New Contenders For CB

One of the top cornerbacks on the east coast has received two big-time offers recently and that has changed the way he looks at things. Now Michael Hinton says Virginia Tech has moved up very high on his list.

"I just got an offer from Virginia Tech recently," said the 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive back. "They put some great defensive backs out and I like that they play so physical. Coach Beamer makes his teams play really disciplined and tough football. Whenever I watch Tech play they seem to be tougher than the other team. You have to like that.

"I also just received an offer from Tennessee, so they're higher on my list now too. They aren't playing as well as I thought they would this year, but they still have a great tradition of defensive backs and team defense. The idea of playing in front of over 100,000 people is amazing."

Hinton runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and really knows how to lay some incredible hits on receivers. He bench presses 330 pounds and squats about 455. He picked off nine passes as a senior in high school. This year at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military things have been a little different for the potential All-American.

"I've been playing safety exclusively. I'm doing pretty good, especially for a natural cornerback. We've got a lot of talent around me so that makes it easier to learn what to do and it could help me if I wind up at a school that needs me at safety. I feel like I'm more of a natural at corner though.

"I'm open right now between Virginia Tech, NC State and Tennessee. I like all three about even and I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Right now I'm really excited about Virginia Tech and their program, but NC State offered first and Tennessee plays in the SEC. They're about even."