4-star safety Martels Carter commits to Kentucky: ‘I feel like I can make a big impact at UK’

Paducah (Ky.) Paducah Tilghman four-star safety Martels Carter moved to Kentucky from Tennessee last summer. That is when the in-state SEC school started pursuing him hard.

Kentucky’s recruitment of Carter involved head coach Mark Stoops, associate head coach/tight ends coach Vince Marrow and safeties coach Frank Buffano communicating with the 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back. The Wildcats’ efforts won out, as Carter committed to Kentucky over Colorado, Oregon and Tennessee on Saturday.

“I feel like I can make a big impact at UK,” Carter told On3. 

“I like how they see me, how the system fits me and how the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach see me running their scheme,” he added. “And I already know some of the players, so it’s going to be a smooth transition.” 

Carter likes the ‘family vibe’ at Kentucky

Carter is confident that Kentucky will “let me be me” while playing college football in Lexington. The Wildcats treating him like a priority recruit stood out to the No. 1 player in Kentucky. 

An official visit to Kentucky has not been scheduled yet by Carter, but he believes he will return to the Wildcats’ campus in June. The SEC program has already hosted him between four and five times. 

“I get a family vibe there,” said Carter, the No. 193 overall prospect and No. 17 safety in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “I feel good over there. The feeling is like I can wake up at any point in time, do what I need to do and go back to the dorms. I trust the coaches and the players. There is a real brotherhood and a family-oriented group over there.” 

Carter is excited to play for Stoops

Stoops has taken Kentucky to new heights while serving as the Wildcats’ head coach. Last season, the Wildcats upset then-No. 10 Louisville in their regular season finale.  

Texas A&M almost landed Stoops as their next head coach this offseason, but he decided to stay in Lexington. Carter is looking forward to playing for him once he arrives on campus. 

“He actually does what he says,” Carter said. “If you look at the background of college football coaches, not all coaches stay in the same place for a long time. He hasn’t left Kentucky yet. Some coaches move if they see a better opportunity, but he stayed. He tells you that he’s bought in. When you know a coach is bought in, you don’t have to worry about hopping in the transfer portal. You can just work and do you.”