Top North Carolina DB to stay home

Shelby (N.C.) safety Van Eskridge is emerging as one of the top defensive prospects in the state. At 6-foot-1, and 185 pounds he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds and has contributed on both sides of the ball. Will this talented athlete make his home state proud?

“My favorite has always been Chapel Hill, but there is no clear-cut favorite right now,” he said. Boston College, LSU, Nebraska, NC State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest, along with the Tar Heels, are some of his early suitors.

“I am looking at academics before athletics,” Eskridge commented on his college criteria. “Then I am looking at the campus and the type of people at the school.”

He camped at Tennessee last summer and plans to camp at NC State, Virginia Tech and South Carolina this year. He attended the NC State – Maryland game last fall.

“First of all I am a smart player,” Van described his demeanor on the field. “I play with my head first, then I am physical. I cover a lot of ground and have a lot of range. I am athletic.”

While Van projects as a free safety at the next level, he is also receiving interest as a wide receiver. A three-year starter, he recorded six interceptions and 96 tackles as a junior, and also rushed for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in limited offensive action. An excellent athlete, he also participates on the basketball and track teams.

With a 3.1 GPA and a 920 on the SAT, Eskridge projects as a full qualifier. He plans to major in either business management or fashion design.