First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA) junior Connor Mewbourne , a 6-4, 270-pound offensive/defensive lineman, caught the attention of college recruiters as a result of his play last season. For now, it seems as though college coaches like Mewbourne on the offensive side of the ball.

“Really, Connor was kind of an unknown,” First Colonial head coach Bill McTyre said. “When coaches came in to tidy up business in January, they had a chance to sit down and look at his highlight tape. N.C. State hopped on him quick. Virginia Tech wants him up there. They’ve invited him to camp. The feedback has been really positive. Those are the two main ones, but the ones that have seen him seem real excited. ECU, Virginia…they like him. Louisville has been in contact. Northwestern has been in contact.

“Connor is a big-framed kid. You look at him and see he could easily carry 320 pounds. Actually, N.C. State commented that he is the perfect center in their scheme. In his highlights, most of his strengths are on the offensive side of the ball. He has long arms. He primarily took snaps on offense. We used him some at defensive end and some at defensive tackle, depending on the scheme. I think the ingredients are really good for him to be an offensive lineman on the next level.”

Mewbourne was thrust onto the varsity level in 2007. He played defensive end, but he was undersized and lacked strength against opposing offensive tackles. Coach McTyre moved Mewbourne down to the junior varsity level in 2008.

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