This Gamecock great selected to play in NFL Pro Bowl after all

One Los Angeles Chargers’ loss is another teammates gain.

Former South Carolina Gamecock star defensive lineman Melvin Ingram has been named to the NFL Pro Bowl in place of injured Joey Bosa.

Bosa will miss the Jan. 28 game in Orlando as he continues to recover from a finger injury.

Ingram’s inclusion in the NFL’s all-star game means that a former Gamecocks defensive lineman will be on the roster. Ingram’s teammate at South Carolina Jadeveon Clowney had been named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, but like Bosa, is forced to miss the game as he recovers from an injury. The Houston Texans defensive end/linebacker had “minor arthroscopic knee surgery.”

Ingram won’t be the only USC alum playing professionally in L.A. in the Pro Bowl. Another Gamecock product, Pharoh Cooper has also been selected to play in the all-star game. Cooper is the kick returner for the Los Angeles Rams.

This will be the first Pro Bowl appearance for Ingram. He was among the AFC leaders with 10.5 sacks this season, a number that matched his single-season best.

Ingram also recorded 56 tackles, including 17 for loss, this season for the Chargers.

Ingram even scored a touchdown this season, the first of his NFL career. In a blowout of the Buffalo Bills, Bosa forced a fumble and Ingram scooped up the loose ball and raced 39 yards to the end zone.

During his senior season at USC, Ingram scored three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns came against Georgia in a 45-42 victory, including a 68-yard fake-punt for a touchdown.

Ingram played for the Gamecocks from 2008-11, switching from linebacker to defensive end. As a junior, he led USC with nine sacks. As a senior, Ingram had 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and two interceptions, leading him to be named an All-American and first team All-SEC.

This story was originally published January 9, 2018 at 6:18 PM with the headline "This Gamecock great selected to play in NFL Pro Bowl after all."