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Players Committing At U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Other Storylines
Seven players will be committing at the 2017 U.S. Army All-Americn Bowl on January 7. Here's what you need to know about the commitments, along with other storylines for the game.
January 4, 2017
Seven players will be committing at the 2017 U.S. Army All-Americn Bowl on January 7. Here’s what you need to know about the commitments, along with other storylines for the game.
As we embark upon another new year, we draw closer to the end of yet another recruiting cycle. And that means lots of commitments, decommitments, flips and wild stories.
As the recruiting dead period for the 2017 class also comes to an end, we prepare for the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 7 in San Antonio, Texas, and, along with the players committing, here are a few storylines you’ll need to know about the Army game.
1. Commitments Looming
There are quite a few blue-chip prospects set to announce their decisions in San Antonio this weekend. Five-star offensive tackle Foster Sarell will be making a decision between Stanford and Washington. Five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah will be choosing between Florida State, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Darnay Holmes, the nation’s No. 1 cornerback, will pick between Ohio State and UCLA. And then safety Bubba Bolden, offensive tackle Chuck Filiaga, running back Eno Benjamin and wide receiver Jamire Calvin are scheduled to make their commitments as well.
2. The Najee Harris Saga
You’re going to continue reading and hearing a lot about the nation’s No. 1 overall player, and it won’t stop until Najee Harris physically shows up in either Ann Arbor or Tuscaloosa after this weekend. He’s not going to make his commitment known to the media, so we literally have to wait and see where he shows up for classes on Monday. His brother wants him at Michigan. Crimson Tide commit Tua Tagovailoa believes he’s going to Alabama. We’re completely in wait-and-see mode.
3. Georgia On The Mind
Take a look around. The Army rosters are filled with future Bulldogs. Keep an eye on Jake Fromm, D’Antne Demery, Tray Bishop, Jeremiah Holloman, Nate McBride, Netori Johnson, D’Andre Swift, and Richard LeCounte. LeCounte has already been trending on Twitter because a video surfaced from an Army game practice where he pressed wide receiver DeVonta Smith off the line of scrimmage and pushed the 5-star pass catcher to the sideline and over a bench. There is a lot to be excited about in Athens.
4. MVP Prediction
There are a few different names to keep an eye on here. Fromm is an easy candidate to pick. He has a lot of arm talent and quite a few weapons surrounding him to win the award. But Cam Akers and Najee Harris are elite running backs and can shred out of the backfield. Tua Tagovailoa has looked great so far, and he must be on the radar as well.
Defensively, keep an eye on Bubba Bolden. He’s a ball hawking safety and can easily make an impact for the West Team. The same can also be said for Shaun Wade on the East Team.
5. Ohio State vs. Michigan
Prepare to get a glimpse into the future of one of college football’s most intense rivalries. We’re talking future Michigan quarterback Dylan McCaffrey and future Buckeye QB Tate Martell playing on the same team. Wolverines Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black will be playing with future Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade. And Wyatt Davis will try and block his future Buckeye teammate, Chase Young. It’s going to be exciting — especially considering how this past season’s edition of The Game ended.
