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Richmond Co. star poised to join Pirates
From Bonesville.net staff reports
East Carolina's already-noteworthy
2006 recruiting class appears on the verge
of being further enhanced with a late commitment from record-setting running
back Norman Whitley of Richmond County's powerhouse program.
Whitley visited ECU on the weekend of Jan. 28 and followed that by confiding
in those close to him that he planned to join the Pirate program.
He is expected to make an
official announcement on
signing day (Wednesday) at his school.
Richmond County's football program is directed by
ECU Hall of Famer and former Pirate coach Ed Emory.
Whitley led the Raiders to the state 4-AA third round, setting school
records at a program that has won six state titles. He set school marks with
3,700 all-purpose yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior.
He won the offensive MVP award at the Shrine Bowl as he rushed for 132 yards
and two touchdowns in a 28-24 North Carolina victory.
Some questioned Whitley's size (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) on the college level,
but he will be tutored by ECU running backs coach Junior Smith, who, despite
being considered small by some, became the Pirate program's career rushing
leader during his playing days (1991-94).
North Carolina and Virginia expressed recruiting interest in Whitley, rated
a Top 30 prospect in the state in the preseason. He visited Marshall and
also considered an offer from 2005 Division I-AA national champion
Appalachian State.
©2006 Bonesville.net. All rights rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bonesville.net contributed to
this report.
02/23/2007 01:25:43 PM |
