Dual-threat dynamo Dante Carr's impressive season ignites his journey to UCF, marked by prestigious honors and undeniable athleticism.
UCF 2026 quarterback commit Dante Carr had a stellar senior season for the Minersville Battlin' Miners, which earned him some end-of-the-season honors for his performances.
Carr received the First Team All-State bid and the Mini Max award on Wednesday. The Maxwell Football Club awards the Mini Max award to players in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for their excellence in athletics, academics and community service.
The Battlin' Miners' captain completed 116 of 181 passes for 1,822 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 1,396 yards on 135 carries and 19 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility, which coach Scott Frost praises.
"Dante caught my eye early on this spring, too," Frost said. "Dante reminds me a little of myself when I was that age, to be honest with you. He's just a great all-around athlete. He's a great kid. We have some work to do with him on his stroke, and I think he knows that, but he's a fantastic athlete and fantastic kid."
Carr was also named the American Remodeling Player of the Year by T102 Sports Now and the WNEP Offensive Player of the Year. One play that encapsulates Carr's dual-threat ability is his first highlight posted by the UCF Recruiting X account.
The 6-foot-4 quarterback spins past three defenders, hurdles another one, jukes to the right to lose more pursuing defenders and tops his highlight scramble with a touchdown. Carr's athleticism has sparked some conversations about playing other positions.
However, Frost is determined to develop his young recruit and sharpen his quarterback skills to have the opportunity to become the Knights' lead signal caller.
"[He] was getting recruited by a lot of places to play quarterback and some places to play something else," Frost said. "I think when you're an athletic quarterback, every time a throw doesn't look perfect, they come to you and ask you, 'Why aren't you playing some other position?' If you're not a good enough athlete to play a different position, then they never say that to you if you make a bad throw. But Dante's a guy I'm really excited to work with and work on his mechanics a little bit. I think if we get that ironed out, he's got the athletic ability and just the approach to the game that can make him really good."
Carr will face immediate competition after arriving at the Acrisure Bounce House. He will compete with his fellow recruit, Rocco Marriott, for the starting job during spring training.
Regardless of the results next spring, Carr has a bright future ahead of him as a Knight with his dual-threat ability.