Here's my Q&A with wide receiver Devin Carter, the No. 11 overall prospect in the 2026 class, following his visit to Notre Dame on Saturday.
Questions have been paraphrased. I'll have a full story later.
DEVIN CARTER
What made you want to get up to Notre Dame?
“First of all, any team that offers me, I give them the chance to show me what they got and give them an opportunity in my recruiting process. Right now, I like Notre Dame, coach Brown, coach Denbrock and coach Freeman. I like them. I was just excited to get up.”
What stood out during your Notre Dame visit?
“I was able to watch practice, and I liked the intensity of the practice and how fast the guys were moving. Just how everybody picked up each other when someone was doing wrong and corrected it immediately. I like the culture around Notre Dame.”
What's your relationship with coach Brown?
“Our first time meeting was actually on Saturday, so it’s still new and fresh. But I’m looking forward to what’s in front of us and how are relationship builds from now on.”
What’s your sense for coach Freeman?
“He’s cool. He’s laidback. But he’s hard on you whenever he needs to be. That’s what I like about him. You need a coach that can coach you hard and get your where you need to be. Not all the time it’s going to be sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes you gotta get coached hard. That’s what I like about him.”
What did you see from ND’s offense?
“They’re going to throw the ball a lot, and they’re going to get the ball in their playmakers’ hands in space just like coach Denbrock did at LSU last year. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with this offense this year.”
You've been traveling so much, how are you holding up?
“Holding up good enough.”
Tomorrow is Ohio State and the last one for a while. Trying to get up to the LSU and Louisville spring games.
What’s it been like with so many visits in such a short amount of time?
“It’s a blessing to be honest. Not everybody is able to do this. I appreciate my family for taking me on these trips and letting me see what would best fit me for my college decision. I’m just enjoying it right now, letting it play out.”
Any visits that surprised you?
“Yeah. The LSU visit I really liked. Notre Dame surprised me a little bit. Ohio State tomorrow I’m really excited for.”
What are you looking for in a school?
“A coaching staff and a receivers coach who can develop me into a first-round wide receiver draft pick. I’m looking for a coach who can develop me into that and develop me into the best I can be. A coaching staff that will stay on me and coach me hard.”
What went into your decision to decommit from Florida State?
“It was just too early. I didn’t get to look around as much as I needed to to make an informed decision on where I’m going to go to college. Florida State’s still a top school for me, but I just needed to take a step back and see other schools.”
How has your dad helped your recruiting process?
“He’s played a big role. He’s been here before, so he tells me what I need to look for and what will help me, his opinions on coaches that we get to talk to. I’m really appreciative of him and thankful that he’s my father and he’s in my corner throughout this process.”
Do you think you'll get back to ND?
“Yes sir. I’m going to try to get there for a game this fall.”
What’s left to learn about Notre Dame?
“I learned a lot. Now I just have to sit back and watch what the coaches do with this team and what coach Denbrock is doing with the offense this year and the year after that. Hopefully it’s good enough for me to make a decision and hopefully for Notre Dame fans, it’s Notre Dame.”
What are your academic interests?
“I take academics very seriously, because one day football’s going to end. Football doesn’t last forever, and money doesn’t last forever. You’re going to have to be able to pick up after football and feed your family. I’m looking for a school that can give me great academics and a great football program. Notre Dame can do that.”
Notre Dame has success with NFL kids? Why do you think that is?
“The school is a prestigious program that’s been doing this for years. I don’t see it stopping any time soon. Anyone that gets to go there and has the opportunity to go there like I do, they shouldn’t take it for granted. Learn about Notre Dame and see if that’s what’s best for them.”
Questions have been paraphrased. I'll have a full story later.
DEVIN CARTER
What made you want to get up to Notre Dame?
“First of all, any team that offers me, I give them the chance to show me what they got and give them an opportunity in my recruiting process. Right now, I like Notre Dame, coach Brown, coach Denbrock and coach Freeman. I like them. I was just excited to get up.”
What stood out during your Notre Dame visit?
“I was able to watch practice, and I liked the intensity of the practice and how fast the guys were moving. Just how everybody picked up each other when someone was doing wrong and corrected it immediately. I like the culture around Notre Dame.”
What's your relationship with coach Brown?
“Our first time meeting was actually on Saturday, so it’s still new and fresh. But I’m looking forward to what’s in front of us and how are relationship builds from now on.”
What’s your sense for coach Freeman?
“He’s cool. He’s laidback. But he’s hard on you whenever he needs to be. That’s what I like about him. You need a coach that can coach you hard and get your where you need to be. Not all the time it’s going to be sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes you gotta get coached hard. That’s what I like about him.”
What did you see from ND’s offense?
“They’re going to throw the ball a lot, and they’re going to get the ball in their playmakers’ hands in space just like coach Denbrock did at LSU last year. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with this offense this year.”
You've been traveling so much, how are you holding up?
“Holding up good enough.”
Tomorrow is Ohio State and the last one for a while. Trying to get up to the LSU and Louisville spring games.
What’s it been like with so many visits in such a short amount of time?
“It’s a blessing to be honest. Not everybody is able to do this. I appreciate my family for taking me on these trips and letting me see what would best fit me for my college decision. I’m just enjoying it right now, letting it play out.”
Any visits that surprised you?
“Yeah. The LSU visit I really liked. Notre Dame surprised me a little bit. Ohio State tomorrow I’m really excited for.”
What are you looking for in a school?
“A coaching staff and a receivers coach who can develop me into a first-round wide receiver draft pick. I’m looking for a coach who can develop me into that and develop me into the best I can be. A coaching staff that will stay on me and coach me hard.”
What went into your decision to decommit from Florida State?
“It was just too early. I didn’t get to look around as much as I needed to to make an informed decision on where I’m going to go to college. Florida State’s still a top school for me, but I just needed to take a step back and see other schools.”
How has your dad helped your recruiting process?
“He’s played a big role. He’s been here before, so he tells me what I need to look for and what will help me, his opinions on coaches that we get to talk to. I’m really appreciative of him and thankful that he’s my father and he’s in my corner throughout this process.”
Do you think you'll get back to ND?
“Yes sir. I’m going to try to get there for a game this fall.”
What’s left to learn about Notre Dame?
“I learned a lot. Now I just have to sit back and watch what the coaches do with this team and what coach Denbrock is doing with the offense this year and the year after that. Hopefully it’s good enough for me to make a decision and hopefully for Notre Dame fans, it’s Notre Dame.”
What are your academic interests?
“I take academics very seriously, because one day football’s going to end. Football doesn’t last forever, and money doesn’t last forever. You’re going to have to be able to pick up after football and feed your family. I’m looking for a school that can give me great academics and a great football program. Notre Dame can do that.”
Notre Dame has success with NFL kids? Why do you think that is?
“The school is a prestigious program that’s been doing this for years. I don’t see it stopping any time soon. Anyone that gets to go there and has the opportunity to go there like I do, they shouldn’t take it for granted. Learn about Notre Dame and see if that’s what’s best for them.”
