Shrine matchup: N.C. WR vs. S.C. DB

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SPARTANBURG, SC -- The annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas is set to will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. ET at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C., and the game boasts many stars on both the North Carolina and South Carolina teams. Perhaps the most balanced matchup between the two squads is the North Carolina receivers going against the South Carolina defensive backs. Both sides have very talented players but it will be hard to S.C. to contain the N.C. wideouts led by Rivals100 star Germone Hopper. Here's our breakdown:

The players:

North Carolina wide receivers: Germone Hopper (O'Berry), Jody Fuller (Sun Valley), Damien Washington (A.L. Brown), Jamel Harbison (Mallard Creek)

South Carolina defensive backs: Ronald Geohaghan (Allendale-Fairfax), Cordrea Tankersley (Silver Bluff), Jabril Solomon (Hemingway)

The breakdown:

Germone Hopper is one of the best slot receivers in the country, Jody Fuller is powerful and strong and has the build of a running back, Damien Washington is a consistent threat down the middle of the field and Jamel Harbison can do a little bit of everything. While the South Carolina wide receivers got most of the attention early in the week, the North Carolina group has been excellent all week. The depth is there, the ability to stretch the field or move the chains is evident and the things each receiver brings to the table makes them very well balanced.

The South Carolina defensive backs are talented but it's not a deep group and it's unclear whether the best of them, Ronald Geohaghan, will be playing safety or linebacker. Cordrea Tankersley has been solid in practice at both safety and cornerback and will likely be needed on the outside, not his natural position, and Jabril Solomon can cover ground but will he be able to handle the ability of the N.C. receivers after the catch in space.

If the N.C. quarterbacks show some accuracy and have time to allow the wideouts to run their routes, this is a clear advantage for North Carolina.

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