The Under Armour All-American is one of the two most prestigious high school all-star games, along with the All-American Bowl (formally the Army All-American Game). This game has had numerous top draft choices including four number one overall draft picks, a Heisman winner, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Kyler Murray, Jamies Winston, Landon Collins, Jadevon Clowney, and Myles Garrett. Thursday night, we will be able to see the best of the best match-up against one another.
Quarterbacks:
(# indicates 247Sports Composite Positional Ranking)
#3 Hudson Card (Texas), #5 Haynes King (Texas A&M), #9 Shane Illingworth (Oklahoma St.), #12 Drew Pyne (Notre Dame), #15 Jeff Simms (Georgia Tech), #19 Robby Ashford (Oregon), and #28 Chandler Morris (Undecided).
Thursday night’s Under Armour All-American Game showcases six of the nation’s best QBs. Out of this group, I don’t see a lot of surefire NFL prospects. Haynes King would be my top Devy option out of this collection of QBs. Card is the highest-rated and hails from the legendary Lake Travis High School in Texas that has produced numerous college and pro talents in recent years. I see a good college QB, who will have a good college fantasy upside, but I don’t see much pro upside with him at this stage. Illingworth is a big-bodied kid with a big arm. Throws a really great deep ball and should be intriguing to watch him develop at Oklahoma State. Pyne reminds me a lot of current Notre Dame QB Ian Book. Similar builds, above-average mobility, and accurate arm with limited arm strength. I expect him to see minimal playing time at Notre Dame, the Irish have already out recruited him with JR QB Tyler Bucher just a class behind him. Not much to get excited for in terms of Devy. Sims was a great late get for the Yellow Jackets. The new Florida State staff didn’t see Sims as fit, so he made a late flip to Georgia Tech. A good arm teamed with good running ability, Sims could be the steal of this class at QB. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him get some early playing time. Morris, the son of former Arkansas Razorback Head Coach Chad Morris, was a one-time Arkansas commit. Morris appears destined to select Oklahoma on Thursday afternoon. I have a hard time seeing a path to playing time at Oklahoma being just a class behind Spencer Rattler. A future transfer wouldn’t be the least bit surprising. Ashford looks to be a solid starting college QB with some fantasy upside. At best, I could see him developing into a late NFL Draft pick.
Running Backs:
#1 Zach Evans (Undecided), #3 DeMarkcus Bowman (Clemson), #4 Chris Tyree (Notre Dame), #5 Tank Bigsby (Auburn), #9 Jase McClellan (Alabama), #10 Daniyel Ngata (Undecided), #12 Jaylan Knighton (Miami-FL), #14 Blake Corum (Michigan), and #18 EJ Smith (Stanford)
The top-ranked RB in the country Zach Evans is poised to announced that he signed with the Georgia Bulldogs during the early national signing period. Evans is about to join a loaded backfield in Athens. He has more than enough talent to crack out a role during his time at Georgia. (Scouting Report). With the expected departure of Travis Etienne, Clemson will be looking for a new feature back in 2020. Nobody currently on the roster appears to be a lock to secure the starting role. Bowman is very gifted (Scouting Report) and should carve out a role in 2020 for the Tigers. Tyree is the two-time defending fastest man at the Nike Opening Finals, his speed is a much-needed addition to the Irish offense. His ability to catch the ball and elite speed will lead to a significant role for two to three years in South Bend. Bigsby is a solid addition to the Auburn backfield room (Scouting Report). After being committed to Oklahoma for over two years, McClellan signed with Alabama during the early signing period. A highly productive runner who runs with a great deal of power and fits perfectly into what the Crimson Tide like to do with their running backs. The younger brother of current Clemson Tiger Joseph Ngata, Danyiel, brings a much different size and feel to his game. Versatile back with great receiving ability and the skills to play out in the slot. He is expected to commit to Arizona State during the game. EJ Smith is the son of Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith, another versatile back who can convert to a wide receiver at the college level if he wanted too.
Wide Receivers:
#1 Julian Fleming (Ohio State), #2 Rakim Jarrett (Marland), #6 Kayshon Boutte (LSU), #7 Marcus Rosemy (Georgia), #8 Jermaine Burton (Georgia), #14 Arian Smith (Georgia), #16 Johnny Wilson (Arizona St.), #19 EJ Williams (Clemson), #20 Thaiu Jones-Bell (Alabama), #23 Elijhah Badger (Undecided), #29 Michael Redding (Miami-FL), #32 Jaquavion Fraziars (Florida), #43 Marvin Mims (Oklahoma), #57 Dazalin Worsham (Miami-FL), #60 Chad Johnson Jr. (Arizona St.), #67 Brenden Rice (Colorado), and #8 (ATH) Lideatrick Griffin (Mississippi St.)
Fleming joins Ohio State as one of the most talented receivers to enter college in the last five recruiting cycles. Uber productive in high school, Fleming is very polished and college ready already. (Scouting Report). The Georgia Bulldogs signed three Under Armour All-Americans in the 2020 class. Arian Smith has game-breaking speed and recently defeated Chris Tyree in a 40-yard dash race at the All-American practice. Georgia secured a late signature from a long-time LSU commit, in Jermaine Burton. Arizona State currently has two receivers signed from the UA roster and is fully expected to receive the commit of Elijhah Badger during the game. Herm Edwards is putting together quite the receiver class and one heck of an overall offensive haul if they secure Badger and Ngata from the in-game announcements. They already signed the son of Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson. One of my personal favorite receivers in this class is Jones-Bell. Alabama received a steal in the top 20 receivers, whom I believe should be closer to a top 10 ranking. Marvin Mims had one of the best seasons for a receiver in the entire country. Playing against the top talent in the state of Texas, Mims, compiled 2,646 yards and 31 TDs. I can envision him being in the same role as a Dede Westbrook at Oklahoma. Maryland was able to steal Rakim Jarrett last minute from LSU during the early signing period. Jarrett can be an immediate impact player for an offense needing playmakers.
Tight Ends:
#1 (ATH) Darnell Washington (Undecided), #3 Theo Johnson (Penn St), and #20 Elijah Yelverston (Iowa)
Washington is the top-rated athlete in the country and is expected to announce for the Georgia Bulldogs during the All-American game. Listed at 6’7.5″ and 261lbs, he could easily transition to playing along the defensive line at some point. Despite his size, he shows a great deal of athletic ability and pass-catching skills. I expect him to be given a shot on the offensive side of the ball first, but a move to the defensive line would not be out of the question in my mind. Johnson will have a big transition from playing Canadian ball to college. Johnson has a lot of upside but is very raw at this point. A great pass catcher that will need to sharpen his all-round talent at Penn State.
