Early leader for N.C. defensive tackle
MONROE, N.C.- One program has a big early lead for Parkwood High defensive tackle Nikos Little. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder could be another Division I-A-bound prospect along the traditionally talent-rich U.S.-74 corridor in the state of North Carolina for the Class of 2008.
Clemson, where Little's cousin Sadat Chambers plays football, is the team to beat. The big defensive tackle went to Death Valley to see the Tigers play Louisiana Tech this past season.
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"I like the environment at Clemson," he said. "When you go in that stadium, everybody in there is wild. They also use the defensive line good. Most of the defensive line is fast, like me."
The Tigers have not extended a written scholarship offer to Little. Would an offer make him consider an early verbal commitment?
"Yes, it would (make me think about committing)," Little said. "Clemson is that far ahead."
Wake Forest also is a program that has caught Little's eye.
"I haven't been up to Wake Forest," he said. "But I like the way they turned their program around this year.
"I'm looking for someplace to have fun and play ball."
There are many reasons that Little, who has been hand-timed on a track as fast as 4.6-seconds in the 40-yard dash, believes he is a Division I-A-quality defensive lineman.
"I think because of my speed, my size and my strength and the will to be the best player around here," he said. "Most of the time I try to fire myself up and I like getting hyped up with my teammates. But I want to get faster stronger and better at this game I play. I want to try to make plays."
He added that the program at Parkwood High has helped him emerge as a prospect.
"If you aren't doing as good as they know you can do, they will sit you down and talk to you or they will make you play better," Little said.