If you ask Preston Carry from East Northport about his love for football, he’ll tell you it all started when he was just four. “The helmet just fascinated me,” he recalls.
At 6 feet 5 inches and nearly 300 pounds, this defensive lineman recently committed to the University of Georgia, surrounded by devoted fans at Okawa Castle on the North Shore.
“I got a full scholarship offer from Georgia when I was in eighth grade,” he explains. “At that time, five other schools were interested too. I attended college football camps and aimed to outperform everyone from ninth to twelfth grade.” He narrowed down his choices to Georgia, Florida, Auburn, and Rutgers, emphasizing that Georgia was his clear choice from the start.
He expresses his passion for football, stating, “I love the aggression… and dominating your opponent.” For him, life is about facing challenges and continually pushing to reach new heights.
Carrie started on the varsity team in his freshman year at St. Anthony High School, helping lead the team to a 27-20 state title win against St. Francis High School in Buffalo in 2022.
He believes that students at St. Anthony are held to a higher standard, attributing much of his discipline and motivation to the strict yet nurturing environment of the South Huntington Catholic Academy.
“The passing grade is set at 75 instead of 65, so it really pushes you to focus in every class,” he notes.
“It definitely builds resilience,” he adds.
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Fast forward two years, and Carey is honing his skills at IMG Academy in Florida, a school known for producing NFL talent like Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal.
“If it’s for my career, I’m ready to pack my bags and go anywhere,” Carrie said, recalling the moment he committed to Georgia as a decisive “yes.”
He quickly made a name for himself on the IMG National team and gained a substantial social media following, captivated by his intense playing style.
During the last fall season at IMG, he redshirted for Georgia during the playoffs in December.
Throughout the recruitment process, he maintained constant communication with Georgia’s defensive line coach, who offered valuable advice.
“He really guides me on what I need to do to improve and gives me insight to become a first-round prospect,” Carrie shared.
This summer, Carrie follows a rigorous morning routine at Deer Park, training under Golden Uconu, an ex-Tennessee Titans offensive lineman.
After five hours, he heads to a local gym, incorporating MMA and boxing into his training.
“As a defensive lineman, it’s like boxing; it’s all about using your hands,” he said, highlighting the importance of hand-eye coordination and agility.
While he focuses on improving his skills, Carrie is also eager about potential opportunities that come with playing in college. He hopes to give back to his family for their unwavering support of his aspirations.
The thought of appearing in the upcoming video game “NCAA Football 27” makes him smile. “It’s going to be wild,” he remarked. “It’s all a blessing.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to achieve even more while playing in the SEC, with his sights set on being called in the NFL Draft years down the line.
“It’s not just a dream; it’s a goal,” he declared. “I’m working towards it each day.”
