What I like most about Carlson’s future is his willingness to compete, not only against the other team, but against his teammates, too. He split reps with Zander Brasher, now a freshman at Tampa, at IMG in the spring. Over the summer, he shared reps with Duke commit Luke Druhot, one of the top FOGOs in the country, and at times, it was hard to tell who was better. IMG added more depth for this spring with recent transfer Trevor Engledow. Nothing has been handed to Carlson, and that daily competition should only help him at the next level.

Carlson is a unique face-off specialist because he’s a natural lefty who switches hands to scoop. That style gives opponents a different look, with much of his power coming from his bottom hand. His quick hands and variety of exits stand out at the X, though I’d like to see him improve against more physically dominant FOGOs. Handling the ball isn’t a concern. He loves getting an opposing FOGO matched up against him when he has the ball and isn’t afraid to take him where he wants before going to the rack. Overall, there’s a ton to like about Carlson, and I only see him getting better.

Carlson is a technically refined faceoff specialist who combines quick hands, sharp instincts, and excellent control at the X. His hand speed and timing allow him to gain possession cleanly and immediately transition the ball upfield. He’s adept at jump-starting fast breaks and creating early offensive opportunities right off the whistle. Carlson’s poise and consistency make him a reliable anchor for IMG’s possession game. With his polished technique and feel for momentum, he’s the type of FOGO who can set the tone and tilt the field in his team’s favor.