Hometown/School: Teachey, N.C./Wallace-Rose Hill H.S.

Measurables: At the Shrine Bowl combine in April, was 6-foot-3, 210 pounds … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and the shuttle in 4.32 seconds … Recorded a 28.9-inch vertical leap … Did 24 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press.

Accomplishments: Led Wallace-Rose Hill to a 15-1 record and state runner-up finish in the 1-A classification … Recorded 178 tackles, three sacks and an interception despite playing the last half of the season with a broken thumb … Named to the NCPreps.com All-State team … Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl, where he recorded four tackles despite re-injuring his thumb … Ranked as the No. 17 player in the state of North Carolina in SuperPrep's post-season list … Also played tight end, catching a touchdown as a senior … Was a four-year starter at both OLB and TE … Rated by Rivals.com as a two-star prospect … Listed by Tom Lemming as the second-best linebacker in North Carolina in the Prep Football Handbook.

"The main thing about NC State is they have a good vet school. That's what I want to do when I get done with football, be a vet. I have always loved animals." -Nate Irving

"He's a good one. He runs and he hits. I think everybody can always get a little better, but he can play. He's very smart. He's a good person and a good student. He's a very fine young man." -Wallace-Rose Hill head coach Jack Holley

"I prefer defense. I like to catch passes, but I like hitting people more. I do a good job of getting to the ball and try to show good sportsmanship when I am on the field." -Irving

"On the film he proves to be very much the playmaker who takes on blocks and locates the ball as well as any LB in the state. I was also impressed with him as a tight end on offense, and I believe he has the ability to play either TE or OLB in college." -Tom Lemming in the Prep Football Report

Recruiting official visits: NC State Jan. 20

Picked NC State over: An offer from East Carolina and interest from Clemson.