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Q&A Kicker Emmit Carpenter Commits to Gophers, Excited to Join Neighbor Peter Mortell
Q&A: Kicker Emmit Carpenter Commits to Gophers, Excited to Join Neighbor Peter Mortell at U
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/343234?referrer_id=388419
Emmit Carpenter, a 6-1, 195-pound senior kicker from Ashwaubenon (WI) High, has become the latest player to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Minnesota Golden Gopher football team.
Gopher Hole caught up with Carpenter Sunday evening to learn the latest on his decision.
Gopher Hole: When did you make the decision to commit to Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: I decide Friday night. That was when I let the coaching staff at Minnesota know that is where I wanted to go to school and play football.
Gopher Hole: Have you taken an official visit to Minnesota yet?
Emmit Carpenter: No. I have not taken an official visit there. I went to camp there this summer and that is kind of how I got on their radar. I went to a game visit this fall for the homecoming game against Iowa and I'll be taking an official visit there this upcoming weekend.
Gopher Hole: What other schools were you considering besides Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: My final decision came down to Minnesota and Illinois State.
Gopher Hole: Had Illinois State offered you a scholarship? I know that it is a little different with kickers.
Emmit Carpenter: They had offered me a partial scholarship.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many college football games this fall?
Emmit Carpenter: I went on three or four different college game visits this fall. I got to experience a few game days and I can say that Minnesota's was probably my favorite one out of the experiences.
Gopher Hole: Where else did you get a chance to go?
Emmit Carpenter: I went to Illinois State, Minnesota and Indiana.
Gopher Hole: Were you able to make many camps this summer besides Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: I had a busy camp season this summer. I traveled all over the country, going to bunch of D1, FCS and FBS programs, so it was a really fun summer and I am really happy and fortunate that I had a great day at Minnesota and got on their radar and kind of started the process that way.
Gopher Hole: What so you see as your strengths as a kicker?
Emmit Carpenter: I would say that my leg strength is probably my strength as a kicker. I really enjoy kicking off and I am pretty good at long field goals.
Gopher Hole: Did you kick and punt in high school?
Emmit Carpenter: No, I did not. I was gunner on our punt team and I also returned kicks and punts and played defensive back and wide receiver.
Gopher Hole: Not too many kickers can say that they do all that?
Emmit Carpenter: No. I was honorable mention All-State kicker and I was an All-Conference kick returner as well.
Gopher Hole: When you get to college, you are going to focus on just kicking, but did you like being a player who not only was a kicker, but as a player who played offense, defense and special teams? Did you like being a versatile player?
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. I loved doing that in high school. It was really fun being a big part of the team in all aspects of play and to be a part of that, but I am really looking forward to just kicking in college and focusing on that.
Gopher Hole: I know that you had a really good season, finishing 10-1 and advancing to the third level of the playoffs. How pleased were you with your senior season?
Emmit Carpenter: I couldn't have been any happier with my high school team, It was a really fun year and we had a great group of guys on the team. We really came together and found a way to pull some wins out throughout the year and winning conference was a great memory that I will have for the rest of my life It was a really, really great high school experience.
Gopher Hole: The Gophers' kicker this past season, Chris Hawthorne, was a senior this season. Is that something that appealed to you? Did you look at what they had available for kickers when you made your decision?
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. I did look at the current roster and all that a little bit, but the main things that helped me pull the trigger on Minnesota was just the fact that I will get an outstanding education there and it is an incredible coaching staff and there are great facilities and it is just a great football program, so I am just very happy to be part of the team.
Gopher Hole: What impact does having your neighbor from across the street, Peter Mortell, being on the team have?
Emmit Carpenter: I mean it obviously sparked a little bit of interest on my behalf and made me look at the school. Peter, I think the most that he really did for me in the recruiting process was he gave me one of the coaches' phone numbers to give a call and from there, the rest was in my hands. Recruiting and having a good senior season and having a good camp while I was there this summer.
Gopher Hole: Did you talk to him much during the recruiting process?
Emmit Carpenter: I have a few times over the past weeks, but otherwise, Peter and I talk once every few weeks or once a month or so. We always get together when he is back in Green Bay, too.
Gopher Hole: He is a little bit similar to you. He was a walk-on at Minnesota who earned a starting spot this year and now is on a scholarship/ Is that something you would like to emulate?
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. Peter had an outstanding year and he definitely earned his scholarship. Her is a fantastic punter. It just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. That is something that interests me a lot.
Gopher Hole: Have the Gophers talked to you much about what role you might have, even possibly as a freshman with the team? Obviously, they are looking for a new starting kicker.
