Cali LB picks up second offer

The word is getting out on linebacker Donovan Carter from Lake Balboa (Calif.) Birmingham. There have been many colleges that have already been by Birmingham this spring to see Carter and there are many more on the way to check him out. He received an offer from San Diego State earlier in the process, but his offer from yesterday has him stoked.

Yesterday UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell was on the Birmingham campus and tendered offers to Carter, and running back Milton Knox.

"I'm fired up and I'm thinking about committing," Carter said. "I have high interest in UCLA now.

"I would like to talk to Coach Dorrell a little bit more and linebacker coach Chuck Bullough," Carter said. "I already know all about UCLA and their academic reputation.

Dorrell's appearance on campus made an impact on the athletes.

"It was good that Coach Dorrell came on campus himself," Birmingham coach Ed Croson said. "It meant a lot to the kids to see him at our school."

Though Carter is excited about his latest offer. He still has some details to take care before he makes his decision.

"Before making a commitment I need to talk to my family about it," Carter said. "I'm definitely going to commit to whatever school I choose by summer, probably July or August by the latest."

"Oregon was by on Tuesday and talked to me and tight end Mychal Rivera," Carter said. "Oregon offered Mychal.

"USC is scheduled to come by the school next week," Carter said. "I grew up a fan of both UCLA and USC. I have family that went to both schools.

Why is Carter getting all this attention?

"Donovan has great size and speed," Croson said. "He's a great athlete. He played a new position for us at linebacker and he dominated.

"Donovan is a great kid," Croson said. "He's has a great sense of humor and all the kids like him. He's special on and off the field."

Carter earned first-team all-city, first-team all-city and first-team all-league as a junior after accounting for 128 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pick that he returned 60-plus yards for a touchdown in the quarter-final against Los Angeles (Calif.) Locke.