Carter Brothers Make Important Contributions For JMU

HARRISONBURG — Robert Carter Jr. could have called it quits for the year.

No one would have blamed him.

“I had blood going all through my leg and I had to get immediate surgery the next morning,” the James Madison junior special teams standout said after the Dukes knocked off South Dakota State 51-16 in the FCS semifinal.

During the week leading into the Dukes’ Sept. 16 game against Norfolk State, Carter suffered what he said was the first major injury of his football career.

Entering the season, he was the preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association team choice as a special teams player. Last year and this year, JMU has used the Baltimore native on the kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return units.

“I tore my quad in practice and it was this big contusion,” Carter said. “It swelled up and it was crazy.”

He admitted he was nervous as he went in for surgery at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville.

“It shocked me a little bit, but once I had surgery, I took it and used the process,” he said. “I talked to my teammates and they gave me a lot of support. My family, friends and that’s all it was.

“I took the time and reflected on my career, but it was a shock and you realize that it could end at any moment, so ever since then I’ve been trying to get back to where I was.”

Because the injury occurred so early in the season and he had only played in two games, Carter likely would’ve been awarded a medical-hardship waiver if he wanted to sit out the rest of this year to get healthy and gain an extra year of eligibility.

Another year at JMU would’ve meant another season with his younger brother, Ron’Dell Carter, a sophomore defensive lineman, who transferred to the school from Rutgers this past offseason.

“I wanted to be part of this team,” Robert Carter Jr. said. “I wanted to contribute as much as I could. I know my role on this team and I wanted to do my role as best as possible, so honestly I was in the training room every day, three times a day, working with [team trainers] Alex Medina and Jeronimo Boche all the time, doing my different exercises and just was working.

“And as soon as I had the opportunity to get back on the field, I took it. I could’ve took my redshirt, but I was like, ‘Might as well help this team get back to Frisco, [Texas].’”

Now Robert Carter Jr., who recovered a blocked punt and recorded two tackles in last year’s national title win over Youngstown State, will help the Dukes defend their championship on Jan. 6 against North Dakota State in Texas.

After an exhaustive rehab process, Carter rejoined JMU for the rivalry game against Richmond on Nov. 11.

Each week since returning, he said he’s tried to play his special teams role to perfection. He made a tackle against South Dakota State and two in the quarterfinal against Weber State.

As for his brother, Ron’Dell, he said Robert’s strong special teams play has rubbed off on him. Ron’Dell Carter fills an important role on a punt as punter Harry O’Kelly’s personal protector and JMU coach Mike Houston said Carter had a key block on junior Marcus Marshall’s 38-yard kick return against the Jackrabbits.

Marshall’s return put the offense in good field position, setting up a score for the Dukes in the final minute before halftime to push the lead from a four-point edge to an 11-point advantage.

“On that particular kick return that we did, I had to make a good block,” Carter said. “I didn’t think it was as good of a block as I’ve wanted it to be, but [special teams coordinator Roy] Tesh told me it was a good block because I made a hole for Marcus, but I wanted to set the tone on that block.

“That’s what I was hoping for, but Coach Tesh said it was good and he’s the head guy on that, so I’m taking it.”

Playing mostly defensive end but occasionally defensive tackle, Ron’Dell Carter has racked up 27 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks in what he called the season he “hoped for” in his first year at JMU.

“Words can’t explain it and I’m being honest,” Carter said. “Last year I wouldn’t expect to be standing here talking about that I’m playing on an amazing defense and just helping contribute.

“I want to contribute in any way possible. Being the shield on punt, I’ll do that. Blocking on kickoff return, I’ll do that. Being the shield on field goal, I’ll do that. If you ask me to go to three-technique, I’ll do it. I just wanted to contribute. That was a big goal for me.

“When I was out there looking at the banners and looking at the confetti and ribbons coming down, I was like ‘We’re really about to go to the national championship.’”