(Linebacker Prince Shembo from Ardrey Kell High School performs an exercise with a medicine ball at April's N.C. Shrine Bowl football combine at Butler High School. STAFF FILE PHOTO)
Each day this week, The Observer will rank the top five prospects in the Carolinas by position as we track their recruiting. Today we present the best linebackers in the area—our Lawrence Taylor wanna-bes. The first four of these guys are members of their state’s Observer Top 25 prospects list. If you have a question or can think of a player we’ve missed, email me at solson@charlotteobserver.com
1/CHRISTIAN MCCAIN, Northern Guilford: It’s highly likely that the 6-foot-5½, 196-pound McCain will bulk up and play DE in college, but he’s been an LB throughout his prep career and, with 4.7 speed in the 40-yard dash, could remain there. As a junior, McCain led Northern Guilford in tackles with 97, including 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also blocked a kick and produced a safety. Offers have arrived from ECU, Florida State, N.C. State, South Carolina, Syracuse and Virginia Tech, among others.
2/PRINCE SHEMBO, Ardrey Kell: Shembo is the reverse of McCain, spending time at DE in high school but, at 6-2 and 225 pounds with 4.65 speed, probably better suited for LB at the next level. As a junior, he made 90 tackles, including eight sacks, and intercepted two passes. Among those recruiting him are Clemson, Duke, UNC, N.C. State, Notre Dame, Stanford and Virginia Tech.
3/KENDALL MOORE, Southeast Raleigh: Similar to Shembo in size (6-2½, 229) and speed (4.7), and it likely translates to middle linebacker in college. As a junior, Moore was all over the place, making 125 tackles with seven sacks. He also had 30 receptions and seven TDs on offense. Numerous schools are chasing him, including Duke, ECU, UNC, N.C. State, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Wake Forest.
4/JUSTIN PARKER, Beaufort (S.C.): As a junior, the 6-2, 225-pound Parker made 97 tackles and had three interceptions from his ILB position. He could play OLB in college; Beaufort coach Mark Clifford calls him “A great open-field tackler.” Clemson, Georgia, Maryland, N.C. State, South Carolina, Syracuse and Wake Forest are some of the schools recruiting him.
5/TY LINTON, Charlotte Christian: A tough call for this spot between Linton and teammates Kelby Brown and David Durham. Linton should make a fine outside linebacker in college; he’s 6-3 and 210 pounds with 4.5 speed. Last year he was in on 74 tackles, with 6.5 sacks and 7 passes defensed. He has offers from Duke, East Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Wake Forest, Louisville, Syracuse, West Virginia, Illinois and Wisconsin.
TOMORROW: Defensive backs
--Stan Olson
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17 comments:
Nathan "Hotdog" Wheatroll from Duplin Greyfield HS is a real sleeper. 6' 3 7/8" 387lbs is the fastest guy for his size in the nation. Last year had 36 solo tackles in one game. This guy plays QB on offense. He was clocked at 5.7 in the 40 but the time was never officially recorded because "Hotdog" broke the guys neck that recorded the time. ACC schools do not miss out. He is currently being recruited by The University of Phoenix and LaSalle Locksmith and Accounting School.
Charlotte Christian ran and passed all over McCain and his teammates from Northern Guilford last year, 500 yards of offense. Linton is the top LB in the state, with Durham and Brown tied for second. Shembo is very good also. No contest here.
This is a NC Newspaper because there is no way Justin Parker should not be # 1 time will tell trust me "TIME WILL TELL"
In addition to Ty's offers, Kelby Brown has offers from Wisconsin, Indiana and Duke. And David Durham - well, he has already committed to The Ohio State University. Christian's core of linebackers will be the best with another state championship in 2009!
Kameron Davis from Douglas Byrd is a helluva player 5-11 235 and runs a 4.6.He should have a breakout season.
I must say Justin Parker is a player that will turn heads 6'2 225 4.65 40 bp 340 sq 425 pc 325 this guy is a monster will be a great addition to any team.He should be higher on list.
Justin Parker will turn heads? Kelby Brown benches 30 more pounds than him. Don't list someone's weightlifting stats to impress on here. The Observer won't give Christian dap for having 3 of the best linebackers in the state. David Durham is committed to Ohio State for goodness sakes!
Look up rivals.com or scout.com or something. It's fairly obvious that Shembo is the weakest prospect you got on here. Take a visit to either site and you'll quickly find out he's not ranked as high as everybody else on this list nor anyone from Charlotte Christian linebacking core. There is no way possible that a private school has as good (or better) players than a public school. (gasp!)
Christian has the best linebacking core in the state public or private. All 3 backers (Linton, Durham, and Brown) are BCS football players with at least 5 offers any many more coming. So please tell me if there is any public school in north carolina better than that. And if you dont believe me come to a game and you will learn quickly.!!! Shembo is a freak and should not be disrepected, He belongs on this list no doubt.
Shembo squats 540 lbs. so lets have a weight lifting contest....
What's scary is that Linton, Durham, Shembo and QB Anthony Boone were all on the same middle school team at Weddington four years ago.
Justin "THE TRUTH" Parker
sorry,,but i think Shembo is over rated,,,,,,,,,good ATH,,but not D1, kid made all meck as 10th grader, Langston's doing,,then had an average 11th grade year and made it again, please, runs a 4.8,,at the combine,,wish the best to him down the road
Add two more big time D-1 recruits to that same middle school team-- Braxton Deaver (Providence)and Darius Kilgo (Weddington).
It's very difficult for the Observer or Rivals or anyone else to rate and compare HS kids in numerical order. That being said, after watching Durham's film and reading his bio on Rivals, I see why Jim Tressel and Ohio State jumped on this kid early and secured him as one of their earliest commitments. He has torn up competition at the highest level in Texas and is an All-State wrestler. There are some great athletes here in the Carolina's, but we aren't where Texas, Florida and other states are. I would find it hard to believe there are five better linebackers in the two state area than this kid - he is legit. This season should be interesting to watch!
First of all who said Prince runs a 4.8 he runs a 4.6. He is a 100% D1 athlete. The boy is a freak, his game speed is way faster than his forty. I think he is the next fastest after Linton. Prince, Linton, Durham, and Moore are all freaks. If you meet them in person and been to each of their games then you'll know. I also watched that middle team play from weddington. Shembo and Durham are great buddies and have a very similar playing stlyes. The only difference Durham is bigger up top and Shembo is bigger down low and quicker. Kendall Moore great athlete. I think him and Shembo are trying to go the same school. They were both at Notre Dame the past weekend, but all excellent football players. If we talk about teams Christian is top, then Moores team, and last Shembo's. Ardrey Kell doesnt have many athletes. Thats why I respect Shembo because he doesnt play with much talent around him and I think everyone knows that.
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