Humphries becoming a top-of-the-line player
Mallard Creek lineman has emerged as one of area's best junior prospects
By Langston Wertz Jr.
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Posted: Friday, Sep. 24, 2010
Mallard Creek offensive lineman D.J. Humphries has gone from one college football offer to more than 20 after attending a Virginia Tech football camp. "I was getting some interest before," Humphries said, "but after I did that camp, it just went to a different level." JEFF SINER -
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In May, Mallard Creek offensive lineman D.J. Humphries attended a football camp at Virginia Tech and his life changed.
Humphries, who is 6 feet 6 inches and 280 pounds, was named the top offensive lineman at a camp that featured a strong field of top college prospects.
ESPN's recruiting website wrote that Humphries was one of the more advanced high school offensive linemen seen last summer at any grade and said he could be the nation's top offensive tackle recruit in the class of 2012.
Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell agrees with that assessment, comparing Humphries to Xavier Nixon, a former Fayetteville Britt top 100 national recruit now playing at Florida.
"The Mallard Creek kid is a no-brainer," Farrell said. "He's really, really good. He reminds me a little of Xavier Nixon because he's tall, athletic and really hasn't filled out yet. Once he does, he's going to become something special."
Today, the Observer releases its list of the top five junior recruits in North and South Carolina, and Humphries heads the list in his home state. In fact, after speaking with recruiting analysts and coaches, it appears four of the top five are from the immediate Charlotte area: Humphries, Indian Trail Sun Valley receiver Jody Fuller, Berry running back Germone Hopper and Berry linebacker Nick Dawson.
All are getting used to the heavy recruiting attention they're receiving. For Humphries, he's gone from one offer - from Clemson - to more than 20 after attending the Virginia Tech camp.
He said that list of schools includes Clemson, Florida State, Louisiana State, Michigan, Notre Dame,
Ohio State, South Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
