PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Most athletes dream of competing on the biggest stages, but few get the chance.<\/p>\n
For Dan River High School standout Robert Carter Jr., the road to the NFL has included a few detours\u2014from a walk-on opportunity in college, to a viral highlight that landed on SportsCenter\u2019s Top 10, to a bounce back in the Canadian Football League. Now, he\u2019s on the verge of making that dream a reality with the Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n
Before the internet-breaking catches, Carter was an undersized cornerback at Dan River, just looking for a chance to play college football.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew I was good at ball\u2026 but it takes more than just being talented,\u201d Carter said. \u201cYou gotta really want it\u2026 I didn\u2019t get that fire until that last game, and it ignited something in me.\u201d<\/p>\n
That opportunity came when UVA Wise offered Carter a walk-on spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey threw me on scout team\u2026 I started making plays\u2026 eventually moved to active, and once I was active, I got put with the starters,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n
Carter developed into a Division II All-American before transferring to Robert Morris University, where he continued to produce at the Division I level. He earned First Team All-NEC honors\u2014and made a catch that took off online, landed on SportsCenter\u2019s Top 10, and drew comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr.\u2019s famous one-handed grab.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was humbly thinking about it,\u201d Carter said. \u201cI thought it was crazy, but I didn\u2019t think it would be that big.\u201d<\/p>\n
After his time at Robert Morris, Carter got a shot with the Baltimore Ravens at rookie minicamp. But his first taste of the NFL didn\u2019t last.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they cut me, I kind of knew I didn\u2019t do enough\u2026 I regretted that for a very long time,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I could redo it, I would overdo everything in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carter says that experience helped fuel his next stop: the Canadian Football League, where he found his footing and turned production into momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really had to kick into my brain aspect of football\u2026 and that\u2019s sticking with me now because it helped me succeed in the CFL,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n
In his one season in the CFL, Carter started all 18 games and recorded five interceptions, including a pick-six. He was also nominated for his team\u2019s Most Outstanding Rookie award.<\/p>\n
That performance opened another door back in the NFL. Carter signed with the Indianapolis Colts and is now competing for a roster spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really feels really good to just be in the building\u2026 a lot of love and support,\u201d Carter said. \u201cBut also knowing at the end of the day it\u2019s a business.\u201d<\/p>\n
With another opportunity in front of him, Carter also has a message for the next generation of athletes in his hometown.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake advice,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t be one of those people that don\u2019t like to take advice\u2026 Advice goes a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colts training camp begins July 29, and Carter will be looking to earn a spot on the team\u2019s 53-man roster.<\/p>\n
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