JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – The process in turning around a program begins with the quality of players that are brought in each and every recruiting year. For Lincoln University head football coach Nate Cochran, he is beginning to get the chance to do just that in his first full season of recruiting. Having already added 27 newcomers, Lincoln added another integral piece with the signing of local product Aaron Carter this week.
“We were finally able to land an All-State prospect that is from this area,” Cochran said. “One of the main things I have been trying to improve since I took this job was to get more of the local kids to stay here in town and play for Lincoln.”
Carter, a 6-foot-3, 275 pound offensive and defensive lineman that played at Helias High School will be staying in his hometown to play at Lincoln.
“We wanted Aaron from the start,” Cochran said. “We began recruiting him during the year and to now have him in our program is huge for us.”
Carter played high-level high school ball at Helias, a team that has always made runs deep into the postseason, including the past two seasons in which the team reached the State Championship game.
“I wanted to stay close to home all along,” Carter said, who had some interest from a few Division I FCS teams, as well as being recruited by the NAIA national champions in Sioux Falls. “I want to be a part of the class that comes in and turns around Lincoln.”
Not only was it important for Carter to stay close to home, but with the players Lincoln has already added this season also helped in his decision.
“With the players Coach Cochran has already added, it showed me that he is on the right path to making this team good,” Carter said. “It helps getting the chance to play alongside the Division I transfers (Douglas Spacht and Cecil Frison), as you want to see how good you are compared to them and what you need to work on to be at that level.”
While Carter played both offensive and defensive line, he will be tabbed to play on the offensive line at Lincoln.
“He will have a chance to make an immediate impact,” Coachran said. “We are young on the offensive line, so that gives him a great chance to come in and help right away.”
Helias head football coach Chris Hentges knows all about what Carter can bring to the table having coached him the past few seasons.
“Aaron is really talented,” Hentges said. “He anchored both our offensive and defensive lines. He was All-State the past two years and has a ton of potential.”
Carter also brings above-average speed to the offensive line, something that doesn’t always happen at that position.
“Aaron has great athletic ability,” Hentges said. “We have clocked him before running a 4.85 in the 40.”
Cochran, along with Hentges, hope that with the latest signing, that it will become a trend for players wanting to stay home to play at Lincoln.
“I am really excited with the signing and I hope this will start a continued relationship with Coach Cochran,” Hentges said. “I have been very impressed with Coach Cochran, as I know I will try to help encourage kids to take a look at Lincoln.”
“This was also a big signing because of how deep in the community Aaron’s family is,” Cochran said. “Other players will now be able to see his name and they will recognize it, which is a big plus. Hopefully we can continue to add local players over the years to come.”