Carlins Platel played on some of the greatest defensive units in the history of the Everett High football team – and that’s saying a lot for a program that won 13 state titles during the John DiBiaso Era.
Platel excelled at cornerback for the Crimson Tide alongside current collegiate players Jason Maitre (BC), Lewis Cine (Georgia) Mike Sainristil (Michigan), and Duane Binns (Central Conn. State).
Platel has now earned his own opportunity to compete at college football’s highest level. Following an outstanding career at Division 2 Assumption College where the 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound defensive back was All-Northeast-10 Rookie and ultimately All-Northeast-10 Conference, Platel has committed to attend the University of South Carolina.That’s big-time football with a capital ‘B’ – the Southeastern Conference with capitals “SEC.” The SEC is widely recognized as the best college football conference in the nation. South Carolina is the marquee sports attraction in the state and Palmetto State fans love the Gamecocks.
“It feels great to have a scholarship and have an opportunity to attend an outstanding university like South Carolina,” said Platel, who will graduate from Assumption in May with a degree in Health Science. “I just kept working hard at it and good things happened.”
Carlins, who is of Haitian descent, is the son of Gerda Camille. He has four older brothers and a younger brother and sister.
Developing his Talents in Pop Warner
As with many Everett High football players – from Gennaro Leo to Matt and Frank Nuzzo to Jonathan DiBiaso – the road to success for Carlins Platel began in the city’s superb Pop Warner football organization, today known as the Crimson Tide.
Carlins learned the rules and techniques of football and lessons about sportsmanship from dedicated coaches, and that the combination of teamwork and togetherness can produce many victories.
“I played from ‘E’ team all the way up to ‘B’ team,” recalled Platel. “Pop Warner football in Everett went very well and it was a lot of fun.”
A Super Bowl Ring as a Senior
Carlins Platel moved up from Pop Warner to the Everett High freshman team and then became a reserve player on the Everett varsity as a sophomore. He suffered a fractured collarbone in the first scrimmage of his junior year but returned for the MIAA state playoffs in November.
Platel made a huge impact in the first playoff game when he intercepted a pass in the final minute to preserve No. 8 seed Everett’s 12-7 upset of No. 1 seed St. John’s Prep. After defeating Peabody, 18-14 in the second round when Jordan McAfee connected with Theo Zidor for the winning TD with 14 seconds left, Everett fell to Central Catholic in the North Sectional finals.
But Platel would return to garner his Super Bowl championship ring in his senior season. The rising defensive star had a division-leading six interceptions during the season as Everett went on to defeat Xaverian in the Division 1 Super Bowl, 21-7, before 6,000 fans at Manning Field in Lynn.
All-Conference Back at Assumption College
Carlins chose Assumption in Worcester for his college destination and became a three-year starter in the Greyhounds’ defensive backfield.
He started 13 games as a freshman and was named to the All-Northeast-10 Rookie Team as Assumption surged into the top-10 in the nation and advanced to the NCAA Division 2 quarterfinals. He had two more outstanding seasons, finishing his career with seven interceptions and 96 tackles and bursting onto the national scene as a potential NFL draft prospect.
But Platel never had the chance to take the field for his fourth and final collegiate season as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 campaign.
Football Offers from Major Programs
Platel entered the transfer portal in October and received a lot of attention from Division 1 college football programs. Coastal Carolina (where Everett’s Isaiah Likely is the starting tight end) was the first to make an offer to Platel.
He also received offers from South Alabama and Mississippi State (a member of the SEC). And then in one memorable day, both South Carolina and Old Dominion offered scholarships.
“South Carolina presented me with a great opportunity to be a part of its program,” said Platel. “I just liked the coaching staff and what they’re doing there.”
He is aware of the majesty of the SEC. “You get the best of the best competition wise and I’m really looking forward to playing our schedule this fall,” said Platel.
The Gamecocks play their homes games at Williams-Brice Stadium that draws capacity crowds of 80,000 fans. South Carolina hosts Eastern Illinois (Tony Romo’s former school) in the opener followed by a non-conference game against East Carolina and the SEC opener at Georgia.
“The whole experience is exciting,” said Platel. “Not only are we going to have great fans at the games, but everybody back home can definitely tune in and watch.”
Looking back at his football career at Everett High, Platel holds wonderful memories, notably of his coach, John DiBiaso.
“Coach DiBiaso was one of the best coaches I ever had,” said Platel. “I think for not only myself, but for everybody who played football for him – he got everybody ready to go to college, play football, and get their degree. He’s just a very, very good coach. He knows what he’s doing and I wish him the best always.”