Thursday, May. 07, 2009

South Columbus (N.C.) tight end gaining offers

South Columbus (N.C.) football standout Ethan Farmer has emerged as a major prospect in the Class of 2010.

Farmer has picked up offers from Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, N.C. State and Virginia Tech over the past month, Stallions coach Jake Fonvielle said. Alabama offered the 6-foot-4, 275 pounder Monday.

The schools are recruiting Farmer, who has 4.8 speed, as a tight end or defensive end. Teams also know they could bulk him up and turn him into an offensive tackle, Fonvielle said.

Fonvielle sent out highlight films on Farmer and linebacker Jonathan Buffkin about a month ago, prompting an immediate offer from the Volunteers for Farmer.

"Once they offered, it really just picked up," the first-year coach said.

Buffkin, a 6-1, 190 pounder, hasn't drawn any offers yet, but Fonvielle is hoping that his instincts and athleticism could prompt a smaller FBS school to take a chance on him.