N.C. is absolutely loaded with junior prospects

This hasn’t been a great year for senior football talent in the state of North Carolina. The Class of 2010 has some spectacular players like DE Gabe King and OT Robert Crisp, but the depth simply isn’t there.

Just wait.

The Class of 2011 is jam-packed with kids who can play.

An example is Durham Hillside High, where coach Antonio King is licking his lips in anticipation as he watches his juniors run around in practice.

He starts with QB Vad Lee, of course, a junior who is already high on colleges’ recruiting boards. But he goes on from there—and on.

“We have literally 15 kids in our junior class who will be recruited by Division I schools if everything goes well for them,” King said. “It is amazing. I have never heard of a high school program having that many recruitable kids in one class before.”

Compare that with Hillside’s current seniors. King says three are drawing significant recruiting attention.

So next year should be interesting at Hillside, but it should be interesting across the state.

Ask Waxhaw Marvin Ridge High coach Scott Chadwick about his seniors who are attracting attention, and he names one. He follows that up with six juniors, although that could change over the course of the season, as it could at any school.

Simply put, though, if the state of North Carolina’s 2010 targets are a bit limited, just give it a year. Because 2011 is right around the corner.

--Stan Olson