Contact:             Doug Aiken
                           (714) 997-6900

Release Date:   April 27, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Chapman’s Carter To Sign Football Contract With The New York Jets

ORANGE – Senior linebacker/running back Michael Carter (Moreno Valley/Valley View High) has agreed to terms with the New York Jets of the National Football League and will sign a priority free agent contract this Thursday. Carter will be at the Jets’ three-day mini camp beginning Friday. Carter becomes just the second Chapman football player to sign an NFL contract in the school’s history. Kicker Matt George, who played at Chapman from 1996-97, spent some time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998, then spent several seasons playing in the Arena Football League.

“I’m so excited to be representing Chapman,” said Carter on Tuesday. “It just shows how possible it is to achieve your dreams when you go after them in full force and with confidence. God just blessed me through this whole process.”

The signing comes just a few months after Carter had surgery to repair a torn labrum he suffered in a game on October 25th. Carter connected with Athletes Performance in Carson where he has worked out six days a week for nearly three months, preparing and hopeful for a chance in the NFL.

The 6-3, 252-pound NFL rookie, spent three years with Chapman, serving as team captain twice and played his senior season on both sides of the field. He led the team in sacks and tackles for a loss as a starting outside linebacker in 2003 and set a career-high in rushing yards (424) and touchdowns (six). He was signed as a tight end, his original position when he transferred to Chapman in 2001.

Carter Bio
Chapman Career: rushed 121 times for 697 yards (5.8 yds per carry) and eight touchdowns...nine catches for 146 yards (16.2 yds per catch) and one touchdown...two-time team captain...2003: made four catches for 19 yards...rushed a career-high 82 times for career-high 424 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and six touchdowns...rushed for third-highest single-game rushing total in Chapman history: 223 yards (vs. Whittier; 10/25/03)...named Chapman Athlete of the Week (10/29/03)...finished fifth on the team in total tackles (53) and fourth on the team in solo tackles (35) in his first year as a full-time linebacker...led the team in sacks (seven for 38 yards) and tackles for a loss (11 for 44 yards)...eight quarterback hurries...two pass breakups...one fumble recovery...named Chapman team MVP...earned Chapman "Iron Man" Award...2002: made six catches for 107 yards (17.8 yds per catch) and one touchdown...long reception of 75 yards (vs. Whittier; 9/14/02)...rushed 38 times for 278 yards (7.3 yds per carry) and two touchdowns...long rush of 68 yards (vs. Lewis & Clark; 10/12/02)...nominated for Verizon Academic All-District VIII...2001: made three catches for 20 yards...one rush for minus-five yards...named Chapman Newcomer of the Year...2000: played one year at Cerritos College in Cerritos, Calif...caught four passes for 52 yards (13 yds per catch)...1999: was a redshirt at Fresno State...High School: played three years varsity at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, Calif...named to Inland Empire Football All-Star Game...team captain...Riverside County Player of the Week (1998)...two-sport star in football and track...set Valley View school record in 110-meter high hurdles...member of school record-setting 4X400-meter relay team...selected most improved athlete in 1998...