Small school tackling machine

Junior To Watch: Greg Hurt

School: Elkin, North Carolina

Position: Linebacker and running back

Size and speed: Hurt is 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Honors: As a junior Hurt was named first team Smokey Mountain Conference as a linebacker. He has been nabbed as a preseason first team all-state prospect in North Carolina for next year.

Statistics: As a junior Hurt had an eye-popping 279 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three interceptions, five fumble recoveries and five pass breakups.

Favorite schools: Hurt's favorite schools are Virginia, UNC, NC State, Duke, Virginia Tech and Maryland, in that order.

Skinny: Hurt isn't the biggest player on the field most of the time by any means, but has great speed and absolutely no one can argue with his production.

"I'm just very aggressive all the time, and I'm always around the ball. I love to hit out there," said Hurt. "I had 212 solo tackles alone, and our team won the 1A state title in North Carolina."

The obvious response would be that Hurt's statistics are largely a result of the level of competition. But two years ago TA McLendon of Albemarle, N.C. came from a 1A high school program where he broke the national rushing touchdown record. Despite the small school and lower level of opponents, McLendon has proven himself to be one of the top sophomore running backs in the nation. And schools are beginning to take plenty of notice of Hurt.

"My uncle is a football coach and he did a sports resume for me and marketed me to over 50 schools. I'm getting a lot of letters and interest now. I think because I live in a small town it's hard to be discovered, but I've been proactive and now I'm receiving a lot of interest. I'm going to the Nike Camp at Virginia Tech, and UVA's camp."

Every school in the ACC has shown interest in Hurt, along with Virginia Tech, Temple and other smaller programs. UVA is his current leader, but the Cavs will have plenty of competition from the schools on Tobacco Road and others.

"The most important thing I'll be looking for is a school with the best combination of academics and football that I can find. I want to have a well-rounded experience, and now I'm hoping I'll have a lot of options.