Recruiting: DB Tariq Carpenter Flips from UCF, is Commitment #21 for Georgia Tech

In the final few days before National Signing Day on Wednesday, Georgia Tech’s coaching staff has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on their 2017 recruiting class. The Jackets have added to their impressive recruiting class with the commitment of DB Tariq Carpenter, a big safety prospect out of Long County High School in Ludowici, GA.

Carpenter originally committed to UCF in April, but had hinted heavily at flipping since bigger offers began to roll in. He commits to Georgia Tech after an official visit to Miami the previous weekend, although he hadn’t received an offer yet from the Hurricanes. Carpenter also had a reported offer from N.C. State, and several Group of 5 schools such as Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky. Carpenter joins DL Antwan Owens as Georgia Tech’s second commitment to flip from Central Florida, and becomes the 6th defensive back in the Yellow Jackets’ recruiting class.

Carpenter has a huge frame. Various sites list him between 6’2” and 6’3”, and between 191 and 200 lbs. Carpenter also possesses long arms that will suit him well in a zone scheme. He has room to add more weight, and could become a massive safety. There is also a chance he could grow into a LB, depending on he adds weight and develops. Man coverage against tight ends should not be a problem for Carpenter.

Carpenter’s length and range are on full display in his senior highlights. His team trusts him to cover large portions of the field in both the run game and the pass game. Playing at the AAA level, Carpenter was often one of the biggest and fastest men on the field, and it showed. He punished runners when he arrived at the point of attack and was a dangerous threat as both a returner and a receiver. Carpenter was regularly used near the line of scrimmage to support the run as well. He excelled here, as he was nearly impossible to block in space.

All that upside is not without downside, as Carpenter is fairly raw. Tackling form needs to improve, and there wasn’t an abundance of coverage tape in his highlights. Carpenter plays largely a “center field” zone coverage role, and rarely, if ever, played man coverage. He’ll need to learn the coverage schemes and skills he’ll be using in college, which could make a redshirt year likely. Carpenter is also still growing into his frame, so a year to learn schemes and fill out his frame could help his development and help the coaches decide where they will play him long-term.

Carpenter is rated a two-star prospect by Rivals (5.4) and a three-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite (0.8182).

Carpenter’s commitment is the 21st in Georgia Tech’s 2017 recruiting class. The class now looks like this:

Welcome to the Flats, Tariq!