Two kids, one on the way.
That’s the biggest motivator for Malcolm Cater as he enters his final eligible year in college football. After a tumultuous past, the former Riverhead football product will suit up as the full-time middle linebacker for the University of Charleston.
After a junior season of ups and downs that got started off on the wrong foot because of a sudden parole violation while he was still in New York, Cater arrived late to camp and didn’t get as many in-game reps during the season.
“There’s so many ways to violate your parole,” Cater said. “I have to report everything to my parole officer, no excuses. Even if my friend was pulled over and I was in the passenger seat, the fact that I had contact with the police needs to be reported.”
Cater spent a month in jail while his team prepped for the season. After he finally arrived, he was behind everyone else. It was a week before the first game.
“I was still learning the defensive schemes during the regular season,” Cater said. “They used me only for certain situations. I had to catch up.”
The majority of plays he was involved in was second and third-and-long plays.
“Their defense is different than any other I’ve played in my life,” Cater said.
So because of his lack of reps, Cater was only inserted as an edge rusher, playing on the defensive line as a stand-up defensive end. He didn’t get many snaps from his signature linebacking spot.
But this season, he’s been with the team from the get-go and barring any unforeseen setbacks, he’s excited to get a true chance to show what he can do for potential NFL teams. Because that’s still the goal — to make it.
“It’s always been my dream and it still is today,” Cater said about the prospects of playing at the sport’s highest level.
In fact, before camp started, even though Cater didn’t play much the year before, five NFL scouts showed up at the school asking for him.
“It caught me off guard,” Cater said. “I wasn’t expecting people to start asking about me until I started putting in work on the field. I guess they’ve been following my progress.”
Cater sat down with the representatives and they got a feel for who he is and where he sees himself in the future.
“They wanted to know about everything,” Cater said. “They wanted to make sure my head was in the right place. They wanted to see who Malcolm Cater is.”
The visit by scouts is only the tip of the iceberg for Cater. He expects things to pick up throughout the season.
“I’m in great shape,” Cater said. “I’ve been doing extra reps in the weight room, extra conditioning. My coach is always on me. He calls me three times a day. And I truly feel better than I have ever felt. I’m ready to make noise.”
The Golden Eagles will kick off the season September 3. They’ll be at home against Notre Dame College of Ohio and big #44 will be in the middle directing traffic and most importantly making big plays.
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