Abilene OL Looking Forward To Rice Visit

When I caught up with Abilene Carroll Offensive lineman Drew Carroll earlier this week, the big guy was... bored.

A teenager off for Christmas break...bored!?! What? The problem was simple - for the first time since early August, Carroll wasn't playing football last weekend.

His Abilene Eagle football team had knocked off Katy the weekend before to capture its first State Championship in over 50 years. The days afterward left a void in the Carroll's schedule.

"You kind of get into a routine with practices and bus rides and pep rallies and all. It was an incredible journey through the playoffs while it lasted - but it all ends pretty quick. You kind of don't know what to do when its over", he laughed.

Carroll won't have to sit around idle long though. After receiving a scholarship offer from Rice just before Christmas, he's scheduled an official visit to the Rice Campus the weekend of January 16th.

It won't be his first time to Houston.

"I visited Rice for their Junior Day back in the spring. I'm looking forward to going back because I didn't get to visit to much with the coaches the last time I was out there. I met them but there were so many recruits at their Junior Day we didn't get to talk very long."

Carroll's tenacious playing style peaked the Rice coaching staff's interest during Abilene's championship run in the playoffs, and as a result the Owls came forward to offer the big mauler last week.

The Owls weren't the only ones who noticed Carroll - playing Offensive Tackle, the 6-4 275 pounder was named 1st Team 5A All-State by the Associated Press prior to Abilene's Championship victory.

We asked Drew to give us the run down on his playing style.

"I think my zone blocking and pass protection are the strongest points of my game. And, I really try to finish every play too. I play to the whistle. Of course everyone has things they need to improve upon. I'm no different. I'd like to get a little faster and improve my quickness."

Carroll has been decribed by coaches in his district as a tenacious blocker that plays with aggression. "Off the field, he's kind of a quiet guy. When he steps on the field he turns into a lineman that just wears people out. Every play you look up and he's just grinding someone into the turf. Someone is going to get a heck of a player with him."

Drew shared his thoughts on his upcoming trip and his college plans.

"I really looking forward to getting out there. Rice is really my favorite school. If everything goes well on my trip I think I'll be a Rice Owl."

We like that Drew!

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