A 1926 graduate of RFHS, Carlo earned 12 varsity letters in the sports of football, basketball, and track. He earned All-Conference honors in football and basketball. He helped lead RFHS to the basketball Conference Championship in 1925.

Upon graduation, Carlo attended the University of Iowa on a basketball scholarship. However, Carlo decided to play football once arriving in Iowa City and quarterbacked the Hawkeyes during the 1927-1929 seasons. HE played professionally with the Ironton Tanks of Ohio in the early beginnings of pro football.