RUMOR: EJ Carter To Transfer

Unconfirmed reports say starting weak side LB EJ Carter of Orlando FL is finishing out the school year and will be transferring.  EJ is still listed on the roster at su athletilcs.   

Carter stepped into the starting roll after Derek Hines quit the team in the fall. EJ missed time due to suspension after starting 4 games for "a violation of team rules."  According to facebook, EJ is recently engaged to a Florida State co-ed which may be reason enough to get closer to home.

When he became the starting Will, Carter seemed very committed to the team, going to far as to say "I signed on the dotted line."

If true, Doug Marrone will have to eat his words:

Marrone said after Friday's Fanfest, the Orange's first full-contact practice of preseason camp. "He said, 'Coach, you don't have to worry about me.' I think this will be the last time someone at that position will exit the program."

EJ had a break out game (along with the rest of the Linebackers) against Rutgers including this sack for a 12 yard loss.

via www.nypost.com

Carter had a reputation as a big hitter and was a weekley contender for "the bone."

This comes on the heals of a recruiting class heavy at LB.  EJ may have felt his prospects for keeping his starting job were bleak with new players already on campus. In his end of the year meeting HCDM told the team:

guys, there are a lot of people sitting in this room right now that have a lot of expectations of their performance next year and where they are and where they're going to be. Some of you will reach those expectations. Some of you will not. Again, we're all starting from zero again. We have to earn these positions.

EJ has a host of reasons to be leaving:  Repercussions from his suspension, dim prospects of future playing time, a fiance in Florida...

or it could be the weather.