USC's Ingram, Jeffery Give Back to Gamecock Nation

Hundreds of Gamecock football fans stood in line for hours at Garnet & Black Traditions on Saturday to see future NFL players Melvin Ingram and Alshon Jeffery.

Ingram and Jeffery took pictures with fans and signed commemorative footballs, posters, shirts and jerseys at the three-hour meet and greet session that drew a large crowd people from all over the Midlands.

“It’s a wonderful feeling being able to give back to the community, knowing that this many people wanted to come out and support us," Ingram said. "It’s a blessing."

One of those fans was Jerry Killion of West Columbia who stood in line for two and a half hours to get an autographed football for his son who lives in New Mexico. 

Killion said he will be watching the NFL draft next week to see which team will pick up Ingram and Jeffery.

"It’ll be interesting to find out where the guys go," he said. "I wish them all the best."

"I think they’re going to make a big splash in the NFL."

It's fans like Killion that makes events like the one held Saturday worthwhile.

“It’s a blessing to be here and show them the love that we have for them," Alshon said. "We know they have a lot of love for us." 

Phillip Graham, manager at the Harbison area Gamecock merchandise store, said the store held the autograph session because it was a good way for the players to give back to the Gamecock community.

“These fans have supported them their entire careers here at Carolina and (now) they’re going off to bigger and better things,” Graham said. “(Today’s event) was kind of like one last sendoff before they reached the big time in the NFL.”

Graham said fans stood in a line that wrapped around the building since 1 p.m. and that it was the biggest autograph session the store has ever had. 

Ingram and Jeffery were among six University of South Carolina players to participate in the annual NFL Combine in February. 

Ingram, a defensive lineman from Hamlet, NC, was selected to the first team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and the Walter Camp.

Ingram tied a single-season school record with 10 sacks in 2011, according to a report on gogamecocks.com. 

A St. Matthews native, Jeffery in receiving yards with 3,042. 

He was honored as an All-American and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

The 2012 NFL draft airs at 8 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.