Man among boys

THT Note: This article was written in November 2006, three months before Marvin Austin committed to the Heels.

But amid all that, Ballou is also home to senior defensive lineman Marvin Austin -- a talent so remarkable that no amount of budget constraints or outdated equipment can stand in his way. The 6-foot-3, 306-pounder, who's rated the nation's No. 1 defensive player and No. 3 overall recruit in the Class of 2007 by RISE, doesn't lift with state-of-the-art weights or receive one-on-one tutelage from specific position coaches like so many other top recruits across the country. (Sports Illustrated)