SAN ANTONIO — Ohio State leads all programs for the third-straight year with nine commits invited to play in this year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Tate Martell will get the start under center for the West squad, while Shaun Wade and Chase Youngwill hope to contain their future teammate while suiting up for the East.
| NAME | POSITON | HOMETOWN | STARS | ALL-AMERICAN TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOSH MYERS | OT | MIAMISBURG, OH | ★★★★★ | EAST |
| SHAUN WADE | CB | JACKSONVILLE, FL | ★★★★★ | EAST |
| CHASE YOUNG | DE | HYATTSVILLE, MD | ★★★★★ | EAST |
| BARON BROWNING | LB | KENNEDALE, TX | ★★★★★ | WEST |
| WYATT DAVIS | OG | BELLFLOWER, CA | ★★★★★ | WEST |
| J.K. DOBBINS | RB | LA GRANGE, TX | ★★★★★ | WEST (GAME-TIME DECISION) |
| HASKELL GARRETT | DT | LAS VEGAS, NV | ★★★★★ | WEST |
| TYJON LINDSEY | WR | LAS VEGAS, NV | ★★★★★ | WEST (WILL NOT PLAY) |
| TATE MARTELL | QB | LAS VEGAS, NV | ★★★★★ | WEST |
Though Tyjon Lindsey will not play as he continues to rehab his injured knee, there's a slight chance J.K. Dobbins will see action for the first time since he broke his ankle in the opening week the season. A source close to Dobbins told Eleven Warriors on Friday morning he wants to play.
Whether or not he does is certainly something to pay attention to.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Seven All-Americans will make their college decisions public during the game, including three who could possibly pull an Ohio State hat out of the bag on Saturday.
| NAME | POSITION | HOMETOWN | STARS | FINALISTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENO BENJAMIN | RB | WYLIE, TX | ★★★★ | Arizona State, Missouri, Texas, Utah and Michigan |
| BUBBA BOLDEN | CB | LAS VEGAS, NV | ★★★★ | Ohio State and USC |
| JAMIRE CALVIN | WR | LOS ANGELES, CA | ★★★★ | Nebraska, Notre Dame and Washington State |
| CHUCK FILIAGA | OT | ALEDO, TX | ★★★★ | Michigan, Oklahoma and USC |
| DARNAY HOLMES | CB | CALABASAS, CA | ★★★★★ | Nebraska, Ohio State, UCLA and USC |
| JEFFREY OKUDAH | CB | GRAND PRAIRIE, TX | ★★★★★ | Florida State, Ohio State and Oklahoma |
| FOSTER SARELL | OT | GRAHAM, WA | ★★★★★ | Nebraska, Notre Dame, Stanford, USC and Washington |
The Buckeyes are considered a virtual lock to land Jeffrey Okudah, the top-ranked cornerback in the country. He's good friends with the aforementioned Browning, and was instrumental in bringing him to Columbus.
Darnay Holmes' plans aren't as clear, however. He's a California kid who talks about doing what's best for his brand, which most likely means staying closer to home. I believe he wants to play in Columbus, but he has to convince his parents its the right place for him when they sit down and decide together on Friday night.
Bubba Bolden, meanwhile, is the least likely of the three to end up in Columbus. He played alongside Martell, Lindsey and Haskell Garrett at Bishop Gorman, but he's a one-time USC commit, long-time fan and the Trojans are good again.
OTHER REASONS TO WATCH?
- WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO
Much of the talk in San Antonio has surrounded Najee Harris, the nation's top-rated player — and it won't end until he enrolls in classes at Alabama or Michigan on Monday. He's been committed to the Crimson Tide since April 2015, but the Wolverines are considered the biggest threat for the 6-foot-3, 226-pound running back.
- GEORGIA ON MY MIND
Georgia has made quite the surge in the recruiting rankings recently due to commitments from a pair of four-star prospects and sits second to Ohio State in the number of commits set to play in this weekend's game with eight. Jake Fromm, D'Andre Swift and Richard LeCounte III — arguably the best defensive back in the country — should have the Bulldogs competing for the SEC sooner rather than later.
Kickoff of Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on NBC.
