In 2010, Ronald Carswell was one of the many touted members of yet another highly-ranked Alabama recruiting class. After being suspended for spring practice in 2012, the wide receiver left the Tide.
A year later, Carswell is back at the FBS level.
Monday, the receiver confirmed to the Macon Telegraph that he will continue his collegiate playing career at West Virginia. After leaving Tuscaloosa, Carswell played at the JUCO level for the 2012 season.
As is ofttimes the case, the player, who acknowledged that he “made some mistakes, and I paid the price,” said he’s learned from his experiences over the past year.
“I was happy to still be playing football and thankful for the opportunity, but I can’t say it wasn’t painful for me,” Carswell told the Telegraph. “It was time for me to give 100 percent to becoming the best football player and person I could be. I know I had let my family and my coaches down, but I was going to do whatever I could to get back to Division I football. (Sheddrick) Risper, my high school coach at Westside, never gave up on me, but there were times when he was giving me some tough love. He was disappointed in my decision-making.
“Not everyone gets a chance to play somewhere like Alabama or any Division I school, but I always thought that I could get back.”
Carswell was rated by Scout.com as a four-star recruit in 2010, while Rivals.com had the 6-0, 180-pound Macon, Ga., product rated as a three-star prospect. The latter recruiting service had him rated as the No. 71 receiver in the country in 2010.
As he spent a year at the JUCO level, Carswell will be eligible to play immediately for WVU in 2013.
The Mountaineers have been very active in the transfer free-agent market this offseason, adding former Florida State quarterback Clint Trickett and former Houston running back Charles Sims. They are also reportedly one of two finalists for former Pittsburgh running back Rushel Shell.
(Photo credit: Alabama athletics)