4-star LB Lewis Carter commits to Oklahoma

At the end of his recruiting process, Tampa (Fla.) Tampa Catholic four-star linebacker Lewis Carter was deciding between Auburn, Oklahoma and UCF. Carter felt that one school, however, was “all in” with the entire staff for his recruitment. That program was the Sooners, who he committed to on Saturday.

The 6-foot, 196 pound linebacker and No. 172 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus recently took an official visit to Norman with his family and said Oklahoma “show(ed) great love” throughout the entire weekend. The experience ended up being a key facet in his decision.

“It was big,” Carter told On3. “I met a couple of players and they were saying great things… (Someone) was just saying that it’s like a second home basically. No matter how far you are away from home, (it doesn’t matter) when you have the right people around you pushing you every day just to become a better you and develop you as a better man. It’s overall just the coaching staff, the players to the conditioning people, they’re all just great people.”

Another large part of Carter’s decision is his belief in Brent Venables, Oklahoma’s first-year head coach, and the lessons he can provide.

“Coach always talking about that vision, that goal, that main thing,” said Carter, the No. 12 linebacker in the On3 Consensus. “He doesn’t always keep the main focus on football. He just has that vision in life, just overall, using football to help you have that vision in the world. To be a better you overall.”

Carter is excited to go out of his comfort zone with the Sooners

Following his official visit, Carter took his time making a decision because he wanted to weigh all three programs. He paid close attention to each of his finalist’s staffs and how they were going to evolve over time.

Carter also spoke with Sooners defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof, who said that he is capable of playing in all three linebacker spots. He added that Roof believes he can be an all-around player that blitzes and defends in coverage.

Eventually, Carter felt he was ready to commit to the Sooners.

“You know how everybody talk(s)(about how) it’s not that close to home,” Carter said. “I just decided to (get out) and see new things. It’s probably going to be uncomfortable at first, but you grow in uncomfortable situations. I feel I’m going to be able to go out and develop in this. They might do some things out there I haven’t seen yet, but I’ll probably love it.

“I’m excited to get out and get away and see new things in the world and just grow as a person and develop myself. Other than just being here down in Florida, I just want to grow and see different situations, different cultures and all that stuff.”