The larger the school, the harder it is to stand out in multiple phases. Carpenter managed it pretty definitively at 4A Clinton last season. The junior rushed for 797 yards (5.4 YPC) and seven touchdowns, and collected 50.0 tackles, 26 of which were solo stops. He picked off a pass and added a pass defended. The versatility, speed and athleticism pop off of his 11th-grade highlight video. The running back film is interesting. With a projectable frame that can add mass and strength, Carpenter already finishes runs through contact and will outrace defenders in the open field. Good instincts and burst get him downhill in a hurry at linebacker, where he’s a sure tackler. Carpenter will be a special teams’ asset on the next level.

The straw that stirs the drink for Clinton on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Ethan Carpenter Ethan Carpenter 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH Clinton | 2027 IA is the engine that makes the River Kings offense go. A hard-runner that isn’t afraid of contact, Carpenter took 24 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns on Thursday night against the Washington defense. He also caught a touchdown pass, scoring almost all of Clinton’s points aside from PATs.

Carpenter will dish out punishment as a runner, and he can make would-be tacklers miss with his quickness.