Offers are piling up for junior NC athlete

Scholarships are piling up for versatile athlete Germone Hopper out of Charlotte (N.C.) Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology. The 6-foot-0, 175-pounder holds eight offers according to his coach and has plenty of other interest.

"He did phenomenal for us this year," Berry assistant John Simmons said of Hopper. "He was a running back for us, but is projected to be a wide receiver at the next level. He does it all, all over the field for us.

"He had 1,359-yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, 436-yards receiving and four touchdowns, a punt return, a kick return for 106-yards. He accounted for 2,200-yards total. With the ball in his hands, he's really magic. He makes cuts and has feet and vision, those are his best assets. Nobody can really tackle him the first time out, he'll make you miss.

"He is just one of those once in a lifetime kids. He gives you the total package. He works his tail off in the weight room, classroom and has been surrounded by the right people for a long time. He actually got his name out there because he befriended Benson Buckner who I think goes to his church. He got to know him and that helped get him his initial exposure in recruiting."

So, strictly as a receiver, what sticks out about Hopper?

"That's the position colleges prefer," he said. "You look at his frame and he can still add weight. He can be 200-pounds and is good out in space. He didn't even play receiver until this past spring when he made the switch from running back at the VTO Elite 100 and came away winning the wide receiver MVP award. He fully embraced it this year. To me, he's one of those reverse bubble screen type of guys."

Outside of his accolades in football, Hopper is a tremendous athlete too.

"He runs track as well and came in the state meet fourth and that was his first year running."

Plenty of colleges have taken a serious interest as offers are on the table from many across the region.

"Clemson, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, North Carolina, NC State, East Carolina and Virginia have offered," he said. "He got a bunch of those offers very recently. Virginia came yesterday and offered. He got offers last week from Maryland, Louisville, Kentucky and North Carolina, they all offered on the spot.

"He's taking it all in stride. He's still humble, but excited for the opportunity."

With numerous offers and likely many more to come, does Hopper like anybody in the early going?

"We've made it a point to go to all the local schools, North Carolina, Clemson and NC State," he said. "He liked NC State, he liked the set up and the night game with all the fans there. He likes Clemson as well though, how he interacts with them. I'd say those two he probably likes the most so far, but all the other schools came in last week."