I’m 100 percent sure I’ll be ready. I feel so healthy. I’ve never felt like this in my whole life. – Tevin Carter
SALT LAKE CITY — Tevin Carter’s one and only season with the Utes has sort of turned into two. The NCAA granted Utah's senior safety another year of eligibility after a groin injury limited him to just four games in 2014.
The process, Carter acknowledged, was difficult.
“I was sure I was going to get my year back but it wasn’t a guaranteed thing,” Carter said. “So I didn’t know if I was ready to leave this yet and go somewhere else. So I’m happy I got my year back because now I feel confident and I’m ready to go.”
Health is the biggest reason why.
Carter tried to rehab his injury without surgery last season in hopes of getting back on the field for the last couple of games. However, it was getting late and he ultimately decided to have an operation and pursue an appeal to the NCAA for another season.
Ultimately, everything worked out.
“I’m 100 percent sure I’ll be ready. I feel so healthy,” Carter said. “I’ve never felt like this in my whole life.”
As camp gets underway, Carter just needs to shed a little weight. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the projected starter at strong safety is about 222 pounds and that his optimal playing weight is 212-215.
“He’s working to do that but as far as the ankle and the groin — everything that was ailing him in last year’s situation — it’s all a non-factor,” Whittingham explained.
Carter agrees.
“I’m feeling healthy, just out of shape,” he said. “I’ve just got to get in shape. That’s the main thing.”
In the meantime, Carter noted that he understands the plays and everything better. He added that he’s quicker and reacts faster.
That’s saying something considering his past. In high school, Carter won the Los Angeles city title in the 200-meter sprint and placed second in the 100. The former redshirt at Cal eventually found his way to Utah after stints at L.A. Southwest and El Camino colleges. He didn’t play football at the latter and joined the Utes the next year.
Last season’s early exit didn’t sit well for obvious reasons. Carter was making a big impact. He intercepted passes in victories over Michigan and UCLA, scoring a touchdown with a 27-yard return against the Bruins.
“I didn’t think I was going to be that type of guy last year just because I had sat out a whole year,” Carter said. “Now everybody knows me as the big playmaker. So obviously I’ve got to live up to that name.”
In preparation for his encore as a Ute, Carter said he is more focused on tackling — specifically open-field tackling.
“I’ve just got to get ready for the tempo and then I’ll be good,” he said.
Teammate Marcus Williams, a junior currently topping the depth chart at free safety, noted that Carter is back-pedaling and breaking well — doing all the things that the position requires.
“He’s looking really good right now,” Williams said.
Utah safeties coach Morgan Scalley is excited about Carter’s progression, explaining that he’s much better technique-wise since spring ball. His footwork — from the get-go — wasn’t real great.
“The biggest thing for him coming off that injury was getting the flexibility back and getting his speed back,” said Scalley, who added that Carter is an instinctive, physical player.
As the lone senior in the secondary, Carter is looked upon as a leader.
“I feel like I do have a big responsibility in there,” he said. “Obviously I love it because I play with people who know what they’re doing. So it’s not that hard.”
While Carter says he's learning from younger players, he's also cool with mentoring. There’s a lot of variables in play.
“It’s very easy to lead the young guys,” he said. “They came in, they want to learn.”
However, Carter readily admits he’s not doing it alone. He has help and refers to the leadership Williams displays.
While Carter and Williams are running with the No. 1 team on offense, junior Jason Thompson and sophomore Andre Godfrey are also doing well according to Whittingham. So, too, are some young players at the position.
Scalley said Utah may have more depth than ever at safety.
The secondary, as a whole, has some holes to fill with the graduation of Eric Rowe and Brian Blechen — as well as the troubles that have sidelined starting cornerback Dominique Hatfield.
The Hatfield situation is especially challenging.
“Obviously that’s a friend. We’d do anything to get him back on the team,” said Carter, who expressed confidence and trust in the cornerbacks on the active roster. “Do we lose something? Yes. We did lose a lot, but we also got something new. So I mean at the end of the day, it happened, it’s done. Now we’ve got to move on from it.”
Junior cornerback Reggie Porter admits the loss of Hatfield has been emotionally difficult. Even so, he’s optimistic about the secondary.
“I think we’re going to be solid. We’ve just got to keep working. In fall camp, we’ve got to keep getting better,” Porter said. “I know it’s going to be tough with the loss of Dom Hatfield. He was a big part of us, but we’ve got to come together as a group and try to get better.”
It’s going to take time, he explained, as the Utes prepare for their Sept. 3 opener against Michigan.
“We’ve got to put a chip on our shoulder because a lot of people don’t see the secondary as a strong point,” Porter continued. “But we’ve got to fight through that and get better as a group — and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Williams has similar confidence.
“We’re going to be solid. Everybody’s picking up really well,” Williams said. “We’re a tight group. Everybody’s learning the scheme and everybody’s learning the defense so we’re going to be all connected and that’s going to help us for the season.”
Email: dirk@desnews.com
Twitter: @DirkFacer