RICHMOND, Ky. – "Running north to south" is a phrase used constantly by football coaches and analysts imploring running backs to get up the field as quick and as straight as possible.
 
It is a running style embodied by Eastern Kentucky University's Joshua Carter. He is a powerful running back from Navarre, Florida that has been effective in getting to the end zone with that style, having scored six times in the last five games.
 
Carter's path to success, however, has been far from a straight line that has run from north to south, but rather a twisting and winding journey that has taken him from south in Florida, north to his new home in Richmond, Kentucky.
 
Coming out of high school, Carter was actually recruited for his prowess in stopping running backs as a linebacker. At Navarre High he concluded his senior season in 2018 with the school record for tackles, stops for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles.
 
Carter also showed off his raw strength in the off-season claiming two state titles in weightlifting at the 219-pound division.
 
"Weightlifting for me was just another thing I could compete in. That's why I wanted to do it," said Carter. "It helped maintaining strength and discipline, and that's what I pride myself on. I want to be a strong and disciplined person and that's how I approach football."
 
Despite the performances on and off the field, many schools overlooked him, leaving him to take a preferred walk-on spot at South Alabama.
 
"I really didn't have the measurables that most people look for in a linebacker," said Carter, who now stands at five-foot-nine inches and 207 pounds. "There aren't many schools that are looking for anyone that's my height, but I wanted to take the opportunity at South Alabama and make the most of it. I've never been one to shy away from a challenge."
 
He took that challenge head on and earned a scholarship after playing in 10 games his freshman season of 2019; however, an ACL injury and change in coaching staff brought a new challenge to Carter.
 
"Coming back from my ACL injury the coaches at South Alabama met with me and told me they were thinking about switching me to running back," said Carter.
 
The switch to running back, while challenging, was nothing new to Carter, who comes from a proud family history of running backs.
 
His father Tony Carter played running back at South Carolina State before later joining the military, his oldest brother Dwayne lettered as a running back at Harding (Ark.), and his other older brother Michael played four years at North Carolina before being drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
 
"Playing running back wasn't new to me," said Carter. "I had to knock the rust off because I had played the position a bit in high school, and obviously I knew a lot about it because of my family."
 
After taking a redshirt year in 2021, Carter entered the transfer portal as a running back in search for a place that would look not at his measurables, but the strength and discipline he had on and off the field.
 
"Entering the portal was a shot in the dark because I didn't have a lot of film as a running back," said Carter. "It was difficult for me personally, but I relied on the strength of my family and the strength they instilled in me like I always had. Both my parents were in the military, I'm a reflection of them… and they always told me one decision can alter your life."
 
Carter made a life altering decision between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, committing to EKU after he was invited on a visit by offensive coordinator and running backs coach Andy Richman.
 
"When I came here, I really just liked what I saw from the start," said Carter. "Richmond was a nice change of pace compared to where I grew up in Florida. It offered less distractions and really just fit my vibe as a person. I like how tight-knit everyone is here, but I can still have quiet time with myself to focus and reflect."
 
The grass was not immediately greener on the other side, however. Carter found himself at a relatively still new position, in an unfamiliar place, and in a room filled with talented running backs, so it would be up to the Florida native to make his grass as green as he could.
 
"I had to work my way up to get on the field when I got here," said Carter. "We had and still do have a lot of talented guys in the running back room, so there was not going to be a lot of reps just handed out. I had to work my way up to the field when I got here, but I know hard work pays off… It's that belief that I was raised on."
 
His hard work began to bear fruit last season as he tallied a career-best 714 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 120 rushing attempts. With the performances came the accolades, as he earned All-UAC recognition from FCS Football Central and Phil Steele.
 
Now the Colonels number one back, Carter's strength and discipline has led to success and celebration on the field. Through seven games this season, he's produced 547 yards of offense on the ground and six touchdowns in the last five games.
 
Success and celebration has been hard earned by the once overlooked and undersized linebacker who found his gap after patiently waiting, and now continues the Carter family legacy of running backs.
 
Family remains at the center of Carter's plans whenever football comes to an end as well.
 
"I currently run a clothing brand with my brothers, named C3 Sports," said Carter. "Whenever football ends for me and even before then I plan on continuing to work on that with them and build our success together as a family."
 
With his track record of patience, strength, and discipline it will be no surprise to anyone who knows him when the business becomes a success, even if it does not come in a straight line, going "north to south."