Sports
West Potomac's Dan Carricker Signs With University of Maine
The senior at West Potomac High School was one of the Wolverines' best offensive linemen during his senior season
Dan Carricker made it official Wednesday: He’ll play college football at the University of Maine.
Carricker, the West Potomac star lineman, committed to Maine on National Letter of Intent Day. He was the only Wolverines player to commit to a college Wednesday. A number of West Potomac’s other seniors have options to play on the college level, coach Eric Henderson said.
Carricker visited the Orono, Maine, campus three weeks ago, and he decided then that he was going to become a Black Bear.
“The people there are great; the facilities there are awesome,” said Carricker, who made the coaches’ All-Patriot District team in the recently completed season. “I felt like I could relate to the people there.”
Orono, located about four hours north of Boston in central Maine, is a small town, Carricker said. “It reminds me of a southern town almost.”
“I kind of liked the simplicity of the town,” he added. “It wasn’t complicated, not confusing at all.”
Carricker was one of three offensive linemen to sign with Maine on the first day for college commitments. Three other D.C.-area players signed with Maine on Wednesday, including Gwynn Park (Md.) wide receiver Najee Green and Atholton (Md.) linebacker Brian Anthony.
Besides facilities, Maine’s football membership in the Colonial Athletic Association also played a role in Carricker’s signing. The Black Bears will play three games within 2-1/2 hours of Alexandria next season, at James Madison, at Richmond and at Villanova.
Carricker, who is considering a major in civil engineering, said he’s hoping to sit during his freshman year and use a redshirt year, leaving him with four years of eligibility. He would still be able to practice with the team, just not play in games.
“I’d prefer to get experience being in college without traveling [to road games],” he said.
Carricker was joined by his parents, Brad and Cindy, and his sister, West Potomac sophomore Sarah, when signing his National Letter of Intent, as well the school’s director of student activities, Aaron Helmick; West Potomac head football coach Eric Henderson; and two of Henderson’s assistants, Chuck McCullough and David Murray.
