Smithfield has two more in 2008

Smithfield, Va. is home to one of the state's top players in running back Dyrell Roberts. Head coach Chris Fraser claims the school has two more players to watch this year.

One is 6-foot-1, 262-pound defensive tackle Dustin Hornsby.

"He was an all-state AA player as a sophomore, but his junior year wasn't good," he said. "He hurt his knee in the fourth week and didn't play much the rest of the year."

What stands out about Hornsby on the field?

"To be honest, in a nutshell when we lost him last year we lost our identity and toughness as a team," he said. "He was one of the best players I had seen in a while. He's a hardnosed, nasty football player and one of those players that seek out contact. On offense, he anchored a line that ran for 2,300 yards and he was a main reason for that.

"Personally I think because of his height, defense is his position. He's easily got the potential to get up to 280-285-pounds. He's got a great frame too."

Off the field, Fraser spoke highly of his lineman.

"He's a great kid that comes from a terrific family," he said. "He's also a very good student with a 3.7 GPA and is first in his class. He's a leader and a fine young man."

As far as recruiting, Hornsby is under the radar.

"No one has really taken an interest because of his injury last year, but we're trying to market him now."

Meanwhile, Smithfield has another tailback to watch in 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back Eddie Hamlin.

"He's actually about to leave us for Fork Union," Fraser said. "It's not his grades at all, it's actually his age. He's 19 too early and that means in the state of Virginia he isn't eligible to play.

"Eddie is a Division I level talent. Along with Dyrell, he's the best pure athlete we have and it would have been great if he could come back next year."

What stands out about Hamlin on the field?

"He started for us for three years and was one of the biggest reasons for the turn around in the program," he said. "I can't say enough about him. He got beat up and takes the punishment and still runs hard. He ran for 1,000 yards last year.

"Off the field, he's a fine young man with good character. He's worked hard on his grades and is around a 2.7 GPA."

So far plenty of schools have taken an interest in Hamlin including Virginia, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Boston College and East Carolina.