Tre Carter has many tools -- including ones Soddy-Daisy baseball coach Jared Hensley says cannot be taught -- and they are attracting recruiters from college football and basketball as well as baseball.
"He could definitely choose what he wants to do and where he wants to do it," Trojans football coach Justin Barnes said.
A 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior, Carter played a number of positions for Barnes. Although primarily a receiver, he was also a defensive back, the team's third quarterback and punter and also served at times as the place-kicker.
"It might be easier to say that he doesn't play linebacker, offensive line or defensive line," Barnes replied.
For basketball, Carter just received an invitation to try out as a Tennessee representative for Team USA, an international travel squad. That won't happen, though, because his summer will be filled with travel baseball.
"Last year he made the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association team and then the Border Wars team. He had some really good showcases and some good tournaments," Hensley said.
Baseball recruiters began noticing what their football brethren saw last fall, and it appears that pro scouts will be making visits next spring.
"What they're seeing is a freak athlete that can play baseball," Hensley said of his center fielder. "He has a lot of tools you can't teach -- unbelievable speed, an unbelievable knack for getting jumps on and tracking fly balls, a great arm and great bat speed. The things he can do and the adjustments he can make are pretty special."
The Trojans were named in the preseason as one of the area teams to watch, and seniors Dillon Clift and Andy Wright already have signed with NCAA Division I programs. A catcher, Clift next year will be at East Tennessee State, while Wright will be pitching for Middle Tennessee State. Another, pitcher Hunter Maynor, is getting looks.
"Hunter didn't have the opportunity of last summer to be seen," Hensley said of the left-hander who also was the school's record-setting quarterback last fall. "He started a bunch as a sophomore, but then last year he had just two starts before he had hip surgery. He didn't pick up a baseball again until after football season this year."
Carter has gotten at least a glimpse of the recruiting process and how it was handled.
"He's seen how it worked, but we're such a long way out for him. He doesn't have to make a decision now or even this time next year," said Hensley, who believes Carter will opt for baseball although football is very much a possibility. "There are still a few things he needs to take care off, but I think he'd like to get (the commitment/signing) done so he can enjoy his senior season."
Among schools he's hearing from for one sport or the other are Austin Peay, MTSU and Kentucky. Both baseball and football coaches from Tennessee have been in contact, and the baseball coaches have been down to see him play. The Volunteers' football coaches are encouraging him to come to a camp this summer.
"I think he'll have a bunch of football opportunities and do it at the Division I level, although I admit I'm biased. He has the speed, the hands, the instincts and he's athletic," Hensley said.
"Legitimately, he could go to a Tennessee or a Georgia," Barnes said. "He has that type skill set. He is one of those that has always been the fastest and tallest, but in a competitive situation he'd push himself. I see him having no problem playing at that level."
At this point, though, baseball likely has the edge.
"The first sport I actually played was baseball," said Carter, who first picked up a bat as a 3-year-old. "My dad wants me to concentrate on baseball."
Even Barnes believes the multisport star leans toward baseball.
"There's always been interest. Any (football recruiters) that call check on him," Barnes said. "I think baseball is probably his first love, but that's all right with me."
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.