Marcus Benjamin @_BenjaminReport
Orlando, FL – The Under Armour All-America Game is one of the premier national all-star games for graduating high school student-athletes. The teams were coached by Hall of Famer and Florida State alum Deion Sanders (Ballaholics) and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci (Flash).
Jerrion Ealy from Jackson Prep in Mississippi set a UA All-America Game record for rushing yards and scored two touchdowns for the Flash. The Ole Miss commit rushed for 119 yards on 16 carries in a 28-27 loss to the Ballaholics.
Arizona State commit and dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels from Cajon (CA) found Marcus Washington from Trinity Christian (MO) twice for touchdowns. The first was a 17-yard throw and catch for the Ballaholics first touchdown of the game. The second was from 15 yards in the fourth quarter that would prove to be the game-winning score. Washington will be a Texas Longhorn this upcoming season.
Former Miami target Michael Johnson Jr. (Penn State signee) looked impressive with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Oklahoma signee Theo Wease. Johnson Jr. also made several plays with his legs to extend drives. Wease also had a touchdown catch in the first quarter that was ruled incomplete.
Three-star linebacker Michael Jansey Jr., the only fan-voted player to participate in the game, scored on an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter.
“I saw the ball, I hit it with my left hand,” said the excited Northwestern signee Jansey. “I went up and I grabbed it and next thing I know I had so much energy I just tried to run that in and I got it.”
Florida received the last verbal commitment of the evening when wide receiver Arjei Henderson from Fort Bend Travis, TX chose the Gators over Florida State, LSU, Georgia and Penn State. Henderson previously committed to Oregon and Oklahoma twice during his recruitment process which he described as a rollercoaster.
“This is the finish line so this is probably most special to me,” said Henderson when asked about how special this commitment was compared to others. Henderson reportedly will visit Florida State on January 25th.
The state of Florida had 20 players represented in the game which was the most by any state. Many of these players were playing in Camping World Stadium for the second time in about a month as the state championships were held at the same venue.
UA All-Americans That Also Participated In State Championships Last Month:
John Dunmore, WR, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Penn State signee
Te’Cory Couch, DB, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Miami signee
Jaden Davis, DB, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Oklahoma signee
Jordan Battle, S, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Alabama signee
Daniel Carter, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Pittsburgh signee
Anthony Solomon, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Michigan signee
Keon Zipperer, TE, Lakeland Florida signee
Deyavie Hammond, G, Lakeland Florida signee
Travis Jay, DB/QB, Madison County, Florida State Commit
Click Here For A Complete Overview Of The Top Performers At The FHSAA State Championships
Ten players are committed or signed to the “Big 3” in Florida (Miami, Florida and Florida State) with zero committed or signed to FAU, FIU, and USF. Alabama led all schools with 11 Under Armour All-American commitments/signees. Texas A&M had seven and Auburn and Florida State followed with six commitments/signees each.
Defensive lineman Tre’Mon Morris-Brash did commit to UCF during the broadcast. The defender from St. Johns (DC) called his future school the best team in Florida.
“Why not,” said Morris-Brash when asked why he chose UCF. “It’s everything you could ask for academically, they win, it’s only right.”
Morris-Brash chose the Knights over Maryland, Florida, Michigan, and Kentucky. It was the third four-star defensive lineman in the Knights were able to land this cycle.
Other UA All-Americans Committed/Signed with Florida Schools:
Brendan Gant, S, Kathleen (Lakeland) Florida State Commit
Jeremiah Payton, WR, Fletcher (Jacksonville) Miami signee
Jaleel McCrae, LB, IMG Academy, Florida State Commit
Akeem Dent, DB, Palm Beach Central, Florida State Commit
Raymond Woodie, DB, FSU High, Florida State Commit
Linebacker Shammond Cooper was one of three players to announce their college destination during the game Thursday night. Cooper from Trinity Christian in St. Louis, MO, chose Illinois over Oklahoma and Missouri.
“It’s a family experience every time I get up there,” said Cooper of Illinois. “Being able to change the culture will be big for that program.”
Cade York, kicker out of Prosper high school in Texas, kicked a 59-yard field goal which was an Under Armour All-American game record but missed a potential game-winning field goal in the final moments from 49 yards. York signed with LSU.
Seth MacKellar, LS, JSierra Catholic, (CA), Kaiir Elam, DB, Benjamin, (FL) and Jacquez Sorrells, DT, Lakeland, (FL) were the only UA All-Americans that remain undecided on their college choice. Elam is looking to decide between Georgia and Florida while Sorrells will be deciding on Alabama, South Carolina, and Penn State.
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