CINCINNATI — As the Bengals gear up to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship on Sunday night, one hometown kid is making just his second career start for the black and orange. 

Nearly two years ago, we were there when Jackson Carman got the best call of his life, when he was drafted in the second round by the Bengals. Now the left tackle is preparing to make his second career start, his first being in the divisional playoff win against Buffalo last weekend. But for Carman, it’s more than what he’s doing on the field.

“It’s a blessing for sure," Carman said. "Being able to be from the city and be able to inspire other kids who are on the same path as me is more than you could ask for.”

Carman is a Cincinnati kid. He was born here and played at Fairfield High School. 

“Jackson, obviously, when he was at Clemson playing left tackle which is now what he’s playing for the Bengals," Jason Krause, Carman’s high school coach, said.

Jason Krause, Carman's high school coach, points out the pictures of Carman on their walls. (Spectrum News 1/ Katie Kapusta)

Inside Fairfield’s football facility you’ll find lots of pictures, including several of Carman. Krause has pictures of all his former players that have moved on to the next level in college on a wall. And now, there's an NFL wall.

“We’re hoping to add more to that wall obviously," Krause said.

Jackson Carman is on the NFL wall at the Fairfield High School Football facility. (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

Which includes Carman and Josiah Scott, who plays for the Eagles.

“As a high school program to have one guy in the NFL is a big deal, but to have two is obviously an even bigger deal," Krause said. "There’s not a whole lot of high schools that have that.”

Carman said Krause is one of his closest mentors in his circle.

“Just a great man," Carman said. "I really can’t say enough about that guy. He took my family all the way up to Buffalo, six-hour drive in the snow. He’s always been there for me since I was a little kid in high school and trying to figure out life.”

And Krause did just that, packing up and driving to Buffalo with Carman’s family.

Jason Krause (left) and Carman's family at the Buffalo game. (Courtesy of Jason Krause)

“When he found out he was starting left tackle, we talked and he asked if we would go, me and a couple of his family members rode together," Krause said. "And we said, man, if you’re starting we’ll drive wherever!”

That start was No. 79’s first, something Bengals and NFL fans were wary about. But Carman knew he was up to the task.

“Just coming to work every day and staying in that consistent mindset and just trying to get better every day in every area," Carman said. "Loving yourself and forgiving yourself and being able to move forward through your mistakes and still stack days and get better.”

And after seeing his former player’s performance, Krause said he was proud of what he saw on the field.

“Validating," Krause said. "It’s hard to read some of the stuff that people say and obviously we tell ourselves don’t pay attention to that, we tell our players and especially like Jackson don’t read those things. To have him play so well is a little bit validating that we knew what kind of player he was and we believed in him the whole time and so it felt really good.”