Kent State fans won't have to wait long to find out what kind of recruiter
new head coach Darrell Hazell is. Just two days after helping guide Ohio State
to a Sugar Bowl victory over Arkansas, Hazell already was in the living room
of one of Kent State's most coveted prospects, junior defensive back
Tamani Carter.

Carter, a 6-foot, 175-pounder from Central High School in Pickerington, Ohio,
holds scholarship offers from several BCS programs, but that didn't stop
Hazell from doing his best to keep the Golden Flashes in the mix with Carter
just a few weeks before signing day.

"I think it went pretty good," Carter said. "He seems like
he's going to be a good coach for the Golden Flashes in the future."

Hazell drew on his past in developing several of his former players into NFL
draft picks to help influence Carter to see the big picture.

"He said I could be a great player there at Kent State and I could get
a lot of early playing time as a freshman," Carter said. "He told
me he'd get me NFL ready within the next three years, before I entered
my senior year."

Because Hazell's Kent State staff is not yet complete, he couldn't
tell Carter who would coach the defensive backs, but he did bring along the
Golden Flashes' new strength coach and recruiting coordinator.

"He said he's working on the DB coach," Carter said. "He
said the defensive side of the ball is one thing they have to get on right
away."

Despite Hazell's best efforts, Carter still favors the BCS programs.

"I like Arizona and Minnesota right now but I'm not ruling anybody
out," he said. "I'm going to give everyone a chance."

Carter officially visited Arizona back in December and he'll do the
same at Minnesota later this month. He's also heard quite a bit from
Vanderbilt recently.

Carter helped lead the Tigers to a perfect regular season record and two playoff
victories. He picked off three passes, returning two for scores, broke up eight
passes and on offense he had 20 catches for over 200 yards.

"I think I did real well," he said. "I feel I did a great
job this year. My strengths were making big plays and being in the right position
to make the plays for my team."

He said he hopes to have his decision out of the way in the next couple of
weeks.