Emmit Carpenter: No. We haven't crossed that bridge yet with talking about plans for next year. With me just committing yesterday, it is still really fresh. I am sure that more details will surface later on, but like I said before, I am just really, really excited and happy to be a part of the team.
Gopher Hole: With you and Peter being neighbors, was there are a lot of footballs going back and forth back then?
Emmit Carpenter: Oh, yes. Way back in the day, I think that Peter could count on me knocking on their door to come and play catch and play football just about every single day. We did a lot of neighborhood football games together with all the neighborhood kids and it is funny how it works that we will be teammates.
Gopher Hole: You were a member of the Kohl's Football Kicking Camps and Peter was too. How much do you think that experience has helped you as a kicker?
Emmit Carpenter: Going to all the Kohl's camps was a huge defining part in my career as a kicker. I learned a ton from Coach Kohl and his staff on mechanics and they definitely helped me define my skill and get better and better each time I saw them. Of course, getting my name out on their website and going to all their showcase camps and getting my rankings set, is definitely a big part of my kicking career getting to this point.
Gopher Hole: It has to be nice that they are a Wisconsin-based camp, right in your back yard.
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. It is really cool that they are out of, I believe, Waukesha. They really enjoy seeing local Wisconsin kids have success and I really enjoy every single chance I get to work with them. I am also very thankful for a kicking company called Hammer Kicking Academy that is based off the East Coast. I am also really thankful for him and the work that he has helped me get done and refine my skill.
Gopher Hole: Did they have a camp in your area or did you travel to a camp?
Emmit Carpenter: I traveled out to a camp and I will be going to a few other camps throughout this summer and spring. The guy who owns the company, his name is Adam Tanalski, and he is an absolutely fantastic coach who I have learned a lot from.
Gopher Hole: When are you planning on enrolling at Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: I think that I am definitely going to come to summer school and get ahead on all the credits and get the whole college experience rolling ahead of time.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought much about a possible college major?
Emmit Carpenter: I would like to major in business and get an undergrad in Criminal Justice and after my undergraduate, I'd like to go onto law school from there and practice law.
Gopher Hole: I don't know if they told you much, but Minnesota has one of the best law schools in the country. Is that another factor that appealed to you?
Emmit Carpenter: It is. The business school and the law school are both two things that really interested me because with me being very conscientious and focused on academics, I know that I definitely couldn't go wrong with getting an education at Minnesota.
Q&A: Kicker Emmit Carpenter Commits to Gophers, Excited to Join Neighbor Peter Mortell at U
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/343234?referrer_id=388419
Emmit Carpenter, a 6-1, 195-pound senior kicker from Ashwaubenon (WI) High, has become the latest player to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Minnesota Golden Gopher football team.
Gopher Hole caught up with Carpenter Sunday evening to learn the latest on his decision.
Gopher Hole: When did you make the decision to commit to Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: I decide Friday night. That was when I let the coaching staff at Minnesota know that is where I wanted to go to school and play football.
Gopher Hole: Have you taken an official visit to Minnesota yet?
Emmit Carpenter: No. I have not taken an official visit there. I went to camp there this summer and that is kind of how I got on their radar. I went to a game visit this fall for the homecoming game against Iowa and I'll be taking an official visit there this upcoming weekend.
Gopher Hole: What other schools were you considering besides Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: My final decision came down to Minnesota and Illinois State.
Gopher Hole: Had Illinois State offered you a scholarship? I know that it is a little different with kickers.
Emmit Carpenter: They had offered me a partial scholarship.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many college football games this fall?
Emmit Carpenter: I went on three or four different college game visits this fall. I got to experience a few game days and I can say that Minnesota's was probably my favorite one out of the experiences.
Gopher Hole: Where else did you get a chance to go?
Emmit Carpenter: I went to Illinois State, Minnesota and Indiana.
Gopher Hole: Were you able to make many camps this summer besides Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: I had a busy camp season this summer. I traveled all over the country, going to bunch of D1, FCS and FBS programs, so it was a really fun summer and I am really happy and fortunate that I had a great day at Minnesota and got on their radar and kind of started the process that way.
Gopher Hole: What so you see as your strengths as a kicker?
Emmit Carpenter: I would say that my leg strength is probably my strength as a kicker. I really enjoy kicking off and I am pretty good at long field goals.
Gopher Hole: Did you kick and punt in high school?
Emmit Carpenter: No, I did not. I was gunner on our punt team and I also returned kicks and punts and played defensive back and wide receiver.
Gopher Hole: Not too many kickers can say that they do all that?
Emmit Carpenter: No. I was honorable mention All-State kicker and I was an All-Conference kick returner as well.
