Pack Leads For Trinity RB
RB John McEachin of Trinity (NC) High School has quietly emerged as one of the state’s
top RB’s. While players like George Bell of Fayetteville, Andre Brown of Greenville and
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Jamal Edwards of Greensboro have garnered most of the recruiting attention, Mceachin
has gone about the business of racking up some incredible rushing numbers this year and
college recruiters have certainly taken notice.
Listed at 5-10, 185 pounds, McEachin boasts a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and he’s used
that speed to rack up close to 2,300 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns this year in leading
the Bulldogs to a 6-4 record and berth in the state 3A playoffs.
McEachin’s numbers as a senior are right in line with his production as a junior. He finished
off the 2002 season with 2,342 yards rushing and 28 scores en route to being named the
county and conference player of the year, despite missing three games due to injury.
McEachin talked about what he feels are his strengths when the lights go up on Friday
nights.
“I feel like I have good vision and I see the field real well,” McEachin said. “I set up my
blocks pretty good. I’m not the fastest guy, I mean I don’t run a 4.3 or nothing like that, but if
I get out in the open field- I’m not going to say no one’s going to catch me- but it’s going to
be hard to catch me.”
Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming was impressed enough with the Shrine Bowl selection’s
potential to award him a 4-star ranking and write, “On film, John shows me he is an
instinctive runner who follows his blockers well and can see the holes when they open. He
shows excellent vision, good quickness and gets better as the game progresses.”
McEachin has received a ton of recruiting interest and is hearing regularly from schools like
South Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Florida, East Carolina, Wake Forest and UNC. Although
schools love his talent and potential on the collegiate level, all have taken a wait and see
approach as McEachin works hard to qualify academically.
“I need to get my SAT basically,” said McEachin. “If I had got that score, I’d have some
offers but that’s what’s holding me back. Most all of the schools have been talking about me
going to prep school if I don’t get the grades but all of them want me to qualify.”
Should he gets the grades, three schools look to be the odds-on favorite to land his
signature with NC State heading the field.
“I like State, Virginia Tech and South Carolina,” said McEachin. State’s my favorite right
now but I like Virginia Tech a lot too.”
McEachin has been in attendance for nearly all of NC State’s home games this year and he
talked about why the Pack has emerged as the leader for his services.
“They got nice facilities,” he said. “Their program has come along big-time. They did good
last year so that means they’ve got in a lot of good recruits which means they’ll just get
better. I like coach Williams (Pack DB coach Greg Williams) for one. He’s a pretty cool
coach. I just like their players. I like Greg Golden. I like TA. And Chuck, he seems like a
nice guy- and really, I like their whole coaching staff.”
McEachin stated that Virginia Tech was a close second to the Wolfpack with South
Carolina rounding out his top three. He said that he hopes to see the Gamecocks in person
later this year.
“South Carolina has invited me to a lot of games but I just don’t have the chance to go,” he
said. “I might make that game when they play Florida. I haven’t had a chance to see their
facilities or meet their coaches yet.”
While most project him strictly as a RB, the possibility is there that McEachin could get a
look at DB in college. Whatever the position, the speedy athlete says he simply wants the
opportunity to get on the field.
“I want to play RB but I would play DB if it was for the better,” he said. “I just want a chance.
If I get a chance then that’s all I ask. I mean, if I have to play behind somebody then that’s
fine with me. I’ll just do what I can to get in the lineup.”
McEachin is undecided on a college major.
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