Melvin Ingram

NFL Draft Profile: Melvin Ingram (First Round selection at No. 18 – San Diego Chargers) Senior defensive lineman who can play end in the base package and move inside in passing situations… had a breakout season in 2010… listed as the starter at defensive end opposite Devin Taylor entering the fall… is a preseason fourth-team All-SEC pick by Phil Steele… has played in 39 games during his Carolina career, making a pair of starts. 2010: Played in all 14 games, making one start (Southern Miss)… Led the team with 9.0 sacks, ranking third in SEC and tying for the second-highest single season total in school history… ranked second on the squad with 11.0 tackles for loss among his 28 total stops… credited with half a sack on Georgia’s final possession of the game…had two tackles, including a sack, in win over Furman… posted four tackles, including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, vs. Kentucky… had his best career game against Alabama, recording 2.0 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss among four total stops… suffered a broken hand early in the game at Vanderbilt but returned to the contest… had 1.5 sacks vs. Tennessee… had two tackles vs. Florida, including the team’s 33rd sack of the season which set a new school record… had the team’s only sack vs. Troy, forcing a fumble that led to a Gamecock touchdown… also had a sack in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. 2009: Redshirt sophomore who returned to active duty after sitting out the 2008 season while recovering from foot surgery… played in all 13 contests, starting one… credited with 18 tackles including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks… logged a 12-yard sack against FAU… credited with five tackles in the win over Vanderbilt… moved to defensive end for the Florida game due to injuries… made his first career start in that contest and was credited with three tackles, including a half sack. 2008: Missed the entire season after breaking his foot in an off-field accident just prior to the 2008 Garnet & Black Spring Game. 2007: Played in all 12 games as a linebacker, logging 15 tackles, including 13 solo stops… credited with a sack against Vanderbilt… gained 90 yards on his five kick returns, an average of 18.0 yards per return… had three kick returns against Kentucky for 59 yards… also had a season-high five tackles against the Wildcats. HIGH SCHOOL: Hard-hitting linebacker who completed his senior year with 87 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Richmond County High School in one of the top 4-A leagues in North Carolina… returned a fumble for a touchdown in the Shrine Bowl game… regarded as the 17th-best player in the Tar Heel state by SuperPrep… rated a four-star linebacker by Rivals.com… Rivals tabbed him as the 21st-best outside linebacker in the country and the 10th-best player in North Carolina… Scout.com ranked him as a three-star prospect and the 20th-best middle linebacker prospect in the nation… also considered North Carolina and NC State before selecting South Carolina. PERSONAL: Melvin Ingram is pursuing a degree in African American studies.