DeAndre Carter

DeAndre Carter has been a starter for national powerhouse Santa Ana (California) Mater Dei ever since his freshman season. In fact, his first start on varsity came against rival and nationally ranked St. John Bosco. He then went on to start wire-to-wire at left tackle for Mater Dei in 2021, leading the Monarchs to a No. 1 ranking in the country. He generated a lot of national attention that season when he dominated against Duncanville (Texas) High School, a roster that was loaded with blue-chip defensive linemen. Carter told the Valley News he has always had a big frame and wanted to play football since an early age. “My mom tells me of not being able to make the birthdate cut the first year – I wasn’t 5 yet – and being extremely disappointed,” he said. “But she made sure to take me back the following year.” Basketball was also a huge love for Carter growing up, where he even made his middle school team and was the MVP, plus an all-star. But football is his first love, and he owes a lot of his success to his parents, including his mom (Patty Carter). “She’s on him just as much as I am,” his father, Antoine Carter, said. “If we notice anything that can be perfected, she will let him know. She even knows his plays, which drives him crazy.”