High school football: Tulsa East Central's Kimmie Carson continuing to grow into linebacker position

Then-coach Travis Hill trusted the youngster with the position even though he had been playing defensive end to that point.

“It was a natural move for me,” Carson said. “It wasn't hard at all. Coach Hill just told me to read the fullback and go get it and that's what I did. I had a great game.”

Carson played a big part in the Cardinals' 30-8 win over Skiatook in the opener, then helped East Central advance to the Class 5A title game.

Now, nearly two years later, Carson is widely considered the top linebacker in the state and comes in at No. 10 on The Oklahoman's Super 30 list of the state's top recruits.

“He's just such a raw talent,” first-year East Central coach Bobby Klinck said. “The thing about him is he loves contact. He's a fast player, he's just extremely raw right now.”

Klinck said he expected Carson to grow in the position as the season goes on.

Carson is receiving a good amount of recruiting attention already. He has offers from New Mexico and South Dakota and conditional offers from Oregon State, Washington State and Arkansas State.

He hopes to turn one of those conditional offers, Arkansas State, into a full offer later this month when he travels to Jonesboro, Ark., where Red Wolves head coach Gus Malzahn will take a look at Carson.

A day earlier, he'll be across the state in Fayetteville at the University of Arkansas.