The former North Meck High and Wofford College standout will pursue his pro football dreams with the Arizona Cardinals. He agreed to a deal with the team Tuesday and was to officially report to the team’s headquarters in Tempe Thursday.

The Cardinals’ training camp is at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. It begins Saturday.

“It’s awesome I get the opportunity,” Irvin said Tuesday night, tempering his excitement, “but I still have to make the team.”

A safety, Irvin had been, along with other undrafted rookies, in limbo throughout the league’s work stoppage. Though the Cardinals, Seattle and the New York Giants had previously expressed interest in him, teams were not allowed to have contact with free agents, and Irvin was working out on his own while staying at his parents’ home in Davidson. And while little is guaranteed now that he’s among the players in training camp, Irvin is at least glad to have a tangible goal to work toward.

“It’s good to have an idea at least where I’ll be the next few weeks,” said Irvin. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

While playing at Wofford, Irvin had the chance to watch an NFL training camp up close each year. The Carolina Panthers train at Wofford, and Irvin has watched intently.

“I’m sure it’ll still be high intensity, a bunch of guys working hard,” said Irvin. “It’ll definitely be a step up from what I’m used to.”

Irvin, who is 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, graduated from North Meck in 2007 and was Wofford’s leading tackler the past two seasons. A three-year starter for the Terriers, he finished his college career with 209 tackles and seven interceptions. He was an All-Southern Conference selection last fall.