Abbott added to Army Bowl
Late last week, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl selected its kicker for the East Team and made the call to notify Jacksonville
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(Fla.) Bolles product Brooks Abbott of the selection.
"I found out I was getting invited on Wednesday," Abbott said. "I kind of knew it was coming because it had sort of been in the mix for a while, the past couple months, but it was nice to get the official word."
On Friday, the special teams prospect was awarded his East Team jersey during a ceremony at Bolles for both he and his teammate, fellow U.S.
Army All-American, five-star offensive tackle John Theus. The opportunity to play in front of a national audience on NBC in early January is welcomed by the 6-foot-3, 185-pound prospect.
"It is exciting," Abbott said. "I have always wanted to play on the national stage. It is just a dream come true and I am ready to show my stuff."
Having the opportunity to enjoy the experience with Theus is also welcomed by Abbott.
"He is probably my closest friend on the team," Abbott said. "It is awesome. It is going to make it a lot more fun, having a friend there with me to do it."
On the season, Abbott is 8-for-12 on field goals with a long of 47 yards. He has made all 53 extra point attempts on the season, and has a streak of 98 consecutive made extra points dating back to his sophomore season. He averages about 68 yards per kickoff with a four-second hang-time. In addition to his kicking duties, Abbott also punts for Bolles and is averaging 41 yards per punt.
Abbott, who says he definitely prefers kicking over punting, is heading to San Antonio, Texas with hopes of showing that ability on the national stage.
"I am going to prove that I have the best field goal mechanics and the most consistent kickoffs in the country," Abbott said. "I just want to show I can play at any D-I school."
He is hoping that his performance in both practices and the game will result in some opportunities to continue his career at the next level.
"I have no offers yet," Abbott said. "I transferred from
(Jacksonville) Episcopal last year, so I think I have kind of flown under the radar. I have heard from FIU, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Ole Miss. I have visited South Carolina, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, and Tulsa."
While many kickers elect to walk-on in college, Abbott said his preference is to attend a college on scholarship.
"Georgia would be as a walk-on," Abbott said. "I want to play on a scholarship but the only school I would walk onto would be Georgia."
When it comes time to decide in February, Abbott has a short checklist with regards to evaluating the options he hopes to have at that time.
"I am just looking for who has the best special teams and who is contending yearly for a conference championship or national championship," Abbott said.
Abbott and the East team take on the West in the 12th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
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