Lovsea Carroll, a 10th-grader of Warren County Schools, has received full-ride scholarship offers by six institutions, with more currently in talks with him. The University of Georgia, Samford University, University of Cincinnati, Tennessee University, Mississippi State, and the Army have reached out to the teen to recruit him to their football programs due to his skill in the game and his g.p.a., a 3.9.
"It hasn't hit me yet," said Carroll of the news.
However, Carroll said that it feels good to have his hard work finally pay off.
During off-season, Carroll participates in track but during the regular football season, he hypes up practice. Carroll plays running back and safety. For two hours everyday, he practices with his team. Then, he practices for an hour at home.
Carrol said that he likes playing running back the most. He said that the position offers more exposure and more chances to make wins.
As the games go, Carrol said they get easier. Everything starts opening up for him, he said. Carrol also pointed to his skill of play discernment as another reason why the game simplifies for him.
"I can read it. I can react to it," he said.
Carrol also spoke about his dedication to his fellow players.
"I have the team on my shoulder, and I don't want to let them down. So, I try my best," he said.
All the while Carrol works his way up in football, he keeps up with his studies. Carrol said he strives for greatness.
"I'm a hard working man," he said. "I don't give up on anything."
Though Carroll said he'd love to play in the NFL and dreams of playing for his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, he also said that he's planning other things as football doesn't last forever. Carroll said that he'd like to study engineering, particularly in the area of construction so that he can one day build a brick house for himself. Carroll said that he had an interest in the various buildings being put up around him as a child and had a knack for math, so he decided to marry the two.
For now, Carroll said that he plans to wait until senior year to decide which school he'll go to. He's visited two schools already and plans on visiting another during spring break.
In regards to achieving such offers at his age, Carroll said that his grades have pushed him ahead.
"School comes first because that's what they're going to look at," he said. "Don't think that just because you're playing football it doesn't matter. That's what separating me from every one else."
Carroll also expressed his hopes for himself and his town.
"I'm going to put them on the map," he said. " No matter how small the town is, if you want to achieve something, you can achieve it."
In 2018 Carroll had 1,446 rushing yards on 143 carries. That led him to 19 rushing TD's over a span of 10 games. Lovasea only had 4 receptions but all lead to touchdowns and 119 receiving yards.
On defense Carroll had 25 solo tackles and assisted on 30 more to give him 55 tackles for the season. Carroll is listed at 6ft.1in. and 180lbs. as a sophomore.
Lovasea Carroll was a big part of an historic rivalry game in 2018. For the first time in 47 years, the Warren County Screaming Devils defeated the Lincoln County Red Devils 28-21.