Q&A With Ryan Carter

Note: The following appears in the Troy gameday football program. To purchase a copy of the program while supplies last, send a check for $6 to Clemson Athletic Communications; P.O. Box 31; Clemson, SC 29633 with your return address.

Q. What compelled you to become a Tiger?A. When I first came and visited, I got to meet coach (Dabo) Swinney, and the whole atmosphere was very welcoming.

Q. How have you improved since the beginning of your college career?A. The main things that I’ve learned are how to pay attention to detail and understand what my main purpose is on the field.

Q. As a veteran, what do you think you can offer your fellow defensive backs in terms of leadership this season?A. I can be more vocal and teach them things that I might not have known two years ago.

Q. What is it like going up against such a stellar receiving corps in practice?A. It makes me better. There’s nobody in the country that we’ll play that has an overall better receiving group.

Q. What has it been like playing for defensive backs coach Mike Reed?A. He’s a real technician who demands perfection. I’ve learned a lot from him.

Q. How has senior defensive assistant Mickey Conn impacted your life?A. Coach Conn has done so much for me as a player. When I was in high school, I transferred to Grayson High School, and he welcomed me with open arms and told me I was good enough to play at the Division I level.

Q. How is your relationship with your former high school teammate, Wayne Gallman?A. We always push each other to be great. We hang out when we can and we’re always talking about football.

Q. How did playing wide receiver in high school impact your play in the secondary?A. It impacted my understanding of how the receiver tries to create separation off the ball.

Q. Who was your childhood football idol?A. Reggie Bush. I wore #5 when I was younger and played running back.

Q. What current NFL players resemble your style of play the most?A. Smaller, versatile defensive backs, such as Brent Grimes, Lamarcus Joyner and Tyrann Mathieu.

FAVORITESActor – Johnny DeppAthlete – Kobe BryantClass – Public speakingClemson tradition – Running down the HillFood – LasagnaMovie – The Dark KnightMusician – DrakeNFL player – Tyrann MathieuRestaurant in Clemson – Loose ChangeSport other than football – BasketballTelevision show – The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirUniform color combination – All purple