White Plains’ Ingalsbe commits to Belichick, Tar Heels
· Yahoo Sports
WHITE PLAINS — When veteran head coach Clint Smith arrived at White Plains in June of 2025, he was still learning the names of his new players, but one stood above the rest.
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Smith saw potential in 6-foot-7 offensive tackle Hudson Ingalsbe.
After a standout junior season on both the football field and wrestling mat, that potential translated into recruiting attention. Scholarship offers poured in, with Ingalsbe collecting 28 in all.
“I really felt like this was coming just because of the type of kid that Hudson is. …” Smith said. “I think the college coaches who have any time to spend with Hudson, they figure out real quick that he’s the type of guy that they want on their team.”
Ingalsbe made his decision Thursday, committing to play college football for legendary head coach Bill Belichick at the University of North Carolina. The 6-foot-7, 290-pound rising senior chose the Tar Heels over Florida State, Kansas State and Virginia.
“I chose this program because of the experience of the staff and the knowledge that they bring to the table,” Ingalsbe said. “Most of the coaches and staff have NFL experience, which is unique.”
Academics also played a major role in his decision.
“UNC is a great school academically,” he said.
Ingalsbe visited Chapel Hill the last Saturday in May and came away impressed with Belichick and the coaching staff.
“It was kind of surreal having a coach who’s won six Super Bowls and a staff with more than 84 years of NFL experience tell me, ‘We want you here,’” Ingalsbe said.
According to Smith, Ingalsbe checks every box college coaches look for in both an offensive tackle and a student-athlete.
“First of all, he’s 6-foot-7, 290 pounds. He’s quick. He’s strong. He bends well,” he said. “But, more than that, he works so hard in the weight room. He’s a great teammate. He makes others around him better. He encourages his teammates. And, you know, he gets it done in the classroom.”
On top of excelling on the football field, Ingalsbe has also established himself as one of the state's top wrestlers. He finished a perfect 41-0 during his junior season and captured the Class 1A-4A state championship at 285 pounds.
Ingalsbe believes the mentality he developed on the wrestling mat carries over to football.
“There is a mental toughness aspect that comes with it,” Ingalsbe said. “Just being able to power through those drives. … That fourth down on the goal line when you’ve had a 90-yard drive, those are the times when you just have to be gritty.”
Before Ingalsbe heads to North Carolina, he has unfinished business at White Plains.
The Wildcats will compete in Class 3A, Region 4 this fall alongside Ashville, Childersburg, Cleburne County, Handley, Munford, Talladega and Weaver.
White Plains has not reached the playoffs since 1994, and Ingalsbe hopes to help end that drought during his senior season. A team captain since his junior year, he is focused on leading the Wildcats back to the postseason before beginning his college career.
“I want to have a great season, but I think it’s more about the team. For me, I want us to excel. I want us to make it to the playoffs,” Ingalsbe said. “I think with this new region, we have a really good chance of making it. I really hope, as a team, we just put our heads down and work.”