Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wolfpack, Gators eyeing Crest High sophomore

It started when Boiling Springs Crest Rhaheim Ledbetter’s freshman highlights were posted on Youtube.

“He had 101 tackles, and he knocked off four helmets,” said longtime Crest coach Roy Kirby today. “He’s the only ninth grader we’ve ever had to make all-conference.”

Some Florida coaches watched those highlights and called and invited him to camp next summer.

“I’ll probably drive down with him,” Kirby said. “Then N.C. State called and said, ‘The first legal day we can offer him (a scholarship) we will.”

Ledbetter is playing free safety and running back for the Chargers. He also plays varsity basketball and runs track. He’s already 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, with 4.45-second speed in the 40-yard dash.

“He starts at free safety, and he would probably push our starting running back except that we don’t want him on the field that much; we want him fresh,” Kirby said.

So Florida and N.C. State have started it. Watch everyone else get in line.

--Stan Olson

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