All-American Bowl: What We Learned
SAN ANTONIO – The East cruised to a blowout victory over the West in the 2023 All-American Bowl, and there are several things to take away from Saturday's action. Rivals.com's Cole Patterson shares five developments that stood out to him.
*****
ALL-AMERICAN BOWL IN-GAME COMMITMENTS: Jelani McDonald to Texas | Tyler Scott to Auburn | TJ Capers to Louisville | Jamari Johnson to Louisville | Peyton Woodyard to Georgia | Malik Elzy to Illinois | Caden Jones to Florida | Mikal Harrison-Pilot to Houston
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Message board | Transfer ranking | Transfer Tracker
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
*****
Dante Moore is a gamer
UCLA signee Dante Moore stole the show at the All-American Bowl. The five-star QB completed nine of his 12 pass attempts in the first half for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Moore carried that success over to the second half, running away with MVP honors.
He was hitting on all cylinders as he delivered accurate passes to a loaded crop of receivers on the East squad. Moore shines when the lights are the brightest, and that was again the case in the Alamodome.
*****
Ohio State is reloading at wide receiver
Ohio State is known for sending receivers to the NFL and then replacing them with elite high school talent. That is again the case in the 2023 cycle, where the Buckeyes are bringing in a group that is headlined by five-stars Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate. The two shined in practice all week and each grabbed a touchdown in the game on Saturday.
It is safe to say that Ryan Day and Brian Hartline will again be just fine out wide.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT DOTTINGTHEEYES.COM
*****
Justice Haynes is next in line at Alabama
Alabama has had no shortage of elite running backs during the Nick Saban era and Justice Haynes looks to be next in line. One of the highest rated four-star prospects in America, Haynes put on a show in the All-American Bowl.
He showcased his receiving ability, quickness and open-field playmaking in a dominant win for the East squad. It would not come as any surprise to see Haynes playing significant snaps for the Crimson Tide as a true freshman.
*****
Calvin Simpson-Hunt has that dog factor
Ohio State signee Calvin Simpson-Hunt is a physical man corner that can match up with a variety of different wide receivers due to his coverage ability and speed. He demonstrated that in practices and again held his own against all of the talent that the East threw at him during the game. The Waxahachie, Texas, product has a chance to play early in Columbus.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT DOTTINGTHEEYES.COM
*****
Ka'Morreun Pimpton is a matchup nightmare
There was not a ton of positive moments for the West on Saturday, but LSU signee Ka'Morreun Pimpton had one of the biggest highlights of the game – a 43-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Pimpton used his athletic ability and freakish frame to go up and get the football in the end zone.
There should be plenty of those moments for him in Baton Rouge. Pimpton enjoyed a breakout season as a senior and possesses a sky high ceiling.
*****
MORE ALL-AMERICAN BOWL: Top performers at National Underclassmen Combine | Underclassmen now on our radar | Five East players we're excited to see play in the game | Five West players we're excited to see play in the game | Dante Moore talks about wild recruitment | Announcement guide/predictions | Faulk explains flip to Auburn | Gorney's Thoughts Day 2 | Stock risers | East vs. West, skills | Rankings questions arising | Proctor details Bama decision | OL vs. DL, Day 2 | East takeaways from Day 1 | West takeaways from Day 1 | Gorney's thoughts Day 1 | Jelani McDonald previews decision | Mikal Harrison-Pilot previews decision | East OL vs. DL, Day 1 | West OL vs. DL, Day 1 | Jamari Johnson announces finalists | Elzy talks about finalists