Speedster from 2009 class has offer

Running back Hunter Furr is one of the fastest prospects in the Class of 2009 and the speedster is transferring to Lewisville (N.C.) Mount Tabor for his junior season. Furr puts up big numbers on the football field and is looking to break a few track and field records in North Carolina. This past weekend he picked up his first verbal offer from an in-state school.

At 6-foot-0, Furr is up to 205 pounds and hopes to increase his weight to 220 over the next year. If he can continue to increase his speed he could become one of the top prospects in the region in the Class of 2009.

"I definitely want to run track in college, along with playing football," Furr said. "Last year I won the state championship in the 100, 200 and the 4 x 1 and 4 x 2 sprint relays. I've run a 10.53 in the 100 meter dash and at a combine not to long ago I was clocked at 4.27 in the 40-yard dash.

"I'm transferring to Mount Tabor and I'm learning how to be a more physical, powerful runner. My goal is to get up to around 220 pounds and still run the 40 in around 4.2, and get down to 10.2 or 10.3 in the 100."

Furr has good vision and has great cutback ability, in addition to his blazing speed. He's learning to use his size to his advantage in the hopes of becoming a more complete back. Not that he isn't already an appealing prospect. Recently Furr picked up his first verbal offer.

"I got an offer from Wake Forest, I guess it was Saturday," Furr said. "Their recruiting coordinator told our coach, Coach Stewart, that they wanted to offer me after we had a 7 on 7 passing tournament up there. That puts Wake in a good position but I'm not going to name a leader until I wait a little while and see what's out there. I like them just as good as any other school but I'm pretty wide open."

Wake Forest is likely to be just the first of many schools that will offer Furr, and the list of schools showing interest in the Mount Tabor back is impressive.

Tennessee and Clemson have shown the most interest, while North Carolina, NC State and Virginia have also notified him that he is a potential "scholarship player".

"Clemson, Wake and UNC have told me that they'll give me a shot at running back, but if it doesn't work out they'd like to move me to safety. A lot of people have told me I have the body and speed to make a good safety. All the others have just talked about using me at running back. I'd prefer to stay on offense, but I'd understand if a coach needed me somewhere else."

This summer Furr has camped and taken unofficial visits to Clemson and North Carolina. What will be the biggest factors when the time comes to make his decision?

"Really, academics are going to be the first thing I look at," he explained. "I'd like to get a degree from a good school first and foremost. But a lot of it is going to depend on the atmosphere at a school. I want to play some place where the fans are really passionate about football and they care a lot."

Last year Furr had 1,842 yards on 216 carries, reaching the endzone 30 times.