Though Virginia senior defensive tackle Jahmeer Carter has a bright future in football, his approach to the game hasn’t changed from his younger days.
The 6-foot-2, 312-pound defensive tackle has hopes of making it to the NFL, and those dreams are hardly far-fetched at this point. As Carter continues on his journey, he remembers all the moments that led him to Virginia football.
From growing up in Baltimore to attending high school at Archbishop Spalding in Severn, Carter says the choices he made then helped bring him to where he is now.
“I think Spalding really to me was the best place where I could develop as a person to the best of my abilities and a football player as well,” Carter said on Glenn Clark Radio Sept. 13. “At the time I really loved the environment that Spalding had and the coaching staff and all of the faculty members that were there.”
Similarly, Carter took this approach as he continued to Virginia. It’s clear Carter has found a home in representing the Cavaliers. He recorded 14 tackles in his first year, 23 in his second, 29 last year, and already has 6 this year. Carter has played 31 games for the Cavaliers, starting 20.
“I wanted to find a place where there was a strong community, a strong sense of family environment and leadership,” Carter said. “[Virginia] was really the best place for me where I could develop even more.”
However, tragedy struck just last November, when three Virginia football players — Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry — lost their lives in an on-campus shooting.
As Carter and the rest of the team attempt to move forward from these tragic losses, the memories of their teammates and friends remain in the back of their minds.
“We try to honor them through everything we do — academics or even football,” Carter said. “… All three of those guys were determined each and every day. Each of them individually had goals that they wanted to achieve themselves. Really, they came in each day with a smile on their face, energetic and grateful for opportunities that they were given.”
It’s evident in Carter’s play that his game is fueled with passion. His six tackles in three games this season have helped Virginia record stops, but the team has yet to record their first win, currently sitting at 0-3. The Cavaliers went 3-7 last year and 6-6 the year before.
However, Carter isn’t too concerned about the team’s overall success just yet. The tide will turn, he says, as some pieces come together.
“It all starts with our fundamentals. … Making sure we’re assignment sound is really the most important part,” Carter said.
As Carter progresses through his career, the thought of playing on Sundays is becoming more of a reality than merely a dream. He has been scratching and clawing for an opportunity at the next-level for a while now.
He wants to ensure parts of his game are not missed by NFL teams.
“I want to show that I’m technically sound in everything I do,” Carter said. “I can be someone week in and week out that’s consistent, [whoever] the opponent is, and I always try to play my absolute best to a standard.”
Virginia has a long way to go in 2023, and Carter tries not to fantasize about a soon-to-be pro career a year from now.
“It is really hard to focus on something so big and then try to perform your best in the moment,” Carter said.
The team’s next game is against NC State on Friday, Sept. 22 at home as it searches for its first win of the season. Drawing from Carter’s mindset could be the secret to the team’s success.
“I really try to take it day-by-day,” Carter said. “I’ll lift my head up to see where we’re at in the future.”
For more from Carter, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of UVA Athletics