Competitive nature pushes Lions’ Carson Donnelly

Some people call him Don, which is understandable since the Briarwood Christian School senior safety’s name is Carson Donnelly. 

Perhaps a more apt nickname could stick by simply calling him The Don — the leader of a salty Lions defense. Fellow senior defensive back Andrew Sherrod said his friend since elementary school is a great teammate.

“He knows so much about the game of football and our opponents,” Sherrod said. “It's like we have another coach on the field with us during games. He is determined and passionate about football. We go out to the field on weekends to critique our game.”

Donnelly, who has played football since the third grade, was seemingly born with football ability and a competitive nature in his DNA. He grew up going to Briarwood games with his dad, Chris Donnelly, the Lions defensive backs coach who also played safety at the University of Alabama on the 1992 national championship team.

“I would ride the bus with the team and go to every game,” Carson Donnelly said. “This encouraged me to play football.”

Chris Donnelly has had a significant impact on his son’s life, both on and off the football field.

“For one, he is my position coach,” Carson Donnelly said. “He always pushes me in practice to keep me working hard. Many people think that we’re always talking football. But once we are off the football field, we don't discuss my football games much but rather other things like any father-son would. He is a godly man who leads by example. He always encourages me in mornings by texting me inspirational quotes or Bible verses that really help me throughout the day.”

Briarwood Christian School offers similar inspiration.

“The great education Briarwood provides allows me to be already ahead with my AP classes,” Carson Donnelly said. “Briarwood has helped me grow in my faith by being in a environment with such great godly influences all around me.”

On the field, Carson Donnelly has been a key contributor for a Lions program that has made the playoffs all four of his high school years. During his junior season, Briarwood allowed just 12.7 points per game and reached the Class 5A semifinals. The defense has been statistically better this season, allowing a shade over 10 points per game in its first nine games, all wins.

“Our ultimate goal is to win a state championship,” Carson Donnelly said in November, shortly before the playoffs began. “We can do that by staying focused each week by preparing and getting better each week no matter who we play.”

Sherrod said that Carson Donnelly’s competitiveness is what stands out the most to him. 

“I hate losing no matter what it is,” Carson Donnelly said. “I get really competitive whether it's a basic drill in practice, pingpong or simply a board game. I'd say pingpong really brings out the competitive side in me.”

Yes, pingpong.

Carson Donnelly said his plans for college are to accept a preferred walk-on spot at Clemson University to play for head coach Dabo Swinney, a college teammate of his dad’s. Swinney, a Pelham native, was a walk-on at the University of Alabama before earning a scholarship. 

“I've always dreamed about playing college football, and this is the best opportunity for me, and I couldn't think of a better coach in the country to play for than Coach Swinney,” Carson Donnelly said.

Maybe Carson Donnelly will follow a similar journey at one of college football’s emerging blue-blood programs, which earlier this year opened a state-of-the-art complex that includes a barber shop, arcade, billiards tables, bowling alley and indoor golf simulator.

Oh, and it also includes pingpong tables. Carson Donnelly will be right at home.