Terry Shankle - CB, North Carolina

#28
#28
Talk about it in The General's Quarters


NORWOOD, N.C. -- In a Monday press conference at South Stanly High School, four-star cornerback prospect Terry Shankle announced his decision as to where he'll play his college football. Shankle sat at a table with shirts representing his six finalists---North Carolina, N.C. State, Tennessee, Clemson, Florida, and Alabama. Behind him was a video screen with the logos of the six schools that made his final list.

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Adam Powell (CB)
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Terry Shankle will be bringing his many gridiron talents to Chapel Hill.In front of his coaches, friends, teammates, and family members in South Stanly's media room, Shankle declared that he'll be staying in-state---bringing his many football talents to the University of North Carolina.

"I liked all six of these schools, and I really liked North Carolina, (N.C.) State, and Tennessee, but I would like to announce that I'm going to Carolina," Shankle said, putting on a Navy Blue UNC sweatshirt to widespread applause.

Shankle is the No. 6 ranked prospect in North Carolina by Rivals.com in the Class of 2009, and the nation's No. 18 cornerback prospect. In addition, Rivals has rated him the No. 1 'ball skills' cornerback in the entire country.

"I really liked Carolina. When I went up there on my visits, I really got along with the players good, and the coaches, and that's why I made my decision," Shankle said. "I kind of felt at home (at UNC). It was not too far away, but it was far enough so I can't come home every weekend. I really like being with a good program---I really liked that."

Shankle indicated that he has known for several weeks where he was going to go.

He admitted that the coaching situation at Tennessee helped make his decision a little bit easier.

"I'd say about a month ago I really knew where I was going. I really kept it to myself---I didn't want anybody to know," he said. "After I went to Tennessee (on a visit) I liked Tennessee a lot, but then with their coaches and stuff, I mean, I just pulled away from Tennessee. Then I really started liking Carolina."

"It was between Tennessee and Carolina the whole time---and State---but I started liking Carolina," Shankle added. "When the Tennessee coaches got fired, that just helped my decision. It made my decision a lot easier. I went to Tennessee twice and all those other schools. I just felt like it (UNC) was the right school for me, and I had the best chance of playing and developing there."

Shankle admitted that the UNC coaching staff---and his fellow Tar Heel commitments--- played a huge role in his final decision.

"Oh, it (the coaching staff) was big---big. I got along with them good. They made me feel like I was a part of them. They made me feel like I was at home," he said. "The coaches---seeing how good the coaches are with the players and everything---I wanted to be part of the team."

"They (the commitments) had a lot of part of it," Shankle added. "While I was at Combines I talked to some of the players---Justin Dixon, Jheranie Boyd, Josh Hunter, and Hawatha Bell---and we talked (on the phone) every now and then about what schools we liked. We found we liked the same schools, and I have some friends to go to the same school with, so that made a big part of my decision."

Shankle figures to compete for immediate playing time as a cornerback and specialist at UNC, but he said that his relationships with the coaches and fellow recruits was a bigger factor in his decision than getting on the field early in his collegiate career.

"It (early playing time) didn't make no big part of my decision, because anywhere I go, I'm going to have to work hard to play, so it wasn't no major factor," he said. "I have a high chance of playing my first year by being athletic and playing more than one position---it helps me a lot. I think it can help me get on the field early. Hopefully (I can) bring talent and bring more life to it, and help them out a lot---do whatever I can to help them be the best program."

"(I expect to play) mostly corner, punt returns, and maybe kick returns," Shankle added.

The fact that North Carolina has turned into a winning program over the past year surely didn't go unnoticed.

"They've turned it around big-time. It's a great time to be a Carolina player," he said. They're making a big improvement from last year to this year, and they've got a good (recruiting) class this year. I really see a bright future at North Carolina. They'll be pretty big in two or three more years. I think they're headed in the right direction."

Although he knows that it will be a major transition from the high school to college level, Shankle feels that he's definitely up for the challenge.

"It's going to be hard to make the transition, but I feel I can make it. I mean, all it will take is hard work and you'll get accustomed to it once you get there, so I feel like I can make this transition," he said.

Shankle joins another Stanly County native---Quan Sturdivant---on the North Carolina roster. He has gotten multiple opportunities the past couple of years to talk with Sturdivant about his UNC experience, and why it might be a good fit for him as well.

"I talked to him (Sturdivant) plenty of times. I got in touch with him every now and again," he said. "He just told me how good the school was and everything, told me how he liked it, and I needed to go there, mingle with the players and see how I liked it. I felt comfortable there with the players at UNC."

After leading the state of North Carolina in interceptions (15) during his junior year of 2007, Shankle had to get used to being an island among himself during his senior season.

Very few teams threw in his direction, and he had to adjust accordingly.

"I had to get used to it (not getting thrown towards)," he said. "It wasn't that bad, but I had to get used to it."

Shankle and his South Stanly teammates enjoyed another solid season---posting a 7-4 regular season record and earning a NCHSAA 1-A state playoff berth---although the Rebel Bulls' season ended this past Friday night with a loss to Mount Airy in the second round.

"It (my senior season) went good, but it didn't go as good as I thought it would, but everything will go the way it's supposed to. I'm happy," he said. "(My high school coaches) helped me a lot. They helped me stay humble in certain situations. They've played a big part."

As a reward for his impressive high school career, Shankle was selected to the North Carolina Shrine Bowl team, where he will join several of his future teammates.

"That's big. Not too many people play in the Shrine Bowl. I felt honored to be nominated to the Shrine Bowl," he said.

Shankle said he may officially visit Chapel Hill in January, but he hasn't given much thought about that lately, and hasn't formally scheduled a date.

"I really don't know about official visits---I just go up there," he said.

Shankle summed up his big day with one sentence---one that echoes his humble nature and his excitement about what the future holds.

"It's pretty big. I'm real excited," he said. "I try to stay humble and not say too much, but it's a really good feeling."
 

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