Breakdown of Five Recruits Expected to Announce During U.S. Army All-American Game
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The U.S. Army All-American Game is one of the premier high school football all-star games in the nation featuring some of the top seniors in their respective class year after year. The 2016 addition is no different featuring some of the more highly sought after 5- and 4-star players on every other college coach’s wish list heading towards National Signing Day.
On Saturday, a few hearts will be broken and few of the richer recruiting teams will get richer when five players make their verbal commitments at various points in the game. The following is a list of the players scheduled to announce and the teams on the short list for each recruit.
TE Isaac Nauta – IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL – 5-Star
6’4”, 235 pounds
As far as tight ends go in the 2016 recruiting class, Nauta is about as good as it gets. Widely considered the No. 1 tight end in the nation. Originally from Georgia (Buford) but transferred to IMG Academy before the 2015 season.
A one-time commit to Florida State, has taken official visits to Georgia (Oct. 2), Michigan (Oct. 16), Ole Miss (Oct. 23), Alabama (Nov. 6), and Oklahoma State (Nov. 26). Is a teammate with Ole Miss quarterback commit Shea Patterson. Michigan and Alabama, along with everyone else, wants Nauta badly. Likely headed to Georgia to play in home state under first-year head coach Jim McElwain.
WR Dylan Crawford – Santa Margarita Catholic – 4-Star
6’1”, 175 pounds
High school teammates with 4-star quarterback K.J. Costello. Crawford has taken official visits to Michigan (Oct. 16), Miami (Oct. 23), and Oregon (Nov. 20). In-state powerhouse UCLA is in the running with Crawford having taken several unofficial visits to see the Bruins. Oregon was a best bet at one point but Michigan and UCLA seem like the top two.
WR Javon McKinley – Centennial – 4-Star
6’2”, 195 pounds
Another immediate difference maker for the lucky school landing McKinley. The California native has not been shy about exploring his options during the recruiting period taking officials to Washington (Sept. 18), Tennessee (Oct. 9), Notre Dame (Oct. 16), UCLA (Oct. 30), and Oregon (Nov. 6). Centennial High School will send at least seven players to top Division-I colleges as part of the 2016 recruiting class with guys like DB Kentrell Love heading to Washington, RB J.J. Taylor to Arizona, DB Chacho Ulloa to Stanford, DB Desmond Williams to Boise State, and OL Daniel Juarez and DB Camryn Bynum to Cal. Look for McKinley to blaze a different path with Notre Dame or Oregon. UCLA already has three great wide receiver commits. Oregon has two wide receiver commits in Eddie McDoom and Dillon Mitchell and the same for Notre Dame, Chase Claypool and Kevin Stepherson.
WR Donnie Corley – Martin Luther King – 4-Star
6’2”, 185 pounds
Another top recruit at his position with all the offers in the world. Official visits to Michigan State (Sept. 11), Tennessee (Oct. 9), and Ohio State (Dec. 11). Top priority for Michigan and Michigan State to keep the in-state talent at home.
DT Ross Blacklock – Elkins – 4-Star
6’4”, 310 pounds
Despite pushing 20 offers, Blacklock has kept his recruiting at a minimum with a couple of unofficial visits to LSU and Texas A&M. The Texas talent has received an in-home visit from Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin and officially visited College Station on Dec. 11. He has an official to TCU set for Jan. 22.
LSU is set at defensive tackle leaving the Aggies and Horned Frogs as the likely contenders for Blacklock’s verbal commitment.
Announcement Schedule
Dylan Crawford – First Quarter
Ross Blacklock – Second Quarter
Donnie Corley – Third Quarter
Javon McKinley – Fourth Quarter
Isaac Nauta – Fourth Quarter
U.S. Army All-American Game Info
Site: Alamodome
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Coverage: NBC
Photo credit: maxpreps.com; Isaac Nauta at IMG Academy.