UA All-American: Shameik Blackshear

Bluffton (S.C.) defensive end Shameik Blackshear was presented with a big honor Wednesday as he was officially selected to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game during a ceremony at his school.

"It means a lot," the four-star defender said. "It means all my hard work, sweat, and tears are being recognized. It also means I'm one of the best in America."

Blackshear, ranked by Rivals.com as the nation's fifth-best strongside defensive end prospect, will unfortunately not be able to take part in the game itself due to a torn ACL he suffered this season. He will still be able to make the trip and participate in the activities, and he plans on paying close attention and taking in everything he can during the week.

"Just the whole learning period altogether," he said when asked what he was most looking forward to during game week. "All the good coaching; it's a chance for me to take in some key things I could use next year."

Blackshear is slated to have surgery to repair his ligament damage later this week.

"The knee is coming along," he said. "Surgery is on Friday."

The Lowcountry product drew scholarship offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and numerous other programs before making a very early commitment to South Carolina in May of last year. While the Seminoles continue to recruit him, Blackshear maintains that he is "100 percent" with the Gamecocks.

"The coaches tell me to get ready for next season," he said.

The Under Armour All-America Game will take place on Jan. 2 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

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