Tigers, Cocks Heels offer RB

Junior To Watch: Albert Ashcraft

School: Monroe, N.C.

Position: Running back

Size and speed: Ashcraft is 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Honors: All-county, all-conference

Statistics: Ashcraft rushed for 1,037 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior.

Favorite schools: Clemson, Auburn, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.

Skinny: Ashcraft is one of the top running backs in the Atlantic area and already has offers from Clemson, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“I’m planning on camping at those schools,” he said. “I get a lot of mail from them but I’ve also been receiving mail from Michigan and Tennessee. I’m thinking about camping at Tennessee as well.”

Ashcraft is an excellent athlete according to his coach.

“He has a lot of skill and is very tall for a running back but also has great speed and agility,” said head coach Bobby Cloninger. “He’s such a great athlete that we’ll probably let him play different positions this year. He played a little free safety last year but we may turn him loose and let him play some linebacker as well. This year we’re also looking for Albert to carry the ball more and put up bigger numbers.”

Ashcraft is looking forward to a bigger role.

“I’m looking forward to my senior season,” he said. “We had some good senior running backs last year that I had to rotate with. I’ve waited my turn, now I’m ready to be the senior and look forward to getting the ball a lot more.”

All of his favorites are recruiting him as a running back except for Clemson. The Tigers will give him a look at running back, linebacker or free safety. Ashcraft doesn’t list any favorites at this time, but prefers running back.

“I want to play RB at the next level. I like running the ball and think that’s definitely what I’m best at doing.”