Heels, Pack co-leaders for Ashcraft

North Carolina and NC State both pulled in two of the nation's top recruiting classes a year ago, and they're going head to head for more top recruits in-state this year. The two Tobacco Road schools are in a heated battle for running back Albert Ashcraft.

For quite a while Ashcraft listed Clemson as his favorite. That has changed recently.

"The more I think about it, the more I think about staying in my home state," he said. "Clemson is definitely still up there on my list, but I'd say UNC and NC State are the two schools at the very top."

Does he have any visits scheduled?

"I think I'll be at the Clemson-Virginia game this Saturday on an official visit to Clemson. I want to try to go on officials to UNC and NC State too. A few UNC coaches came to my last game, which was pretty cool. I can tell they seem really interested in me. I did go to the UNC-Florida State game early in the season."

While he's not closing too many doors yet, Ashcraft is looking for at least one thing in particular that he won't compromise on.

"I want to be a running back in college," he said. "Or at least get the chance to play there. That's definitely my favorite position and where I have the most potential. Those schools have told me they think I could play running back, so that's important."