For a player nominated as a preseason first-team all-state defensive back by NCPreps.com, Seventy-First (Fayetteville, N.C.) star senior James Hopper sure is doing well on the offensive side of the ball. The 5-10, 180-pound Virginia Tech commitment has totaled 327 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in four games, averaging almost eight yards per carry.
"I think I developed a lot, as a person and as a football player. This year, my speed and strength and agility have changed a lot. I'm playing offense a lot and scoring easily. Things I didn't think I could do last year I'm doing now," said Hopper, who also returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown and returned another punt 55 yards.