Army All-American Bowl All-Time Team: Offense
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has seen its share of offensive talent since the game began in 2001.
We took a look back at all of the stars to ever play in the game and selected the best of the best for the Army All-American Bowl All-Time Team on the offensive side of the ball.
Advertisement
U.S. Army All-American Bowl All-Time Team: Offense
QB Vince Young
HIGH SCHOOL: Houston/Madison
COLLEGE: Texas
CLASS: 2002
BUZZ: No matter what he does in the pros, Young will go down as one of the best big-game performers in the history of college football. He engineered riveting fourth-quarter comebacks in two Rose Bowls - the second against then-undefeated USC with just 19 seconds remaining in the game. Young's outstanding play led the Longhorns to the 2005 National Championship.
Honorable Mention: Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow, Brian Brohm, Derek Anderson.
HIGH SCHOOL: Palestine, Texas
COLLEGE: Oklahoma
CLASS: 2004
BUZZ: In high school, Rivals.com compared Peterson to NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson. Those comparisons continue to this very day. A rugged, determined runner with sprinter's speed, Peterson finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting as a freshman in 2004. In the NFL he has shown that he is one of the league's premier running backs - as a rookie.
RB Chris Wells
HIGH SCHOOL: Akron, Ohio/Garfield
COLLEGE: Ohio State
CLASS: 2006
BUZZ: We're betting Wells' three-touchdown performance in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl offer an example of many more terrific performances to come on the national stage. His hard-nosed running is the perfect fit for Buckeyes coach Jim Tressell's blue-collar style. Wells' combination of size and speed should be attractive to NFL teams in the coming years.
WR Michael Clayton
HIGH SCHOOL: Baton Rouge, La./Christian Life Academy
COLLEGE: LSU
CLASS: 2001
BUZZ: A central figure in the resurgence of LSU football, the ultra-talented Clayton was recruited to Baton Rouge by then-coach Nick Saban. Several other players who laid the groundwork for LSU's 2002 BCS national championship also played in the 2001 U.S. Army Bowl, including Marquise Hill, Marcus Spears, Andrew Whitworth and Ben Wilkerson.
HIGH SCHOOL: New Brunswick, N.J.
COLLEGE: USC
CLASS: 2004
BUZZ: After a standout prep career that was culminated by the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Jarrett carried on a rich tradition of excellent receivers at USC. Jarrett helped his team to the national championship later that same year. He was named the Rose Bowl MVP in 2007 before turning pro as a junior.
Honorable Mention: Early Doucet, Steve Smith, Arrelious Benn.
TE Vernon Davis
HIGH SCHOOL: Washington, D.C./Dunbar
COLLEGE: Maryland
CLASS: 2003
BUZZ: Davis was a consensus All-America selection in 2005 and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, it was his performance at the 2006 NFL Combine that earned him the "freak of nature" label after clocking a 4.38-second 40-yard dash.
Honorable Mention: Greg Olsen, Zach Miller.
OL Joe Thomas
HIGH SCHOOL: Brookfield, Wisc./Brookfield Central
COLLEGE: Wisconsin
CLASS: 2003
BUZZ: Thomas was the No. 3 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns and is already a Pro Bowl alternate in his rookie season. Thomas started three years at Wisconsin and was a key reason the Badgers were able to run the ball on just about any defense. Thomas won the Outland Trophy in 2007.
OL Levi Brown
HIGH SCHOOL: Norfolk, Va./Granby
COLLEGE: Penn State
CLASS: 2002
BUZZ: Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in 2007 just two picks after Thomas, Brown was a three-year starter for Penn State and an All-America selection as a senior. Brown is considered one of the best young linemen in the game today.
OL Andre Smith
HIGH SCHOOL: Birmingham, Ala./Huffman
COLLEGE: Alabama
CLASS: 2006
BUZZ: No offensive lineman ever impressed more during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl than Smith. As a member of the East squad, Smith repeatedly pancaked opposing linemen and linebackers. While Alabama has struggled in Smith's two years in Tuscaloosa, Smith is clearly one of the nation's most talented young linemen.
OL Michael Oher
HIGH SCHOOL: Memphis/Briarcrest Christian
COLLEGE: Ole Miss
CLASS: 2005
BUZZ: Oher's story in chronicled by author Michael Lewis in "The Blind Side," a book about offensive left tackles and their increasing importance in the game of football. Despite playing on a perennial doormat team, Oher has shined in college football's toughest conference and could make himself available for this April's NFL Draft. Several analysts, including Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders' Digest, project Oher to be a first-round pick.
OL Sam Baker
HIGH SCHOOL: Tustin, Calif.
COLLEGE: USC
CLASS: 2003
BUZZ: Various publications have tabbed Baker an All-America selection in three different seasons. He has started at USC since his redshirt-freshman season, and played in two national championship contests. His father, David Baker, is the commissioner of the Arena Football league.
All-Purpose: Percy Harvin
HIGH SCHOOL: Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown
COLLEGE: Florida
CLASS: 2006
BUZZ: Ranked the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com, Harvin has done little to disappoint so far in his college career. During his two years in Gainesville, he has showcased his speed, his ability to catch-and-run and even his toughness. In 2006, he was named MVP of the SEC Championship game and was a key member of the Gators' BCS National Championship squad.
[rl]