Dynamite Dozen: Lee County’s Griffin Carder is the Trojans’ point of attack

LEESBURG — Griffin Carder had all sorts of talented players joining him on the Lee County offensive line last year.

Two of those linemen, Griffin McDaniel and Cam Covin, went on to NCAA Division I programs at Florida and Florida A&M, respectively. Combined, the unit helped the Trojans score more than 35 points per game and win their first GHSA state title.

Four of Lee County’s five starting down linemen graduated. Carder is the lone returnee.

Carder, obviously, was expected to take over as the unit’s leader. It’s a role he has taken on comfortably.

“Being the returning starter from last year, you’ve got to lead the line,” Carder said.

A 6-foot-5, 290-pound senior, Carder, who committed to Georgia Southern in June, is a 2018 Albany Herald Dynamite Dozen selection.

Carder is a product of a Lee County strength and conditioning program that has produced several high-level athletes on both sides of the ball.

He has built up plenty of size during his high school career, gaining 80 pounds between his ninth-grade and senior seasons. According to his hudl.com profile, he can bench press 330 pounds, squat 495 pounds, clean 275 pounds and can do 27 reps with the bench press set at 185 pounds.

“Griffin is one of those kids who has worked extremely hard, built his body up,” Lee County head coach Dean Fabrizio said. “He went from a 210-pound freshman to a 290-pound senior. He put in a lot of time on the field and in the weight room, started all 15 games for us last year. We’re expecting him to be our leader on the offensive line this year.

“He’s so reliable. He’s a big, strong run blocker. He’s also excellent at pass protection. He’s there every day, works hard, and that leadership is invaluable.”

Carder’s work ethic is something teammates on both sides of the ball notice.

“Griffin is a big guy, and he brings physicality,” Lee County defensive back Tay Mayo said. “He has patience. When the D-line is rushing, he doesn’t worry and he doesn’t panic. He’ll play his game.”

While Carder will be the leader of a unit with several new starters, those starters won’t necessarily be young or inexperienced.

With more than 100 players on the Lee County roster, the Trojans have tremendous depth at several positions. Offensive line is one of those spots, as upperclassmen previously in reserve or rotational roles are fully prepared to take on bigger responsibilities.

“Last year, we were big on the line,” Carder said. “We were just stacked, weight-wise and physicality. They left, and this year we’ve got to bring the same thing. We’ve got to rebuild and do the same thing we did last year.”