North Carolina LB on the rise
One of North Carolina's top linebackers can't help but laugh when you ask him
about role models for his position.
Advertisement
"I really didn't have any," said Wilson Hunt's
Stephen Finch. "I was playing offensive guard when I was in ninth grade
and I was at defensive end as a sophomore. I never had any idea I'd be playing
linebacker.
"But now I'm glad I made the switch. I never dreamed I'd
be getting letters to play college football and invited to all these camps. I
love being a linebacker."
After a brief adjustment period, Finch (6-3, 225, 4.7)
thrived at his position as a junior. He recorded a team-high 130 tackles
(including 15 in one game) to earn all-conference and all-area honors.
Now the college recruiters are lining up to see if he
can take that production to the next level.
"I've been getting letters and calls from about 25 D-I
schools," Finch said. "All the North Carolina schools, several in the ACC, East
Carolina and UConn to name a few. The latest to contact me a lot is Virginia.
I've probably gotten 20 things from them the last month and talked to their
coaches on the phone."
Finch says his childhood favorite was N.C. State, but
has since taken a liking to the rival Tarheels.
"I always wanted to go to N.C. State as a kid, but they
are in the position now where they really don't need many linebackers," he said.
"North Carolina just lost a lot of them this past year and their coaches told me
they're going to sign at least four. That's what got my attention.
"They're both good programs, but with North Carolina,
I've really seen a lot of good things out of their coaching staff. I really like
(UNC linebacker coach) Dave Huxtable. Mainly, I just want to stay at home,
represent the state of North Carolina. A lot of our top players end up going out
of state, places like Tennessee or Florida State. I don't want to do that."
He said his current top three are UNC, ECU and N.C.
State. He plans to camp at all three schools this summer.
Finch (280 bench, 430 squat) was recently selected by
Student Sports magazine as the No. 2 linebacker at the Chapel Hill Nike
camp.