Three lead for Crouch

Offensive/defensive tackle Curtis Crouch is making a name for himself as one of the top prospects in North Carolina. With a recent offer from a college football heavyweight, Crouch's name can now be mentioned in the same breath as the nation's elite.

"Oklahoma offered me a scholarship a little more than a week ago," said Crouch. "That was somewhat of a shock to me, but I was confident that the bigger name schools would find out about me sooner or later. NC State and East Carolina have also offered me."

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman from Fayetteville (N.C.) E.E. Smith runs the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds and bench presses 335 pounds. Who are his favorites?

"NC State has been right up there all along because they were the first school to show a lot of interest in me," he said. "I like their coaches, facilities, the school and I think their football program is on the rise. They've built a nice offensive line and I know they have a lot of young talent on the defensive line. It would be fun to play with some of those guys.

"I like Tennessee a lot too. Even though they aren't in this state, if you're in North Carolina you hear a lot from them. They have a great program and great fans. Now that Oklahoma has offered you can put them in my top three too. When it comes to winning in the past few years they've been as good as anybody. Coach Stoops might be the best coach in the country. I know it's a long ways from home, but when Oklahoma offers you have to listen."

Crouch also mentioned Virginia Tech, Georgia and Virginia as schools he's open to hearing from.