First two offers for Carr

South Bend (Ind.) Clay offensive tackle Shakir Carr was one of the top performers at the Rivals.com/VTO Elite 100 Showcase in Cincinnati earlier this month. Just over a week later the 6-foot-5, 275-pound prospect has his first two scholarship offers.

"The offensive line coach from Ball State called me and he told me they were going to offer me a scholarship on Monday," Carr said. "I know I worked with their offensive line coach before, so that's probably one of the reasons [they offered].

"Then, [Wednesday], my coach told me Central Michigan was going to offer me a scholarship, I just needed to call the coaches. I got to talk to Coach [Dan] Enos and Coach Kirby Cannon, the defensive backs coach, and they ended up offering me. They said they really liked my highlight video. They said I was fast, could move well and would be good for their offensive line."

Carr has been receiving college attention consistently since the end of his junior season, and is relieved to have his first offers in hand.

"I have been smiling for the last two days," he said. "It's pretty exciting."

The offers from Ball State and Central Michigan likely will not be the last for Carr. He has seen strong interest from several more schools during the Spring Evaluation Period.

"I met the Purdue recruiter at my school on Tuesday," Carr said. "The Minnesota defensive line coach came to our school and watched my track meet. I think they just wanted to get an eyeball test on me, just to see if I am what I look like on the sites."

Carr has visited several schools in recent months, but has no trips scheduled for the near future. He does plan to start setting more trips for the summer.

"I want to get down to Indiana first," Carr said. "They have sent me a couple letters just saying they are interested."