BURG Sports Network

1.  What was it like to play high school football at Briar Woods and what was it like winning state titles?

            I loved playing football & going to school at Briar Woods. I had originally began my high school career at DeMatha Catholic High School in maryland, but transferred to Briar after just one quarter, best decision my family and I could’ve made. I love it, I love the teacher and the environment, and of course you see how football went. We won 2 state titles while I was there, and went to 2 more after I left. I loved every second of it.

2.  What lessons did your High School Head Coach Pierce teach you that helped you transition both to college football and during your Freshman year at Stanford?

            Coach Pierce taught us all toughness. Mentally and physically we were a tough football team. He taught us what it meant to work and what it took to be great. He was a strong leader and we were a disciplined team because of him. No excuses, no explanations, just hard work!

3.  In your life, who has been your biggest role model?

            I most definetly have to say my father (Tom Carter III). He paved the way for me and set the example of what it meant to be a man off the field, and how to succeed at the highest level on the field. He is my father and my personal life coach. He was tough on me growing up, but I believe that is because he knew all that I could be and he always wanted me to be the best possible version of myself.

4.  What was it like to play for Head Coach David Shaw? 

            Coach Shaw is a great man as well. I’ve been very fortunate to have some great leaders in my lifetime, and Coach Shaw is another one. Obviously you see his leadership ability in what we were able to do on the field, winning the Rose Bowl my freshman year, going back again my Sophomore year, and then going again a year after I left Stanford early. Off the field is where his value to us really displayed itself as well. As good as we were on the field, Coach Shaw stressed the importance of our academic education and what the Stanford degree could do for us in life. Looking back, I really appreciate his leadership!

5.  Was there an upperclassman teammate or an assistant coach who helped you a lot when you were an underclassman on the team?

            Jordan Richards (S, Patriots) was my biggest mentor while at Stanford. His strength, wisdom, and guidance kept me strong during some of my most difficult times while at school and while playing. As successful and as fortunate as I’ve been able to be, I always looked up to Jordan and thought “Wow, that’s a real Stanford man.”

6.  What was it like to have former Stone Bridge Bulldog Quarterback Ryan Burns as your teammate at Stanford?

            Ryan is awesome! I’ve known him through a mutual friend years before he committed to Stanford. It was cool having another friend from Ashburn come all the way across the country to go to school with me. I’m excited for his future and to see where he lands.

7.  Which game was a highlight for you at Stanford?

            Most definitely the 99th Rose Bowl my freshman year (2012). We played Wisconsin and won 20-16. We went back to the 100th Rose Bowl my Sophomore year, but unfortunately ended up falling to Michigan State in the last few minutes, that one still hurts.

8.  Can you express what it was like to get drafted by the Detroit Lions?

            It was a dream come true. My whole life I’ve grown up hoping and praying that I would one day be drafted and have the opportunity to be a professional football player, and in 2015 that dream became a reality. Emotions were all over the place, this is something I’ve put so much dedication and effort into for the past 15 years of my life and it finally paid off. I’m encouraged now to continue this dream and mission, excited to see where my journey in the NFL takes me.

9.  Since your dad was a former NFL player how much did you want to be a football player growing up?

            Like I said earlier, my father was my biggest role model. I wanted to do everything he did. Go to the NFL, get married young, be successful. So from the time I could hold a football in my hands I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life since it’s what I watched my dad do for so many years, it was literally in my blood to do so.

10.  In your NFL rookie year, how was your first mini camp? Were you excited or nervous/what was your feeling that day?

            First mini camp was a lot of fun. A lot of nervous energy. I believe that coming into the NFL that year I was the youngest player in the league at age 20. So I literally felt like a kid just living his dream. I remember soaking up as much information as I could, and then just trying to go out on the field and show the coaches that they made a good choice by investing in me. It was a lot of fun, definitely a highlight of my life.

11. What was it like to have current Penn State Quarterback Trace McSorley as your High School Teammate and starting Quarterback at Briar Woods?

            Trace McSorley is the goat. He is without a doubt the biggest reason why Briar Woods went to four straight championships. I’m just happy and grateful that he was my quarterback and made me look good out there! Haha. But no really, he is an incredible athlete and leader, and all he knows how to do is win. Great man and one of my best friends off the field as well, I respect him a lot.

12. What was your first NFL game like?

            My first live NFL game was actually just this past year. I unfortunately suffered a bad ankle injury that kept me sidelined my entire rookie year, and I even struggled recovering from it my second year in the league. I got placed on practice squad all the way up until the last couple games of the season before I was brought up to the active roster to play on Monday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. I got about 3 or 4 plays on special teams, but once again I was just out there feeling like a kid just living out his dream. The environment was incredible, the stadium was draw dropping amazing, and my adrenaline was through the roof. We ended up losing the game, but you wouldn’t have been able to tell by looking at me.

13. Final question...Other than a Super Bowl Championship, what do you hope to bring to the Detroit Lions Organization?

            I’m starting to fall in love with the city and the people to be honest. My wife and I have found a place up there, and we enjoy being a part of the Lions organization. I hope to be involved in the community, with the youth, and have a positive impact in the people’s lives up there. The city of Detroit deserves a championship more than anyone. Throughout all the years they have remained faithful and loyal to the team, we owe it to them to bring back home the Lombardi.