Three-star RB making the most of his chance

When Carlin Fils-Aime was five-years old, he boarded a plane from his native Haiti by himself, leaving his mother and friends behind for the United States. His father, who immigrated to the States years earlier, paid for Fils-Aime's plane ticket and was prepared to raise him in a world of new opportunity.

"I wasn't really scared," Fils-Aime said of the flight and leaving home. "I remember getting off the plane and seeing my father and running to him."

More than a decade later, Fils-Aime is making the most of his opportunity in the States, now playing football as a junior running back for Naples (Fla.). The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Fils-Aime is a three-star and holds seven offers from Power Five schools, including Georgia, North Carolina, Miami and Ohio State.

Fils-Aime doesn't have many memories from Haiti other than playing like a normal kid. He knew little English and spent his first few years here becoming fluent in the language. His father worked odd jobs to support the family and then in sixth grade, Fils-Aime began playing organized football.

"I always loved the game of football, even before that," Fils-Aime said. "We'd play backyard football growing up."

His skills must have translated to rec league, because he quickly became a noticeable talent. So much so, that he became part of club teams and travel teams and became fully involved in football.

However, his rise didn't come without adversity.

"Home life became more difficult," Fils-Aime said. "I started playing sports and my dad had to start working more and he couldn't find the time to drive me around to the different games."

With the schedule demands for Fils-Aime's football activities increasing along with his father's workload, the parents of one of Fils-Aime's friends since elementary school stepped up and offered assistance. The friend was Cooper Simmons, and his father was a Pop Warner coach.

The Simmons family took Fils-Aimes in, eventually adopting him. Now he and Simmons are teammates at Naples.

"I've been living with them for five years now," Fils-Aime said. "They've really helped a lot."

There were no hard feelings between he and his father over the adoption.

"He was fine with it," Fils-Aime said. "We still talk 3-4 times a week and he still comes to all my games when he can. We have a great relationship."

His dad works long hours, waking up at 5 a.m. and often coming home at 5 p.m. Seeing that work ethic and determination inspires Fils-Aime.

"I see him working hard and he never complains," Fils-Aime said. "He'll go to work early in the morning and come home from a long day, or sometimes his boss tells him to stay longer. No matter what, he always has a smile on his face and has always worked hard to provide for the family. Him being happy and always striving for success -- when I'm on the field, I don't want to let him down.

"So I work as hard as I can in practice so that I do well when the game comes."

Before the start of the season, he held just three offers. Now that his recruitment is taking off, he's trying not to become overwhelmed.

"I'm just trying to take everything in and not go too crazy," he said. "I could get caught up in everything and lose my mind, so I'm taking my time and thinking about it. That way when I do make my choice, I'll stick with it and I'll know that I made the right choice. I'll always have my parents with me and they'll back me up on anything."

Fils-Aime said Georgia and North Carolina are the teams showing him the most interest.

Bulldogs running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Bryan McClendon has struck up a strong relationship with Fils-Aime.

"I really like Coach McClendon," he said. "We just communicate about how the day is going, trying to get there and see the boys. They think I'm a good running back and if I go up there I could possibly make a name for myself."

At North Carolina, Fils-Aime is being recruited by Tar Heels running backs coach Larry Porter and assistant Jason Tudryn. The Tar Heels were the most recent school to offer, joining the mix two weeks ago.

"They're showing me more and more interest," he said. "I'm getting to know the coaches and stuff like that."

Fils-Aime is working out a way to see a Georgia game and is hoping to be in Athens on Nov. 15 for the Auburn game. He'd also like to attend a Miami game since it's closest to home, but isn't sure which one yet. He plans on taking most of his visits after the season.

He's not ready to name a favorite yet or start narrowing down his choices.

"I'm just weighing my options," he said.

What's drawing schools to Fils-Aime is his ability to act as either a speed or power back depending on the situation. He's good at finding the holes and breaking away, and he can also use his strength when he needs it.

At Naples, they run a veer offense and that's what he's most comfortable with so far.

"But I wouldn't mind doing what Georgia does," he said.

As of now, Fils-Aime is sidelined with an ankle injury suffered in the fourth game of the season but hopes to return before the playoffs start. Naples is 6-1.

Before the injury, Fils-Aime rushed for six touchdowns and roughly 400 yards in four games.