Article: Paul Schenkel/Shelby Star

Only three days after de-committing from the North Carolina Tar Heels, Crest senior Reggie Wilkins says he’ll still be playing for a state university: N.C. State University, to be exact.
Wolfpack linebackers coach Andy McCollum, who had been recruiting Wilkins, made the trip down from Raleigh Tuesday to talk to the Chargers’ three-year starter at quarterback. Wilkins verbally committed to State about three months after initially committing to the rival Tar Heels.

“I wanted to play for coach (Tom) O’Brien,” Wilkins said in a statement released by Crest football coach Roy Kirby. “I’ve become pretty good friends with this year’s recruits and some of the guys that are already there.”

Wilkins was on hand Saturday for the Pack’s 28-27 comeback win over UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium, a game in which State sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson lit up UNC’s secondary for four touchdowns and 259 yards.

That was particularly relevant to three-star recruit Wilkins since State had him on the board as its top receiver in the class of 2010.

“I think he believes he can have something pretty special with Wilson,” Kirby said.

“I know he wanted to concentrate on basketball this winter too and then on getting down there to Raleigh this summer to start workouts with the team.”

Wilkins rushed for 792 yards with eight touchdowns as a senior while passing for 392 yards and four more scores with the Chargers. He led the team into the second round of the state playoffs each of the past two seasons as Crest had 15 combined wins.

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