SMU signee Jamarion Carroll finishes as On3 4-star
SMU has an instant impact wide receiver coming in Wichita Falls (Tex.) Hirschi playmaker Jamarion Carroll. After his senior season, On3 moved him up to a 4-star prospect in the final rankings.
Carroll finishes as the No. 49 overall wideout and No. 58 overall prospect in Texas. He’s now the top-ranked SMU signee in the 2023 recruiting class, according to On3.
On3 loves how the 6-2, 195-pound prospect separates and improved dramatically in route running. His ability to win the jump balls and make big plays is apparent.
“Jamarion Carroll really grew during his senior season and showed us that he can be a true number one option at the next level,” On3 scouting and rankings assistant Cody Bellaire said. “His ability to separate from defenders at the line of scrimmage and set up his routes has really progressed since last season. Of course he has always had solid top-end speed and that was still fully on display this year. He is excellent with the ball in his hands and is tough to bring down in the open field.”
“Wish he was a bit more natural of a pass catcher, still lets the ball get to his chest more often than you’d like, but flashes the ability to come down with contested catches and reel in passes outside of his frame.”
After SMU lost Rashee Rice to the NFL, the Mustangs need a playmaker to step up at wide receiver. Carroll will throw his name into the mix this summer. There’s depth coming back, but he’s got the talent to produce.
“He has a chance to be an immediate contributor at the next level working as a slot or z-type receiver,” Bellaire said. “His role should continue to expand has he gains more and more confidence within the system and becomes a more trustworthy option in the passing game.”
SMU getting a freaky athlete in Jamarion Carroll
Carroll’s done special things during his career. He topped 1,000 yards as a junior and as a senior, had plenty of highlight reel moments.
“He’s super freaky athletic. Kind of a raw player,” SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods said. “I think he got into this season and his statistics were okay. They (opposing teams) spent a lot of time in that little league that he plays in, they’d just cover him all the time. He freed up other opportunities for other guys on the team. From the productivity standpoint, I don’t think it reflected how good of a player he really is.
“There’s a highlight clip where he jumps over a guy backwards. I’ve never even seen anybody hurdle anyone backwards before. He’s super athletic.”
According to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Jamarion Carroll ranks as the No. 169 overall wide receiver and No. 193 prospect in Texas.
