Clemson is continuing its efforts to build on the success in the 2025 cycle, and Mickey Conn traveled to Kentucky to visit a key target ahead of a March visit.

Four-star safety Martels Carter Jr. is planning to visit the Tigers during the spring and it’s one he’s looking forward to. He received an offer from Clemson last summer, and his relationship with Conn has grown.

As he weighs the Tigers in his recruitment, the history of preparing players to the NFL is important to Carter. On top of that, the development he expects from the Clemson coaches like Conn makes him believe in the opportunity.

“That’s everything I need right there like that, because that’s what I want. Like, my goal is to get develop going to a system that fits me, you know, make it to the NFL. So they’re checking off all the boxes right now. So when I go there with my family and just see how that is again, it was just a great atmosphere,” Carter said.

As he approaches this visit, Carter is bringing his family to Tiger Town and their opinion matters as much as his. He noted how the Clemson program is family oriented, and so is he.

While he has the Tigers in his “top three” at this stage, the feeling his family gets will play a large factor moving forward.

“That means everything because you know, I’m a big family guy. They get good vibes then everything’s good and goes well then you know, that’s another check mark off Clemson’s list,” Carter said.

Defensive lineman Stephiylan Green has a deep relationship with Carter, and he’s also given him the unbiased opinion about the program. That’s meant a lot for Carter to be able to hear his testimony and further emphasizes the opportunities presented early in his career if it’s at Clemson.

“They say ask the player, they will tell you a lot. So just knowing that it’s nothing wrong about Clemson, they’re gonna get the best out of you, you want the best out of you. Yo do your job, you play, and I believe they play true freshman…I think Clemson had the most snaps played of true freshman. So like, they believe in playing the best player and so that’s another thing, want to play as a true freshman,” Carter said.

With this visit approaching, Carter plans to commit May 25, his grandmother’s birthday. The Tigers can go a long way towards getting a commitment in this latest visit and that timeline would set up perfect for an official visit to be a celebration in Clemson.