Coaches flock to Anson HS to visit Anthony and Ellerbe

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Mon Jan 24 22:19:31 GMT-04:00 2011

High school football season may be over, but Anson (Wadesboro, N.C.) High School head football coach Luke Hyatt still has plenty of busy days.

In addition to his usual role as football coach, Hyatt has had to play host to dozens of college coaches who find their way to the school to check in on Hyatt’s two hot prospects – linebacker Stephone Anthony and defensive back Brandon Ellerbe.

Ellerbe is a one-time Clemson commitment who is currently committed to the University of North Carolina. However, he visited Clemson a week ago, and the Tigers may still have a shot at his services.

Anthony is considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation, and he visited Clemson the same weekend. Last weekend, he made his official visit to Virginia Tech, and many people feel it will come down to the Tigers and the Hokies.

Hyatt said it becomes important to make sure the seniors aren’t overwhelmed with visitors.

“It has been extremely busy,” he told TigerNet Monday evening. “What we try to do is schedule it around their school schedules and basketball schedules. So far, it has worked out well, and the both of them are handling it well.”

Hyatt said he is close to Anthony, but he doesn’t know which way his linebacker is leaning.

“I really couldn’t tell you that right now,” Hyatt said. “I think he really likes both places, and both are getting a lot of consideration. I couldn’t say he has a favorite right now. I am not at liberty to say right now what he is thinking.

“I think he enjoyed his visit to Blacksburg. I haven’t spoken to him in person. Today was a teacher workday, so I haven’t gotten a chance to sit down and talk with him to see how it went. I don’t want to get too nosy; I just want to let the kids and their folks enjoy their time. It’s a hard decision to make, and I want to make sure they enjoy it as much as possible.”

Hyatt said Clemson fans, should the Tigers land Anthony, will love him both on and off the field.

“He is an unbelievable kid,” Hyatt said. “He is a high character kid. He is unmatched as far as the total package. He is a good football player, but he is just as good a person. That is a quality I admire about him, even more than the football part of it. He is an incredible kid – with manners and the right attitude.”

On the football field, however, he said Anthony has few peers.

“He has so many great attributes, you can just draw one out of a hat,” he said. “He is so long and athletic. And versatile. You can take him to almost any position on the field, and give him a five minute tutorial, and he will have it down for you. He is rangy, and he is great in pass coverage, or he can stuff the run in the box. He can play sideline to sideline.”

Anthony is scheduled to visit North Carolina this weekend which will be his final visit. Ellerbe reportedly canceled a visit to NC State for this weekend. Ellerbe also canceled a visit to North Carolina last weekend due to taking the SAT.