Is Gulf Shores standout Carter Davis a wide receiver, a defensive back or both at the next level.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” he said this week during a break at Foley’s 7-on-7 event. “I’m an athlete.”

Colleges are now seeing just that and seeing it at a rapid pace.

The 6-foot, 165-pound junior is one of the fastest rising recruits in the state, having received offers from West Virginia, Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas all in the last week.

“It’s a blessing,” Davis said Wednesday. “Now I have to keep going. I can’t let that stop me from grinding.”

Davis doesn’t yet have a star ranking according to 247Sports and has yet to crack the top list of junior recruits in the state, but college recruiters are definitely seeing what Gulf Shores coach Mark Hudspeth and his staff saw a year ago.

“We knew all along he had that type of ability and now other people are just seeing it,” he said. “I think him getting out to the camps this summer really helped his cause. He’s an elite speed guy. He’s got a 40-plus vertical jump. He’s really helped himself and, on top of that, he is one of the best kids you will ever coach. I’m really proud that it’s happening for a good kid.”

Davis has been to LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and Mississippi State, but he doesn’t have a favorite at this point.

“It’s just happening, so I really don’t know,” he said.

In 2024, he caught 10 passes for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 108 yards on 14 carries.

“He made a lot of big plays for us last year,” Hudspeth said. “We need to get him the ball more this year. He’s a big-play guy.”

Davis said his goal – as more offers come in – is to keep working.

“I just have to go out and act like I don’t have any offers,” he said. “I’ve got to stay humble and grind.”

Hudspeth said Davis’ speed and versatility will allow him to fit in at any college.

“He’ll be one of the faster guys on the college level also,” he said. “A lot of schools are looking at him at corner, some at receiver. I think most will end up putting him where they think he fits their needs the most.”

Headed to West Point

Davis’ teammate, linebacker Landon Everett, committed to Army earlier this month.

“I’m fired up for him,” Hudspeth said. “An opportunity to go to West Point? That’s not a four-year decision. That’s a 50-year decision. That’s a life-changing opportunity for his future past football.”

Everett finished the season with 178 tackles in 2024, including 20.5 for a loss. He was a first-team Class 6A All-State selection.

“He was in the top 10 in the nation in tackles,” Hudspeth said of the senior. “He’s tough, plays sideline to sideline. He was our best player on defense last year by far, and he’s continuing to improve.”

Committed to Troy

Gulf Shores tight end Nick Hampton recently committed to Troy.

The senior caught 35 passes for 378 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior for the Dolphins.

He said he will play a hybrid tight end at Troy who can block on the line but also create mismatches in coverage.

“I liked everything about Troy,” he said. “Good coaches, good culture. The culture is one of the main reasons I committed. I feel like they can develop me at the next level.”

Gulf Shores is scheduled to open the 2025 season at Choctawhatchee, Fla., on Aug. 22.