Carlson Happy With Performance

The Princeton University senior and former Jamestown High School football star worked out for more than 20 scouts from 15 NFL teams at Princeton Stadium on Tuesday. It was the first of four such auditions for Carlson in the next several weeks.

“I was excited about my numbers,” Carlson said when reached by cellphone last night. “I think there are a few areas that, consistently in training, I’ve been getting a little better numbers. I’m sure in the next couple workouts I’ll get those better … but I was happy.”

Since helping the Tigers to an historic, unbeaten season as a wide receiver, Carlson is viewed more as a tight end at the next level, so he has gained weight over the last several months, checking in at 240 pounds on his 6-foot-4 frame.

“He came in right at the height and weight he needed, which will help his case,” said Carlson’s agent, Shane Costa of Pillar Sports Management, in an email. “His other times and jumps are pretty good. … I was told by at least one scout that he had a solid workout and caught the ball well.”

Included among the nine tests were the 40-yard dash (Carlson posted a time of 4.7 seconds), the vertical jump (he measured 32¢ inches) and the bench press (he lifted 225 pounds 18 times). The 18 reps in the bench press were a personal best.

“I’ve been at 17 a few times in training, but I never did 18,” he said. “It was nice to have everybody in the weight room cheering me on. I had a little extra juice.”

Carlson talked to quite a few teams yesterday, including representatives from the New York Giants, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Diego Chargers. He has scheduled Pro Days with the Giants, Jets and Philadelphia Eagles in the next several weeks.

“I talked to a lot of scouts and got ideas what they liked from me and what they want from me,” Carlson said. “Going forward, I have to keep working hard and keep performing.”

Added Costa: “Right now, the next steps are for me to get his official numbers, and talk to more scouts about how he did. It’s important for him to keep adding as much weight as possible and for him to do a great job when he tries out for the Giants, Eagles and Jets.”

Joining Carlson at yesterday’s Pro Day were teammates Jesper Horsted (wide receiver), John Lovett (quarterback/H-back) and Charlie Volker (running back). They are hoping to join a trio of Princeton alums who have been drafted over the last seven years. Chad Kanoff, the 2017 Ivy League Player of the Year, signed with the Arizona Cardinals last offseason.

Carlson and Horsted put together the best one-two receiving punch in the Ivy in 2017 and 2018. Last season, Carlson had 51 catches for 683 yards and five touchdowns, including two in a nationally televised win over Columbia, and he finished fourth in the league in both categories. For his career, he had 125 catches for 1,632 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The NFL Draft will be held April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee.