Junior defensive end has early favorite

The Norcross High School program produces Division I talent year in and year out, and the 2011 class is not going to be any different. Alabama DE commitment Adrian Hubbard was a sleeper to emerge late in the 2010 process for Norcross this year, but another defensive end to keep a close eye on is junior Demetrius Alston.

South Carolina has an excellent set of defensive ends, but with veterans Cliff Matthews and Clifton Geathers set to graduate and head on to the next level in the coming years, the Gamecocks must prepare to reload off the edge. Alston will be one to watch where USC is concerned, and several schools have already taken notice of the 6-3, 230 pounder.

“Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Alabama and a lot of other schools have shown interest in me," said Alston. "South Carolina has been the only one who has talked about offering me. I went to a camp there last summer. and Coach (Shane) Beamer asked if I would be interested and told me a lot about the program. He said they will keep in contact with me and may offer.”

Is there an early favorite with the 2011 defensive end? Is South Carolina destined to land Alston if an offer were to be extended?

“I would say South Carolina is my early favorite," said the Peach State lineman. "All of my family is from Charleston, and I would love to play at South Carolina in front of them. I would commit if they were to offer me. I loved my visit there and being close to my family in South Carolina would be huge.”

Alston racked up 94 tackles this season while playing a combination of defensive end, linebacker and defensive tackle. The future is bright for Alston as he is just beginning to hit the weight room and is currently benching 265, squatting 395 and has a power clean of 280 pounds.