5-star EDGE Carter Meadows talks growing relationship with Tennessee

Five-star Gonzaga (D.C.) EDGE Rusher Carter Meadows has quickly turned into one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. He has piled up over 30 Division 1 offers now, and the recruiting process is continuing to intensify.

“So, recently, I have kind of just continued to be focused on basketball,” Meadows told Volquest of how he has been handling the process. “We just came off of a state championship win, so that was a good thing. For the past couple of weeks, couple of months, I have stayed focused on that. Definitely have been talking to coaches and gathering information, but I haven’t locked in anything yet. Going forward, me and my parents are going to start narrowing things down a little bit after I take some spring visits that I have to schedule.”

As Meadows prepares to narrow his focus and set visits, there is a process he plans to implement as he looks at different schools.

“I would say when I am looking at a program and a school, I want to look at both together,” Meadows said of this. “The academic side, I value a high education. A good education is very important to me. I think it will be something tangible I can hold onto. When it comes to football, the reason I love the game so much is because you have to play with your brothers. You can’t do anything by yourself. You can’t win a game by yourself, so developing a trust with each player and coach is something special to me. I want to go somewhere everybody is on board with each other and playing for each other. That is the ultimate thing.”

Tennessee is among several schools that have his attention currently.

“I would say definitely the brotherhood part,” Meadows said of what has stood out about Tennessee. “I have seen a couple of their games and how they operate on the sidelines on TV. Coach Chop, talking to him these last couple of weeks, he is a great coach. He loves his guys and values his guys and wants the best for each of them. I think that is something special.”

Meadows has started to build a strong relationship with Tennessee’s outside linebackers Coach Levorn Harbin.

“I would say his consistency and genuine personality,” Meadows said of what stands out Chop. “When we are on the phone, obviously he is recruiting me, but he just wants the best for me, whether I go to Tennessee or somewhere else. He is just calling every day and checking in on me and checking in on and school.He has been keeping up with my basketball. He was one of the first people who texted me after we won the state championship this past Sunday. His genuine care and dedication and being a good person is just something special.”

Another key part of what stands out about Josh Heupel’s program is the development at the LEO position.

“Obviously with James Pearce, he kind of has a similar body type to me, so watching how he plays and how they utilize him is definitely interesting to me,” the five-star said of this. “Seeing how Coach Chop has developed him over his years. Now, the position he (Pearce) is in is definitely very appealing. I can tell they value their guys and the development is what is important to them. Seeing that he is on the biggest stage now and at the combine showing out and about to get drafted first round is definitely appealing.”

Meadows does not currently have any visits locked in for the spring or the summer, but he hopes to make it to Tennessee as he wants to learn more about the program as they continue to prioritize him.

“I think the program and the school are both great,” Meadows said of why he wants to make it to Tennessee in the near future. “I appreciate the love they are sending me, especially Coach Chop. I think when it comes down to it, those visits are a decision I am going to have to go over with my family and see what would be the best fit for me.”