Mario Carter enjoys visit to Raleigh

Charlotte (N.C.) Independence tight end Mario Carter was one of dozens of players making the trip to North Carolina State this past weekend. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder was impressed with the Wolfpack and appears to have them leading at this time.

"I've got three offers right now from Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina State," he said. "I'd say the NC State offer sticks out because they run the same system we do at Independence. I like that a lot. I'm still wide open though.

"The visit over the weekend was good. I talked to the coaches, went around the facilities and met Tom O'Brien. He talked to me about how their tight ends work in the program and plays they run in which they block and catch. I liked how they use the tight end. Coach O'Brien also stressed academics which was important. Overall it was a good trip."

Coming up, Carter plans to take in the Shrine Bowl combine.

Last season the junior tight end hauled in 32 receptions for 309 yards and six touchdowns on his way to all-conference honors.