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Pearland’s Carrier commits to New Mexico
By TED DUNNAM
Pearland running back Kasey Carrier committed to the University of New Mexico this past weekend, joining Oiler teammate Jarrad Stewart as the second Oiler football pledge to the Mountain West Conference.
Stewart, a defensive back, committed this past fall to Utah, which just completed a 13-0 season to earn a No. 2 national ranking from the Associated Press.
“It’s a great opportunity for Kasey,” Oiler head coach Tony Heath said. “With coach (Mike) Locksley coming over from Illinois, Kasey’s got a new coaching staff and a new beginning.
“New Mexico’s going to run the spread offense like Illinois did, and they do a lot of stuff that we do.”
Carrier rushed for 2,117 yards on 271 attempts and scored 35 touchdowns in helping lead Pearland to the Class 5A state quarterfinals this season. He also caught 10 passes for 105 yards.
Carrier gained more than 4,000 yards rushing in two years as a starter and one year backing up current University of Texas running back Foswhitt Whittaker.
“I felt like New Mexico was the only coaching staff that was completely honest with me, and wanted me to come to their school,” Carrier said. “Coach Locksley said I could come in and compete for a starting spot right away. Depending on how that works out will determine whether I redshirt or not.”
Carrier also considered Kansas State, Southern Mississippi, Texas Southern and Oregon State.
“After meeting with the coaching staff, seeing the facilities and meeting with the players, New Mexico was the best fit for me,” Carrier said. “They run basically the same offense as we did at Pearland so it should be a good opportunity for me.”
Heath believes Carrier will adapt quickly to the Lobo offense.
“Coach Locksley liked Kasey because of his movement, and the way he stays behind his offensive lineman until he finds a hole. New Mexico also wants kids from winning programs.
“Because our offenses are similar, they felt Kasey would need very little teaching, and they said he has a great chance of playing for them next year.”
Heath said the possibility of Carrier and Stewart meeting on the football field next year is intriguing.
“That would be neat to see Kasey and Stew hitting it up against each other,” Heath said. “That’s a great conference with TCU, BYU and Utah in there. I know both Kasey and Jarrad are real excited about it.”
Stewart said he’ll finally get the opportunity to try to tackle Carrier.
“He’s going to have to run around me – I don’t think he can run through me,” Stewart said. “It’s going to be a nice battle. We never got to hit each other in practice, but now we get a chance to go at it.”
Stewart said Utah’s success this past season has stirred his excitement for the coming fall campaign.
“It makes me feel great to see what they did this year – unbeaten and No. 2 in the nation,” Stewart said. “I’m glad to be going there. Most likely I’ll be playing strong safety and wherever they decide to use me on special teams.”
Two other former Oilers – Whittaker and Oklahoma’s Sam Proctor – went head-to-head this past season in Dallas.
Stewart was recently named the Touchdown Club of Houston’s defensive player of the year.
Pearland High School has also been nominated for the Sportsmanship Award that was to be presented Wednesday by the Touchdown Club.
Stewart, a defensive back, committed this past fall to Utah, which just completed a 13-0 season to earn a No. 2 national ranking from the Associated Press.
“It’s a great opportunity for Kasey,” Oiler head coach Tony Heath said. “With coach (Mike) Locksley coming over from Illinois, Kasey’s got a new coaching staff and a new beginning.
“New Mexico’s going to run the spread offense like Illinois did, and they do a lot of stuff that we do.”
Carrier rushed for 2,117 yards on 271 attempts and scored 35 touchdowns in helping lead Pearland to the Class 5A state quarterfinals this season. He also caught 10 passes for 105 yards.
Carrier gained more than 4,000 yards rushing in two years as a starter and one year backing up current University of Texas running back Foswhitt Whittaker.
“I felt like New Mexico was the only coaching staff that was completely honest with me, and wanted me to come to their school,” Carrier said. “Coach Locksley said I could come in and compete for a starting spot right away. Depending on how that works out will determine whether I redshirt or not.”
Carrier also considered Kansas State, Southern Mississippi, Texas Southern and Oregon State.
“After meeting with the coaching staff, seeing the facilities and meeting with the players, New Mexico was the best fit for me,” Carrier said. “They run basically the same offense as we did at Pearland so it should be a good opportunity for me.”
Heath believes Carrier will adapt quickly to the Lobo offense.
“Coach Locksley liked Kasey because of his movement, and the way he stays behind his offensive lineman until he finds a hole. New Mexico also wants kids from winning programs.
“Because our offenses are similar, they felt Kasey would need very little teaching, and they said he has a great chance of playing for them next year.”
Heath said the possibility of Carrier and Stewart meeting on the football field next year is intriguing.
“That would be neat to see Kasey and Stew hitting it up against each other,” Heath said. “That’s a great conference with TCU, BYU and Utah in there. I know both Kasey and Jarrad are real excited about it.”
Stewart said he’ll finally get the opportunity to try to tackle Carrier.
“He’s going to have to run around me – I don’t think he can run through me,” Stewart said. “It’s going to be a nice battle. We never got to hit each other in practice, but now we get a chance to go at it.”
Stewart said Utah’s success this past season has stirred his excitement for the coming fall campaign.
“It makes me feel great to see what they did this year – unbeaten and No. 2 in the nation,” Stewart said. “I’m glad to be going there. Most likely I’ll be playing strong safety and wherever they decide to use me on special teams.”
Two other former Oilers – Whittaker and Oklahoma’s Sam Proctor – went head-to-head this past season in Dallas.
Stewart was recently named the Touchdown Club of Houston’s defensive player of the year.
Pearland High School has also been nominated for the Sportsmanship Award that was to be presented Wednesday by the Touchdown Club.
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