Auburn 'dream school growing up' for Texas transfer DL Trill Carter

AUBURN – Defensive lineman Trill Carter started his Thursday interview by making sure the media knew Auburn was his school growing up.

“Honestly it has been good,” Carter said. “I don’t think anybody really knows this, but this is my dream school growing up in high school and stuff like that. I always wanted to come to Auburn I just didn’t have the offer back then. But, I am here now, so that’s all that matters.”

An injury that prevented him from playing his entire junior year of high school slowed him down from garnering more attention, he said. So, he ended up at Minnesota out of high school. While there, he played with Gage Keys, another transfer defensive lineman who has made his way to Auburn.

“Yes, me and Gage (Keys) played together for three years,” Carter said. “I was there for four but he was there for three. It’s good to link up with somebody I used to play with at Minnesota. But, it’s always good to have to be here and have somebody I already knew.”

Carter gave some insight on what Auburn is getting in Keys.

“He’s changed ever since I met him,” he said. “At first, at Minnesota he played defensive end. He always wanted to play defensive tackle, but didn’t get the chance at Minnesota. Watching him play at Kansas, just watching how much his hunger for the game has changed, he is taking his game serious now. I really respect that from him.”

What Auburn is getting in Carter

Having a new defensive line coach is the norm for Carter. But, he had to make sure he could trust his defensive line coach for his last year.

“Back in my older days, it was kind of hard for me to trust coaches. Now I am an older player, so it was very easy for me to trust him (Vontrell King-Williams) with my last year of football.”

Of course, King-Williams was not the defensive line coach yet when Carter transferred, but he played a part in the decision.

“For me, I have had a new defensive line coach every single year that I have been in college football,” Carter said. “I feel like one of the things with Coach Vontrell, it was easy for me to trust him. (King-Williams) was a real genuine person along with Coach G who was here. He was just a real genuine person up front. He communicated to me how he could make me better as a person and also as a football player.”

Where is Carter fitting in Auburn’s defense so far?

“Nose, I play a little tackle as well,” Carter said. “I prefer to play both because I feel like that makes you more valuable. I play nose and 3-tech.”

What is Auburn getting in Carter?

“My explosiveness, my quickness off the ball,” Carter said. “Me being a smaller defensive tackle, I have to have my first step in the ground before the offensive line has its first step in the ground. Of course, I’m not really super weight room strong, but I have on-field strength. I probably don’t have the numbers in the weight room–I’m strong, don’t get me wrong–but when I get on that field at 6-foot, I can hold my own most definitely.”

Carter knew he was going to be relied on as an older guy who will have to play significant snaps. He likes that role.

“Pretty well, being one of the older most experienced guys on the defensive line,” Carter said. “I feel like I have been fitting in pretty well teaching the young guys small things. Also, having them teach me stuff. That’s what it’s all about. Just because you’re an older guy it doesn’t mean you know everything. Younger guys, they have a voice as well.”

Who is standing out?

When asked the broad question of who is standing out in the defensive line room, Carter gave two names.

“I really like Malik (Blocton) and D-Reed (Darron Reed),” Carter said. “They’re young guys. The reason I like Malik so much–as a younger player, you don’t really understand football. You don’t understand formations and stuff like that. Where the running back is aligned, the tight ends and all that type of stuff. As a young player, he gets it. Now, he might mess up, but he gets it and understands it. Of course he was brought up by his older brother.”

“I just like D-Reed because he reminds me of one of my older teammates back in Minnesota. He just loves the game of football and is very talented as well. He’s probably, I feel like he’s going to be one of the best defensive tackles in these upcoming years. Him and Malik for sure.”

As for DJ Durkin’s defense, Carter likes that he is being moved around a lot.

“I like how we can do four down front and three down front,” Carter said. “I really like it–I can play the zero, or I can play the 2i, or 3-technique. It allows the defensive line to make plays. Everybody has a chance to make plays.”