Carter Smith

Athlete Bio

I am a nationally and state-ranked specialist with Kohl’s Kicking, competing at the premier level in both football and soccer. My goal is to bring my elite leg talent, high-pressure accuracy, and relentless work ethic to a competitive college football program. To prove my ranking, I consistently travel to Kohl's national showcase events to compete against the best talent in the country.

To ensure my technique translates seamlessly to the college level, I take private technical lessons from former Pro Bowl NFL kicker Shayne Graham (15-year NFL veteran). Working directly with an NFL veteran and former D1 special teams coach has refined my mechanical consistency, mental approach, and situational discipline.

To complement this elite technical training, I train multiple times a week with my strength coach, Aidan Boyd (SPT, CSCS), at IMPACT Fitness + Wellness in Grand Rapids. As a former kicker, Aidan designs specialized strength, flexibility, and core-stability programs that target the exact muscle groups needed for explosive kicking power and injury prevention.

Beyond football, I play premier-level soccer for PASS. This background gives me the explosive hip rotation, foot speed, and field vision that directly complement my training with Coach Graham and Aidan. I love the pressure of being a specialist. I train every day to ensure my team can count on me when the game is on the line.

Character & Work Ethic

College coaches will get a player who is disciplined, mature, and completely self-motivated. I know what it takes to balance high-level commitments, and I prove it daily by:

• Managing Two Jobs: I hold down two separate jobs while maintaining a demanding year-round training and academic schedule, proving my elite time-management skills.
• Giving Back: I volunteer my time coaching and mentoring youth football players in my community, helping the next generation fall in love with the game.
• Pushing My Limits: Whether I am pushing through a workout at IMPACT Fitness, fine-tuning film, studying automotive mechanics, or spending my summers jet skiing and four-wheeling at Torch Lake, I attack everything I do with 100% effort.

I am looking for a college program that will challenge me athletically and academically. I am ready to do whatever it takes to help my future team win.

Awards & Honors

• Top 100 National Kicker 2025 (1st time kicking)
• 96% XP 2025

Academics