Shyheim Carter

(Graphic by Justin King/jking@al.com)

Ole Miss already had two of the top four players in this year's recruiting class -- five-star quarterback Shea Patterson and five-star offensive tackle Greg Little.

That was part of the Rebels' pitch to Shyheim Carter during the buildup to National Signing Day: You can complete the Big Three and give our class three headliners like we had in 2013 with Robert Nkemdiche, Laremy Tunsil and Laquon Treadwell.

Ole Miss coaches told Carter, a four-star cornerback, that he was one of the players they coveted the most in this year's class.

But Carter chose Alabama, and at least some people inside the Tide program believe the 6-foot, 190-pound Louisiana native could be the 2016 version of Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Why's that significant? Fitzpatrick beat out multiple veterans for Alabama's nickel back job as a freshman last year and went on to establish himself as one of the SEC's top young defensive backs.

Tide All-American safety Eddie Jackson was asked recently which Alabama freshmen have made the biggest impression during the team's summer workouts. He mentioned three. The first two: Carter and fellow freshman defensive back Aaron Robinson.

"They can take the coaching, and they come in and compete," Jackson said. "They play fast. If they make a mistake, you come tell them about it and coach them up. They do it right the next time."

Dynamic and versatile

This is the former "Marcus Mariota of Louisiana high school football."

Carter's high school coach, Jonathan Foster, began calling him that leading into Carter's senior season last fall.

Carter was that good as a quarterback. The two-time Louisiana Class 1A Offensive MVP threw for 2,443 yards, ran for 1,648 yards and accounted for 30 offensive touchdowns as a senior while also posting 57 tackles and five interceptions on defense.

A good Carter story?

He suffered a torn meniscus one day before his team, Kentwood, faced two-time defending state champion Haynesville in the state championship game last season.

Carter couldn't run, but he insisted on playing and told Foster before the game, "I'll give you whatever I've got." The result? Carter threw for 235 yards and four touchdowns in leading Kentwood to a 40-7 win.

While there were likely teams interested in Carter as a quarterback, running back or wide receiver, he decided early in high school that he wanted to play defensive back in college.

Alabama was the first SEC school to offer Carter a scholarship, extending the offer after Carter impressed at a Tide camp in June 2014.

Carter committed to Alabama a month later. He decommitted last August before eventually re-pledging to the Tide on National Signing Day in February.

"We've had (him) in camp here for a couple years," coach Nick Saban said. "We really know him well. Great person. Very smart. Good athlete. ... Probably could play corner or safety. Either one."

Making an early impression

A great compliment for Carter? There are at least some around the Alabama program comparing him to Fitzpatrick because of some Fitzpatrick-like characteristics that have been on display this summer. In addition to obvious physical ability, Carter, the father of two young children, has impressed people inside the program with his maturity, work ethic and ability to learn quickly.

It's why there's a growing belief internally that Carter will be a significant factor in the competition to be the Tide's nickel back, the spot Fitzpatrick thrived at as a freshman last year.

"He's a humble kid and a smart kid, and I'm not just saying that because I'm his coach," Foster said. "And you'll see. He's not going to let the hype get to him. Even if he comes in as a freshman playing in the SEC, a lot of kids would let that get to their head, but Shyheim's going to stay grounded. I guarantee you."

After playing both safety and cornerback in high school, Carter has played both spots this summer with Alabama, though he has worked primarily at free safety during the team's 7-on-7 sessions in recent weeks.

At free safety, Carter had a standout moment during a recent 7-on-7.

It was Carter vs. Tide star wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

Ridley ran a deep post down the middle of the field. Carter had to pick him up and stick with him. A lot of defensive backs would get embarrassed in that situation. Ridley, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds during the spring, is one of Alabama's fastest players and probably one of the faster wide receivers in the country. But Carter kept up with Ridley, remaining close as Ridley worked down the field. The tight coverage contributed to a pass for Ridley being off-target and falling incomplete.

"He really thinks he can contribute this year," Carter's high school offensive coordinator, Cornelius Blount, said. "Redshirting hasn't even crossed his mind. He really thinks he can come in and help the Alabama defense. He really does."