Army All-American Bowl awards
SAN ANTONIO - The nation's top prospects were in San Antonio last week for the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Rivals.com Recruiting Analyst Barry Every scouted the action at practice and at the game, a 30-14 victory for the West squad, and offers up his awards from the week.
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U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards
Fastest Player: Lache Seastrunk
RB, 5-11/192, Temple (Texas) Temple
He showed extreme quickness and speed throughout the week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices. He challenged DeAndrew White, Robert Woods and Dior Mathis in a race and came away victorious.
Honorable Mention: Robert Woods, Christian Green
Strongest Player: Sharrif Floyd
DT, 6-3/310, Philadelphia (Pa.) George Washington
No huge lineman on either side of the ball physically dominated throughout the week like this baby bull. His practice habits paid off as he ended the game with two sacks.
Honorable Mention: Ricky Heimuli, Jeffrey Whitaker
Best Hands: Markeith Ambles
WR, 6-2/182, McDonough (Ga.) Henry County
He really battled teammate Kyle Prater all week for this honor. But it was Ambles' catch in the game while falling to the Alamodome surface that pushed him over the top.
Honorable Mention: Ross Apo, Kyle Prater
Best Arm: Paul Jones
QB, 6-3/226, McKees Rock (Pa.) Sto Rox
He has the ability to throw the ball more than 60 yards while rolling out of the pocket. No quarterback even came close when it came to showing how much mustard you could put on the ball.
Honorable Mention: Jake Heaps, Cole Marcoux
Most Accurate: Jake Heaps
QB, 6-2/195, Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline
He was tabbed the starting quarterback for the West early on, and his 9-for-12 passing in the contest proved he was the most game-ready QB at the event.
Honorable Mention: Connor Wood, Cole Marcoux
Best After the Catch: Robert Woods
WR, 6-1/180, Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra
This was a close call, but Woods has the best combination of speed and hands of any receiver in this group. He can really stretch the field and can also turn a short pass into a big gain. Woods is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball.
Honorable Mention: Christian Green
Best Cover Skills: Victor Hampton
DB, 5-11/170, Darlington, S.C.
This was a close battle as Hampton and Dior Mathis proved to be very quick and showed excellent change of direction coming out of their backpedals. But Hampton's effort in the game pushed him into the top spot. Neither is the biggest corner, but both proved their mettle.
Honorable Mention: Mathis
Best Feet: Jake Matthews
OL, 6-5/275, Missouri City (Texas) Elkins
Matthews displayed the quickest feet during individual work on day one. His overall size and natural knee and hip bend give him the ability to play all six offensive line positions.
Honorable Mention: Shon Coleman, Cedric Ogbuehi
Best Closing Speed: Cecil Whiteside
LB, 6-3/220, Newport Beach (Calif.) Newport Harbor
Usually this award goes to a defensive back, but Whiteside and C.J. Mosley - both linebackers - demonstrated they could cover any running back and some receivers one-on-one. Whiteside can run sideline to sideline and catch players from the back side.
Honorable Mention: Mosley
Best Surprise: Cole Marcoux
QB, 6-2/234, Bronx (N.Y.) the Fieldston School
He was the only participant who came into the event with no FBS offers. Marcoux showed the nation he belonged as he took home East Player of the Game honors after leading the team on its only two scoring drives.
Honorable Mention: Calvin Barnett
Best Rusher: Spencer Ware
ATH, 5-11/220, Cincinnati (Ohio) Princeton
Many doubted that a quarterback could make the transition to running back. Ware not only made transition but also ran hard with natural forward body lean all week, and he ended up being the leading rusher in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Honorable Mention: Dillon Baxter
Best Tackler: V.J. Fehoko
LB, 5-11/215, Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington
Fehoko had big hits all week in practice. During the game he was able to get lower while building up a head of steam and landed a major hit on Spencer Ware in the first half.
Honorable Mention: Mike Hull, Cecil Whiteside
Most Physical: Cassius Marsh
DT, 6-3/275, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian
He's a nasty player who pushed his teammates during the week. Marsh had a blocked field goal that resulted in a touchdown in the game. He was considered by many to be the top defensive performer for the West during the scrimmage and Thursday's practice.
Honorable Mention: Sharrif Floyd
Stock Rising: Cassius Marsh
He dominated all week during practice because of his superior effort and nasty disposition on the field. Marsh also proved to have the frame and athletic ability to play either defensive end or defensive tackle, which is the toughest combination for college coaches to find on the recruiting trail.
Honorable Mention: Jeffrey Whitaker, Spencer Ware
Stock Dropping: Lache Seastrunk
He seemed very aloof at times and was late for meetings throughout the week. Seastrunk's ball security was less than desirable; he carried the ball around like a loaf of bread. There are two big questions about this talented athlete: How serious is he about the game? Can he become an every-down back?
Honorable Mention: Ahmad Dixon
Special Teams Stud: A.J. Derby
ATH, 6-4/218, Iowa City (Iowa)
Not only was he one of the East quarterbacks, but he also excelled as a deep snapper and on punt coverage. This is coming from an athlete who is a punter and kicker for his high school team as well as a quarterback and defensive back. Derby can do just about anything well on special teams.
Honorable Mention: Cade Foster
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