Phifer a top back in 2009

Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown has gotten off to a slow start in 2007, losing each of their first two games. Running back Sterling Phifer is a reason they still have hope, and plenty of schools have the 5-foot-10, 200 pound back on their radar. With good vision and the ability to run through the tackles, Phifer has as much upside as nearly any back in Virginia's Class of 2009.

Landstown finished with an 8-2 mark last season as Phifer, then a sophomore, rushed for more than 1,100 yards. If his offensive line can pave some holes, Landstown has reason to hope for a strong finish.

"The best part about my game is probably my power," Phifer said. "I've got some speed and I can cut well. My vision is really good too.

"I don't know my stats so far from this year but I've been pretty satisfied with how I've played. We're 0-2 but that's going to change soon."

Four schools have caught the junior's eye, and there seems to be a common theme with all of them - a desire to run the football.

"My favorites are probably Virginia Tech, Virginia, Oklahoma and West Virginia," he said. "There are some others like Auburn that I'd put up there. Just a bunch of places that run the ball. I'll have to talk to my mom about it. I'd like to play some place where they like to run the ball. I'm going to look at other stuff too though.

"Do they really need me or do they just want me? I'll ask myself that. I'll try to find a school that has a good campus, and I want to know that they're going to treat me and my family well."

Phifer attended a camp at Penn State this fall and will be auditioning for scholarship offers every time he takes the field from here on out.