WS Chronicle

Karron Jeter (6’2”, 230 lbs.)

– Defensive End (Redshirt Junior)

– Mt. Tabor graduate (2017)

– Just graduated with his degree in exercise science

Winston Salem State University (WSSU) defensive end Karron Jeter was a two-sport athlete growing up. Excelling on the hardwood, as well as on the field. He had the presence of mind to realize football was where he could really spread his wings and that enabled him to earn a scholarship from the Rams.

“Once I got to high school, I played basketball and football all four years, but I saw that football was going to take me further athletically, so that’s what I stuck with,” said Jeter.

During his freshman year at Mt. Tabor, Jeter realized that football could take him places, but he wasn’t focused enough in the classroom. After a heart-to-heart conversation with then-head coach Laymarr Marshall that really hit home, Jeter made the necessary changes to not only make an impact in sports, but also in the classroom.

“I was kind of complacent with grades,” he said. “I was never a bad student, but I was OK with Cs and he (Marshall) sat me down and asked if I wanted to play college football. I said yes, and he said, ‘These Cs aren’t going to cut it.’  So, from that point forward I don’t think I ever made another C after that in high school.”

Jeter says he enjoyed his time at Mt. Tabor and would not change anything besides not winning a state championship while there. He said the Spartan coaching staff, which included current head coach Tiesuan Brown, helped him develop into the player he is today.

“I look back and I could just see the change from a boy to a young man,” he said about his maturation during his high school years. “It’s like a family, so I go back now and they ask me to come back to help the D line.”

Jeter began getting looks from colleges during his junior season. He says the recruiting process was “up and down” for him. “It’s a very emotional roller coaster; the recruiting process, you know,” he said. “You’re young and you have to make such a big decision, but overall it teaches you a lot about yourself. It’s the first big decision you make.”

WSSU showed interest in Jeter while he was a junior, but didn’t offer him a scholarship until his senior year. Because he is a Winston-Salem native, Jeter had been on the campus of WSSU many times and did not take an official visit. With WSSU being in town, he knew his family would be able to come watch him play, which was a big draw.

“It just fit financially, academically and athletically,” he said. “I knew I wanted to stay in North Carolina. I didn’t mind leaving, but in reality, I knew it was best to stay if I wanted my family to see me play. The only downfall I saw at the time was being in the city I was raised in. I told myself I was going to give it a try. I fell in love with the school my first week here.”

Ramdition is a tradition at WSSU that all freshmen partake in. Jeter was able to meet a lot of people from outside the city and during that week he really enjoyed it. He says the campus of WSSU is like a city in and of itself.

Making the transition from high school football to college is a big leap for most incoming freshmen. Jeter said learning the playbook was not that bad, but it took a little time for him to adjust to the speed of the college game.

“Right after I graduated from high school, I automatically started coming to workouts here at WSSU,” Jeter said. “Todd McComb was the defensive coordinator at the time, and he would make me sit down and we would go over the playbook over the summer. So once camp hit, I was up to speed with the playbook. It was more so getting adjusted to the speed of the game and the guys are a lot stronger. That was the biggest adjustment for me.”

Jeter redshirted for his freshman season in 2017. The next season he started making flashes on the field and earned his way into the starting lineup for a few games. He says that was when he knew that he was capable of competing on the collegiate level.

Jeter says he likes to watch players like Khalil Mack, DeMarcus Lawrence, Von Miller and Aaron Donald. Jeter says he feels he has a nice combination of speed and power which he uses to keep offensive linemen off balance.

“I try to mix it up and try to keep the offensive lineman honest in his pass protection and I am also going to put my hand in the dirt and stop the run as well,” he said about his style.  

For this upcoming season, Jeter says their goal is to always win championships at WSSU. He says they have a motto of “We graduate champions” and he wants a championship of his own before he is finished playing.

“I got my degree and now it’s time to land some jewelry,” he stated. “First step is to take it one game and one play at a time. The first goal is the CIAA championship and we want to make it into the playoffs. We last went to the NCAA championship in 2012 and the goal is to get back there and win it.”

Last season, Jeter was an academic All-American. He wants to repeat that feat once again. As a humble player, he admitted that he would like to make an All-Conference and All-American team. He said his coaches want him to become a little more vocal and he agreed.

Jeter says he feels his Rams’ team has what it takes to win a championship. He says they left some plays on the field last season, so the motto of camp has been “finish.”

Of course, Jeter would love to make the move to the NFL once his college career is over. He says he will strive for it and do whatever it takes to make it. He is an admitted realist and stated that if his NFL dreams don’t come true, he has a backup plan. He recently applied to the occupational therapy program at WSSU and would love to one day own his own occupational therapy practice.

Outside of football, Jeter likes to play golf and tennis.  He says he also enjoys outside activities like hiking and fishing.