Carter Coughlin, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound linebacker from Eden Prairie, is one of five in-state products from the Class of 2016 to have already received a scholarship from the home state school.
Carter Coughlin, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound linebacker from Eden Prairie, is one of five in-state products from the Class of 2016 to have already received a scholarship from the home state school. Coughlin helped lead the number one ranked Eagles to undefeated record this season.
Gopher Hole recently caught up with Coughlin to learn the latest on his recruitment and winning another championship at Eden Prairie.
Gopher Hole: Since the last time I talked to you, you have won the state football title. What was the feeling winning another state championship?
Carter Coughlin: Every time, it is still incredible. That was about as intense a game as you could possibly get, with the clock winding down and they were going for two. It was an incredible experience
Gopher Hole: Have you seen a replay of the two-point conversion much? It was about as close as you can get.
Carter Coughlin: It was nuts. A couple of us got to talk on the radio today and before we went on they just played that play from the radio perspective. It just gave me chills listening to that again.
Gopher Hole: How did this title compare to last year’s for you personally?
Carter Coughlin: Last year, we had beat that team by two touchdowns or so, where this year, we came behind by a large deficit to a really, really good team, so from that perspective, it was way more intense than last year’s was.
Gopher Hole: Have you even started talking about next year yet?
Carter Coughlin: We have Totino-Grace the first game next year, so Coach Grant always jokes about that he has already started preparing for them.
Gopher Hole: Is it hard to get back into the basketball mode?
Carter Coughlin: Yes, it is as you can tell by my three fouls in 30 seconds, but I am slowly getting back.
Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to right now?
Carter Coughlin: I think that I have six or seven. Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin. Michigan State just offered me. Pitt and Oregon.
Gopher Hole: Anything you might do during winter break or would you wait until next year?
Carter Coughlin: I want to visit those two schools, for sure, this winter.
Gopher Hole: The Gophers had a very good season this year. What were your impressions of how they finished this season?
Carter Coughlin: It definitely says something when Coach Kill earns the Coach of the Year Award in the Big Ten. They have had an amazing year and they are taking huge strides in the program.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, you have a lot of connections there with your family. Do they ever say “You’d look good in Maroon and Gold” or do they try not to say too much?
Carter Coughlin: My grandpa always tries to push me to the Gophers and says that I don’t have any other choice, but my parents are really supportive of whatever I choose.
Gopher Hole: What would it mean to play at the same school as your other relatives have played?
Carter Coughlin: My parents would love that because they would be at every game. My extended family has season tickets because my grandpa buys them for everybody, so from that perspective, it would be really cool to play for the Gophers. They would really like it.