MICDS linebacker Carter Enyard is No. 14 on the 2023 Post-Dispatch Super 30 preseason football recruiting countdown. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound senior has committed to Kent State. He had a team-leading seven sacks last season in addition to 67 tackles and two interceptions. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
MICDS tight end/linebacker Carter Enyard runs receiving drills on Friday, July 28, 2023, during morning practice at the campus in Ladue. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
Carter Enyard knew what he wanted on the football field when he entered the halls of MICDS four years ago.
“Going into my freshman year, I was going in to play quarterback,†he said. “That was my position.â€
There was just one small problem.
“I went in and we had Reagan Andrew, a four-year starter. He was a dude,†Enyard said. “So obviously I realized if I wanted to get on the field quickly, I would have to change it up. After moving around a little bit, I found linebacker and I’ve been a three-year starter ever since then.â€
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Enyard, the No. 14 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects, has indeed found a home as one of the area’s top linebackers.
“When I think about Carter, I just think it’s that versatility and upside of not having a downside,†MICDS coach Fred Bouchard said. “He’s just a Tasmanian Devil. Relentless, ferocious, instinctive. The kind of reckless abandon you want from the defensive side.â€
It was the same kind of mentality Enyard had in his early days as a signal caller.
“When I played quarterback, I would analyze because I’m a thinker, but I was also aggressive and I would always try to run through guys,†he said. “So going into linebacker actually wasn’t that much different because you’re also commanding and calling out, being sort of a general on the field.â€
Enyard recorded 67 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions last fall for an 11-2 Rams team that reached the Class 5 quarterfinals and has compiled a 30-4 overall record the last three seasons.
“Carter is the guy that allows us to run a 3-4 on defense because he can step out and cover high school slot backs. He runs really well for a guy that’s about 6-2, 220,†Bouchard said. “He had two interceptions a year ago, but he also had a number of knockdown passes. He’s also a pretty ferocious pass rusher off the edge and led our team in sacks last year. He’s got a unique skillset and one of the reasons why colleges coveted him.â€
Enyard held offers from UNLV, Western Illinois, Bucknell and Northwest Missouri State, but it was Kent State that ultimately won him over.
“It just had such a family atmosphere and it felt like a true brotherhood,†he said. “All the players spoke so highly of Coach (Kenni) Burns and all the other coaches. I felt like I fit right in with all the guys. With what they want to do with me, I think it gives me an opportunity to compete for playing time really early.â€
Before he heads to Ohio, though, Enyard will have a chance to return to his roots on the offensive side of the ball as a tight end for MICDS this season.
“We’re excited about that. My first year (2020), our tight ends were Will Kacmarek and Jalen Pace, and Jalen’s at Ohio State and Will’s at Ohio University. Both of them were defensive starters also, so it’s kind of a return to that where we can use those guys on the other side of the ball,†Bouchard said. “I just don’t think we’re gonna take a lot of steps back when you have an individual and caliber of athlete you’re bringing over and using some of the time on the other side of the ball. He doesn’t have to be the anchor of the offense. We have other people that can do that. But he will be highly effective at it and do a good job.â€
Enyard is looking forward to making his mark on that side of the ball as well.
“I’ve always kind of bugged Coach Bouchard about giving me some time on the offensive side and play both ways,†Enyard said. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m gonna make the most of it.â€
Top high school football players: The Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown 2023-24
Eureka senior left tackle Jack Lange is the No. 5 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown. The 6-foot-9, 295-pound Lange has verbally …
MICDS linebacker Carter Enyard is No. 14 on the 2023 Post-Dispatch Super 30 preseason football recruiting countdown. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound senior has committed to Kent State. He had a team-leading seven sacks last season in addition to 67 tackles and two interceptions. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
MICDS' Carter Enyard (4) tries to chase down Cape Central's Marshon Edwards in a Missouri Class 5 quarterfinal football game on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at MICDS in Ladue, Mo. Benjamen Loewnau, Special to
MICDS tight end/linebacker Carter Enyard listens as receivers coach Ray Barnes instructs on Friday, July 28, 2023, while running receiving drills during morning practice at the campus in Ladue. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
MICDS tight end/linebacker Carter Enyard runs receiving drills on Friday, July 28, 2023, during morning practice at the campus in Ladue. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com