe the plan is for me to start out at wide receiver at Marshall, but I can definitely see myself getting some jet sweeps or snaps in the backfield early on.”
Carter had 37 catches for 539 yards and four touchdowns as a junior and has even bigger aspirations as he closes out his high school career. “My goal for my senior year it to break the all-time receiving record at Lowndes, which is 864 yards. I want to have at least 10 touchdowns and 1,200 all-purpose yards. As a team, I want us to beat our crosstown rival, Valdosta and win the regional championship. It would be an honor if I could be named the Region 1 7A Player of the Year.”
Although he is unsure if he will graduate early, Carter indicated that he plans to speak with Coach Huff and Coach Lockette about it this week. Carter chose Marshall over offers from Georgia Southern, UMASS, UAB, Appalachian State, Austin Peay, Valdosta State, FAU, UCONN, WKU Alabama State, North Alabama, Navy, Georgia State, Kent State, EKU, Morgan State, Army, South Alabama, and Alabama A&M.
