KENTWOOD, La. — When Shyheim Carter, Sr. de-committed from Alabama in August, UGA was thought to be a clear favorite to land him.

One of the reasons for that is because of his relationship with UGA staff member Sam Petito. Before Petito got his start in college, UGA’s director of player personnel was a coach in Louisiana and a very important man in Carter’s upbringing.

“Me and him have a great relationship,” Carter told the AJC’s DawgNation.com. “He’s like my dad. Without him, I don’t think I’d be where I’m at today. He was always there for me. When I say always, I mean always. If I called him — I got it. If I asked him for anything, I had it.”

Carter, a 4-star cornerback from Kentwood High School (La.), also has a good relationship with 2017 UGA commit Devonta Smith. The two live around 15 minutes from each other and try to talk as much as possible.

Despite his strong relationship to UGA, it’s not a slam dunk that he commits there on National Signing Day.

“Georgia is a school I could possibly play for, but any school is aa school I can possibly play for,” Carter said.

The U.S. Army All-American has two children that he has to provide for, too: Sh’Niya, 2, and Shyheim, Jr., 1. Carter says Ole Miss has done the best job when it comes to showing love to his children.

In the video above, Carter answers the following questions:

1) He has three official visits planned right now. Will UGA get one? 2) How important is it for he and Devonta Smith to play with each other on the next level? 3) He de-committed from Alabama back in August. How did the Crimson Tide staff react? 4) How important is it to him that he remains a close distance away from his family when he goes to college?