After hundreds of college football prospects were selected in the 2015 NFL Draft on April 30 through May 2, former Sacramento State receiver DeAndre Carter was disappointed he wasn’t one of the players to get his name called, but still received an opportunity of a lifetime.

Carter signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent, he announced on his Twitter account shortly after the draft concluded.

When Carter received the call from a representative with the franchise, he was excited about the chance.

“Being able to continue [my football career] and become a Baltimore Raven and become a part of Raven nation is a great opportunity,” Carter said. “It’s a very prestigious and well-known franchise in the league and they compete, they compete every year for the playoffs and the Super Bowl and I can’t wait to go there and start winning.”

Ravens scout Ian Cunningham met with Carter during the NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl in January and the two have talked on and off since.

Carter also got a chance to speak with Ravens’ offensive coordinator Marc Trestman and receivers coach Bobby Engram during the pre-draft process.

He also said the signing was a good fit for him to begin his NFL career.

“I feel like they really want me there,” he said. “They really want me to succeed and give me that opportunity and make the team.”

Joining the Ravens will give Carter an opportunity to work alongside Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith, someone he idolized throughout college and high school.

“He’s somebody I could learn from,” Carter said. “He’s been in the game for 15 years … [I could] pick his brain about the position, his career, the league and try to take some of the things in his game and add to mine.”

Not being selected in the draft is something that Carter will think about, as he will join the Ravens at mini-camp on May 8-11.

“I was mad about it,” he said. “I’m happy to be in the situation that I am, but not getting drafted just adds another chip to my shoulder, and I’m going to continue with that chip on shoulder to go out and prove to all the teams that didn’t take me that they made a mistake.”

With the Ravens releasing return specialist Jacoby Jones in February, Carter sees an opportunity to contribute on special teams as a kick and punt returner and make the 53-man roster in the fall.

“That’s a spot that’s there for me to work to try to win that job,” he said. “[There’s] a lot of opportunities that I see within the roster that I can make the team and be successful.”

Carter’s offseason receivers coach Rick Gatewood said he’s thrilled to see him get the opportunity of competing in the NFL.

“I told him special teams, special teams, special teams, special teams, I said it like 10 times,” Gatewood said. “I think that’s what he could bring to the team, as far as them losing Jacoby [Jones], it’ll probably give him the opportunity to return some kicks and punts. That’s going to be very vital for him trying to make the roster and then they’ll start finding ways to get him [playing] at wideout. I think the opportunity is very good for him there in Baltimore just on special teams alone.”

When Carter’s younger brother, Kaylan, 17, died of cardiac arrest during Carter’s junior season in 2013, it was something that motivated the speedy receiver to accomplish his dream of making it to the NFL.

Carter fulfilled the promise he made to his brother: that he would make it to the NFL.

“I just hope he’s proud of me, [of] everything I’ve done,” he said. “Up until this point, my senior season, my junior season, all the work I put in, it was all for him.”

Ever since Kaylan’s death, Carter pointed to the sky after every touchdown he scored and dedicated every game to his late brother.

“We’re here now,” Carter said. “It’s time to move on to the next part of life and move on to the next journey. I just hope he’s proud of me. I love him, I miss him and I know he’s watching down on me. He helped me through this.”

Carter won’t be the only former Hornet to compete for an NFL roster spot, as former Sac State quarterback Garrett Safron was invited to try out for the Oakland Raiders during their rookie mini-camp.

“They’re tremendous ball players and tremendous people as well,” said Hornets coach Jody Sears. “I think the people that took the time to give them the opportunity, I don’t think they’ll be disappointed and I wish them nothing but the best.”

Last season, Safron and Carter accounted for the majority of the Hornets’ offense, as both ended their Sac State careers on a historic note.

Safron broke single-season records for passing yards (3,490), passing touchdowns (34) and pass efficiency (151.8). Carter claimed the single-season records in receiving yards (1,321), receptions (99) and touchdowns (17).

“I think they will do well,” Sears said. “They’re great competitors and they’re good ball players.”