Friday, June 5, 2009

Today's Sleeper: The long and the tall of it

HUNTER WESTFALL, Tight End, Myers Park

You want to catch a recruiter’s attention quickly? Try being 6-foot-7, like Hunter Westfall. The Mustang’s rising senior is still just 220 pounds, though, and that has been keeping him sleeping.

That will change as his extra-long frame fills out, probably enough for him to play offensive line in college.

His chance to awaken scouts to his potential also was limited last season, as he managed just 10 catches while playing behind all-conference performer Banks Jenkins.

Now it’s his turn, and Hunter runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and has turned in a remarkable 4.28-second pro shuttle, which measures agility. He can also bench-press 275 pounds.

Keep in mind, Westfall is still just 16. And he should broaden his appeal by also playing defensive end this season. He has no firm offers yet, but that should change as his weight and on-field performance have a chance to catch up with his height.

He is athletic; an AAU basketball player whose dad, Lake Westfall, played LB at Duke. Oh, and he helped rebuild houses in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.

So far, Hunter is camping at Furman, Elon, Richmond and Duke. --Stan Olson

Our Sleeper of the Day item targets under-noticed Carolinas football recruiting prospects. As always, if you have a candidate, email me at solson@charlotteobserver.com.

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