Pair of NC State commits selected to Shrine Bowl

The North Carolina squad for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas will feature two NC State verbal commits, along with at least three targets.

Mooresville (N.C.) High senior defensive back Chris Ingram and Wake Forest (N.C.) High senior middle linebacker Darius Hodge were both selected Monday to the prestigious all-star game, which is at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 in Spartanburg, S.C.

Ingram is ranked as the No. 41 cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com in the class of 2017. The 5-foot, 175-pound three-star prospect verbally committed to NC State on July 26, 2015 as the first member of the class. Ingram and Mooresville host Statesville (N.C.) High on Monday.

The three-star Hodge verbally committed to NCSU on June 13, 2016, and was part of a NCHSAA 4AA state runner-up squad at Wake Forest High.

Hodge’s prep teammate Xach Gill, a lineman, also made the team and is one of three uncommitted players in the game considering NC State. Garner (N.C.) High defensive lineman Matthew Butler was also selected and has the Wolfpack in his top group.

Former NC State wide receiver commit Emeka Emezie of Waxhaw (N.C.) Marvin Ridge was also selected to the game. NCSU fullbacks/tight ends coach and co-special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner watched Emezie play this past Friday.

Fourteen of the players selected have verbally committed to Power Five conferences. North Carolina topped South Carolina 54-39 last year.