Area Athletes Compete In All American Bowl

by Marshall Levenson

Six elite Dallas-Fort Worth football prospects will be participating in the 2019 U.S. Army All American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas this weekend. Selection as an Army All-American is extremely uncommon, reserved for only the best 100 football players in the country. The history and tradition of the All-American Bowl is unparalleled. 380 draft picks, 52 Super Bowl champions, 16 Heisman finalists. The 2019 Team West All-American crop includes six DFW prospects who are hoping to follow the footsteps of Odell Beckham Jr., Ezekiel Elliott, and Adrian Peterson. The Army All-American Bowl game will be played on Saturday at 12pm and will be broadcasted on NBC.

The first name to watch for on Saturday is that of the Flower Mound Marcus High product: Marcel Brooks

photo courtesy US Army All American Bowl

Brooks is a 4 star outside linebacker who signed with LSU in mid december during the early signing period. He is currently ranked as the #3 outside linebacker in the country and is on the verge of earning his 5th star. If he has a strong game on Saturday, it would not be surprising at all to see him earn that honor very quickly. Brooks’ is a tall, long, rangy athlete with outstanding frame and a huge wingspan that you look for in an elite linebacker. He has publicly stated that LSU plans for him to be the eventual successor of projected top 10 pick Devin White. Brooks will be wearing #9 on Saturday and if there is an explosive play made by the West defense, there is a good chance that the #9 jersey will be right in the middle of it.

 

 

Another name to know is the first of three University of Oklahoma signees on this list, 4 Star Hebron High School wide receiver, Trejan Bridges.

photo courtesy US Army All American Bowl

Bridges is a long, lean receiver prospect who has the frame to add bulk and strength at the college level. He will be on campus in Norman in January as an early enrollee to get a head start on his development. He is already at good size, measuring in at 6’1” and 184 lbs. Bridges’ best tool is his ability to get vertical on 50/50 balls in the air. He is very physical attacking the ball and rarely comes down without the ball in his grasp. He finished the season with 13 touchdown receptions while showing off his pure playmaking ability with 7 additional touchdowns on the ground. He will be wearing #81 on Saturday and will most likely be alternating in the inside and outside slots.

 

Joining Bridges in Norman will be Prestonwood Christian Academy’s own, Austin Stogner.

photo courtesy US Army All American Bowl

The Plano native is currently ranked as the #3 Tight End in the nation and is subject to a boost in the rankings based on his play this weekend. Stogner hails from a family of former college pass catchers as his Father, Brad Stogner, played WR for Baylor and his Cousin, Dalton Stogner, played WR for North Carolina. On the field, Stogner is a Long, almost gangly prospect with a frame that can hold plenty more weight. Already at 6’6”, 235lbs, he is a very physical route runner with very good separation skills. Stogner will #83 for the West Team and is prime position to end his high school career with a strong performance.

 

To complete the trio of University of Oklahoma signees is an Offensive Guard out of national powerhouse, Allen High School, EJ Ndoma-Ogar.

photo courtesy US Army All American Bowl

Ndoma-Ogar is barrel-chested with a wide frame that is filled out to go along with a thick neck and upper body. Sitting at 6’3.5” and a whopping 328 lbs, Ndoma-Ogar is not an easy opponent to get through for any defensive lineman. He is not very fast, clocking in at only a 5.6 second 40 yard dash but has shown good quickness in his feet at the line of scrimmage. His best tool is his hands as he packs a powerful punch as his first move. He regularly dominates defensive lineman with just using his hands which will only get better. He will be wearing #60 on Saturday while trying protect his future QB, Spencer Rattler, an Oklahoma signee.

 

Although Oklahoma vs Texas is a heated rivalry, they will have to put aside their differences for a few hours as recent Texas signee Tyler Owens will be also be participating on Saturday.

photo courtesy US Army All American Bowl

Owens is a 4 star Safety from Plano East High School. He is a big-framed safety prospect who possesses outstanding athleticism that has been proven by an impressive track and field career. At 6’2”, 202 lbs, he is already great size for a safety who still has lots of time to grow and develop. Owens is joining an already stout Texas defense and have a very good opportunity to see the field early. Owens will be donning the #19 jersey for the West on Saturday.

 

 

Last but not least is Weak Side Defensive End from Nolan Catholic out of Fort Worth, Nana Osafo-Mensah.

photo courtesy US Army All American Bowl

Osafo-Mensah is a long edge defender with ample space to continue to add bulk and strength at the college level. He is already at an elite size of 6’4” and 231 lbs. He will be attending Notre Dame University where he will only get bigger and faster. He is a great athlete at his size which is shown by his basketball abilities at Nolan Catholic. He will be wearing #31 on Saturday with hoped of capping off his high school career with a win.

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