Gopher Hole: When you get to college, you are going to focus on just kicking, but did you like being a player who not only was a kicker, but as a player who played offense, defense and special teams? Did you like being a versatile player?
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. I loved doing that in high school. It was really fun being a big part of the team in all aspects of play and to be a part of that, but I am really looking forward to just kicking in college and focusing on that.
Gopher Hole: I know that you had a really good season, finishing 10-1 and advancing to the third level of the playoffs. How pleased were you with your senior season?
Emmit Carpenter: I couldn't have been any happier with my high school team, It was a really fun year and we had a great group of guys on the team. We really came together and found a way to pull some wins out throughout the year and winning conference was a great memory that I will have for the rest of my life It was a really, really great high school experience.
Gopher Hole: The Gophers' kicker this past season, Chris Hawthorne, was a senior this season. Is that something that appealed to you? Did you look at what they had available for kickers when you made your decision?
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. I did look at the current roster and all that a little bit, but the main things that helped me pull the trigger on Minnesota was just the fact that I will get an outstanding education there and it is an incredible coaching staff and there are great facilities and it is just a great football program, so I am just very happy to be part of the team.
Gopher Hole: What impact does having your neighbor from across the street, Peter Mortell, being on the team have?
Emmit Carpenter: I mean it obviously sparked a little bit of interest on my behalf and made me look at the school. Peter, I think the most that he really did for me in the recruiting process was he gave me one of the coaches' phone numbers to give a call and from there, the rest was in my hands. Recruiting and having a good senior season and having a good camp while I was there this summer.
Gopher Hole: Did you talk to him much during the recruiting process?
Emmit Carpenter: I have a few times over the past weeks, but otherwise, Peter and I talk once every few weeks or once a month or so. We always get together when he is back in Green Bay, too.
Gopher Hole: He is a little bit similar to you. He was a walk-on at Minnesota who earned a starting spot this year and now is on a scholarship/ Is that something you would like to emulate?
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. Peter had an outstanding year and he definitely earned his scholarship. Her is a fantastic punter. It just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. That is something that interests me a lot.
Gopher Hole: Have the Gophers talked to you much about what role you might have, even possibly as a freshman with the team? Obviously, they are looking for a new starting kicker.
Emmit Carpenter: No. We haven't crossed that bridge yet with talking about plans for next year. With me just committing yesterday, it is still really fresh. I am sure that more details will surface later on, but like I said before, I am just really, really excited and happy to be a part of the team.
Gopher Hole: With you and Peter being neighbors, was there are a lot of footballs going back and forth back then?
Emmit Carpenter: Oh, yes. Way back in the day, I think that Peter could count on me knocking on their door to come and play catch and play football just about every single day. We did a lot of neighborhood football games together with all the neighborhood kids and it is funny how it works that we will be teammates.
Gopher Hole: You were a member of the Kohl's Football Kicking Camps and Peter was too. How much do you think that experience has helped you as a kicker?
Emmit Carpenter: Going to all the Kohl's camps was a huge defining part in my career as a kicker. I learned a ton from Coach Kohl and his staff on mechanics and they definitely helped me define my skill and get better and better each time I saw them. Of course, getting my name out on their website and going to all their showcase camps and getting my rankings set, is definitely a big part of my kicking career getting to this point.
Gopher Hole: It has to be nice that they are a Wisconsin-based camp, right in your back yard.
Emmit Carpenter: Yes. It is really cool that they are out of, I believe, Waukesha. They really enjoy seeing local Wisconsin kids have success and I really enjoy every single chance I get to work with them. I am also very thankful for a kicking company called Hammer Kicking Academy that is based off the East Coast. I am also really thankful for him and the work that he has helped me get done and refine my skill.
Gopher Hole: Did they have a camp in your area or did you travel to a camp?
Emmit Carpenter: I traveled out to a camp and I will be going to a few other camps throughout this summer and spring. The guy who owns the company, his name is Adam Tanalski, and he is an absolutely fantastic coach who I have learned a lot from.
Gopher Hole: When are you planning on enrolling at Minnesota?
Emmit Carpenter: I think that I am definitely going to come to summer school and get ahead on all the credits and get the whole college experience rolling ahead of time.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought much about a possible college major?
Emmit Carpenter: I would like to major in business and get an undergrad in Criminal Justice and after my undergraduate, I'd like to go onto law school from there and practice law.
Gopher Hole: I don't know if they told you much, but Minnesota has one of the best law schools in the country. Is that another factor that appealed to you?
Emmit Carpenter: It is. The business school and the law school are both two things that really interested me because with me being very conscientious and focused on academics, I know that I definitely couldn't go wrong with getting an education at Minnesota.