Carson likes being part of building process
Though National Signing Day for the class of 2017 is just over 15 weeks away, the Kansas Jayhawks have already begun work on 2018. David Beaty’s staff was the first to extend a Division I offer to Daniel Carson, a defensive lineman from Independence (MO) William Chrisman.
“The defensive linemen coach, he came down and saw me in class,” Carson said of Kansas assistant Michael Slater. “He told me he was going to come to the game. We were playing North Kansas City. He came, and it just so happened I made a sack and strip on the goalline. He texted my coach after the game, and said that he would be offering soon.”
The following morning, Carson got word from Chrisman head coach Scorpio Horn that the Jayhawks had offered. The big defensive lineman admitted he was stunned to land his first offer from a Power 5 program.
“It was something I dreamed about a lot as a kid,” Carson said of the opportunity to play college football. “I always wanted to play on the big screen, to let my mom and parents watch me. To get a offer from a big school like that was a relief, but it was also shocking. The fact that my talent was good enough, that I caught a coach’s eye with my talents, it motivated me to keep working hard.”
Carson has been a big part of a huge turnaround for Chrisman. With 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks, he’s helped the surging Bears to an 8-1 record, and a berth in the Missouri Class 6 playoffs. He sees similarities between his squad and the Jayhawks.
“Over the years, they’ve struggled, and they are trying to rebuild their program,” he said of KU. “I’m excited that they want me to be a part of that. I like it very much. It’s the same here as my high school. We are rebuilding right now. We haven’t had a winning season in 53-years. I want to be part of something new, something bigger than myself.”
A three-sport athlete, Carson also plays basketball at Chrisman, and throws the shot put on the Bears track and field team. He logged a pair of 20-point, 20-rebound games to close out his sophomore season on the hardwood, and qualified for state track with a throw of 54-feet, 9.5-inches.
“The funny thing is I started playing basketball when I was five,” Carson said of his time on the hardwood. “I didn’t start playing football until the seventh grade. I didn’t know nothing about a three-point stance, until Coach Cobbins at Kipp Endeavor.”
Michael Cobbins is the athletic director at Kipp Endeavor Academy, a public charter school in Kansas City, MO. A former Missouri Western defensive lineman, and a member of the Griffons Athletics Hall of Fame, he visited Carson’s home every day, trying to convince him to play football.
“As a matter of fact, he came to my home one day, got me on the porch, and talked to me for hours,” Carson said of Cobbins. “Begging me to play. ‘You should come out to play football. You can be really good. You could help your family someday.’”
“I wasn’t that good,” he said, looking back on his younger self. “I wasn’t in good shape. I thought ‘This man is crazy!’ I just wanted to play basketball. He showed me the ropes, and I’m very happy to say he’s my head coach that taught me everything I know. He pushed me, and I wouldn’t be here without him.”
The Jayhawks aren’t the only program that has shown interest in Carson. Kansas State, and Missouri have all been in touch with Coach Horn about the standout junior. Each could be in line for an unofficial visit from Carson this season.
“Andy Hill came up to the school from Mizzou before the Fort Osage game,” he said of the longtime Tigers assistant coach. “I’m hearing from my coach they may offer me as well. I went to the K-State camp during the summer, and I’m getting stuff from them as well about the Big 12, their tradition, and stuff like that.”
“I was planning on going to KU, actually,” he said of being in Lawrence for the Jayhawks matchup with Oklahoma State. “I was supposed to visit, but I have the ACT Saturday. During the next home game, I’m pretty sure I’ll be there. I might take a trip to MU and K-State, because two of our coaches are alumni from there that played running back and linebacker there, Carlos Alsup and (former Olathe East head coach) Jeff Meyers.”
With his decision well over a year away, Carson is in no hurry to make a decision about where he will play college football. He does know that education is important to him, and the opportunity to make an impact with his degree will be a factor.
“What I’ve been looking for is for my education to be paid for,” Carson said of his recruitment. “Whatever major I want to do, the fact that I can get it free is very exciting. That’s first. I want to be a coach or a teacher. Something like a physical therapist or trainer, in the sports-area, of course.”
“When Coach Cobbins came, it was a blessing, because he taught me everything a father should have taught. I want to be like him. A coach that teaches kids, and takes them under his wing as a father. Have an impact on a child’s life, and give them the chances I didn’t have growing up.”