I never watch the film of recruits outside of Stephen Johnson II that was my first in a long time. I do not know enough to make a real evaluation and I am assuming that holds true for at least 90% of the fans on here. Although I am sure few of them are willing to admit that. I stopped watching film after watching the great Hunter McClintock debate a few years ago, he looked GREAT on film too. I leave it to the coaches and those few posters who actually know something about this.
BRAVO! I appreciate that honesty. FWIW, I tend to look at film only from an occasional curiosity standpoint. Why? Well, because these 5 minute film clips are HIGHLIGHT films. Way back in the day I suppose I too could have had a 5 minute highlight film. [roll]
If you are "evaluating" 2,000 players nationally as does Rivals you are first faced with establishing common standards for comparisons (i.e., ratings) among players. I'm just not sure how they can do that as, notwithstanding camp participation by some players, they are reviewing and evaluating based upon such highlight films. OTOH, while coaches may use highlight film as an initial screening device, I can assure they look at much more than highlight film. And that is one of the reasons why I place as much value on "offers" as I do "ratings".
However, 11th hour offers are always dictated by the recruiting circumstances at the time. Unless benefiting from a late flip, 11th hour recruiting is almost always about filling a recruiting opening with the best remaining option...which is seldom a "solid" recruit if viewed from a September perspective.
I have no idea about how good is Johnson (but his offer list is "weak"). However, I do know that UK desperately needed at least 1 more QB on the 2016 roster and Johnson was most likely their best option at this point. So that, in and of itself, makes it a good get regardless of "how good" is Johnson.
I watched the highlight clip of Carter posted in this thread and did just a tiny bit of research. The one thing you see about Carter is good defensive foot speed. But what we don't know is who he is playing against. Whitefield is Christian based pre-K to HS private school of ~800 students total, about 250 in the 9-12 HS. HS tuition is about $21K/year. Their football team was 2-8 in 2015 and appeared to play a schedule of similar type schools. I have no idea of what class they may play in as far as GA HS athletics go but I would have to assume either the smallest (or possibly "independent"). I would make a guess here that his school kept him under the radar.
Peace