Athlete Spotlight: Carlton Boone #81

SPORTS: Football

Tell us your story. What life experiences have impacted your journey? What motivates you? What is your “why"?

Ever since I started playing football a year ago, I’ve loved it. From the first time I played outside with my friends, I knew it was something special. My friends inspired me to try the sport, and I quickly fell in love with it. It wasn’t easy, though. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where I am now—late nights, early mornings, and always doing a little extra. What keeps me going is my love for football and my desire to keep learning more about the game. I want to become a true student of the game so I can play faster and continue to develop beyond my peers. My “why” is my family. They have always supported my journey, believed in me, and given me the courage to keep moving forward.

What role does your faith play in your life and in your sports career?

I will always trust God and His plan for my life. Growing up, I made a lot of mistakes that I still look back on, but I know that God used my past failures to help me grow. Because of that, I use the courage and growth I’ve gained to keep moving forward. My faith keeps me grounded, believing that everything happens according to His timing.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? If so, which one and why?

Proverbs 3:5–6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." This is a very popular verse, and I think it connects with me so well because it reminds me to trust God’s plan over my own. When I stopped trying to control everything and started trusting Him fully, it changed me. It helped shape me into a better player and a better person.

What accomplishment are you most proud of personally and athletically (name one of each)?

I was honored to receive the Lance Brown Award for being a hard worker and showing selflessness and a team-first attitude. This award honors the legacy of Lance Brown, a beloved Panther Creek coach who passed away in 2020. I am truly blessed to receive an award that represents someone who stood for so much. The award recognizes an individual who leads without complaint, is always willing to help others, and strives to do the right thing both on and off the field. It means a lot to me to be associated with those qualities and to carry on a legacy like that.

What do you feel sets you apart from your competition and what skills do you currently possess that are your biggest assets?

Here it is cleaned up with strong grammar and confidence: I personally feel that my knowledge of the game sets me apart. Kids around me have always said I was smart growing up, and I think that has definitely translated to my game. Two articles written about me by Six Star Football highlight my football IQ, route timing, and pacing. They also talk about how I use shoulder fakes and deception to create natural separation with my cuts and breaks. Being able to break down defenders and control tempo are strong assets of my game. I take pride in being a reliable soft-spot zone receiver and a productive slot contributor who understands how to find space and make plays.

What skills are you most focused on improving?

Right now, I would say the main areas I’m continuing to improve are my speed and strength. Speed has always been an issue for me since I first started playing football, but I’ve definitely made a lot of progress. My strength has improved as well, but I know there’s still more work to do. By consistently going to the gym, working on my lifts, using resistance bands, and doing short-burst sprints, I’m steadily building both my speed and strength. I’m committed to improving every day and working my way to where I need to be before the season starts.

Tell us what a typical day or week is like for you:

I start my day by praying to the Lord. Then I read 1-2 passages from my Bible and reflect on my daily verse, saying thank you to God before I begin my day. Since it’s the offseason during the spring and I’m a junior, I go to my four classes, and school ends at 2:18. After I get home, I usually head to the gym for my lift. Once I finish at the gym, I get ready for field work. My field sessions usually consist of catching, route running, and mobility work. Sometimes I train with friends, and other times I go by myself. After that, I head home to rest, work on homework, and often put on football to study my position or even learn more about the defense. I stay active throughout the entire week, and on weekends, I usually go to my trainer to continue sharpening my skills.

What are your plans for the future and what is your number one objective for the next year / season?

My plans for the future are to play college football at any level. I don’t currently have a major interest or offers, so I’m definitely not going to be picky. All I want is an opportunity to play at the next level, earn my stripes, and work my way up. My main objective for next year is to play a lot and earn solid film. I’m not chasing stats — I’m focused on becoming the best player I can be so I can contribute heavily to any team I’m on. If I take care of my development and help my team win, I believe the opportunities will come.

What is the biggest challenge you see in achieving your upcoming goal or where could you use help?

I would say the biggest challenge is the level of competition in high school. There are a lot of great athletes and smart players. However, I live by something my head coach once told me: “You’ve got to know your job to do your job.” I use that mindset to overcome this challenge by training hard but also training smart. I make sure I know my playbook inside and out, understand different coverages, and recognize the looks the defense gives. That allows me to break things down quickly and play fast. Focusing on preparation and football IQ has been a huge help, and I believe it will make a big difference for me this upcoming season.

What words of advice do you have for younger athletes that are up and coming?

I would say to block out the outside noise and not listen to what others say, because people are always going to try to knock you off course. Stay true to yourself and follow your dreams. At the end of the day, it’s your life, and that’s what matters most. Always work hard for what you want in this life. And remember, a bad start doesn’t mean a bad finish. But most importantly, above all, keep the Lord first and talk to Him frequently. He will guide you. The path may not always look clear or bright, but He is leading you every step of the way.

Who was your favorite player growing up or who's style of play do you most admire?

I just started playing a year ago, but some players I’ve admired a lot are Jalen Milroe, Amari Cooper, C. J. Stroud, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Terry McLaurin, and Bryce Young. I know that’s six players, but they all share qualities I respect. What I find in common with all of them is that they stay humble, remain true to themselves, believe in who they are, and always work hard. Many of them have underdog stories, and they never let that stop them. I really like Terry McLaurin’s play style because of his fast pace and burst off the line. I respect Amari Cooper’s quiet but deadly demeanor—he lets his game speak for itself. I also admire Amon-Ra St. Brown for his physical strength, team-first mentality, blocking ability, and mindset as a strong slot contributor. Those are traits I try to model in my own game.

What one question would you have for your favorite athlete if they were sitting here now?

I don’t really have one favorite 😅, but if I could ask a question, it would be: How do I stay consistent at the college level? Consistency is what separates good players from great ones. I’d want to know how to stay locked in every day — in practice, in games, in the weight room, and in the classroom. How do you handle the pressure, the competition, and the ups and downs of a long season while still performing at a high level? That’s something I’m focused on building now so I’m ready when my opportunity comes.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the community?

All I can say is thank you for reading, and Jesus loves you ❤️