Since 2001, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has showcased the nation’s premier high school football talent. The level of play in these games has demanded the absolute highest levels of mental, emotional and physical strengths for those participating. The expansive and continually growing list of prominent alumni featured in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl’s history stands as proof of this strength and the extraordinary level of competition. Some of the most notable All-American alumni include: 2007 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, Andrew Luck, and Marcus Lattimore among many more.
Currently, there are more than 100 U.S. Army All-Americans playing in the NFL. During the 2011 NFL Draft, 28 U.S. Army All-Americans were selected, including five first round selections. An incredible total of 65 U.S. Army All-Americans have been selected in the past two NFL Drafts. More and more U.S. Army All-Americans enter the NFL each season as the Army All-American Bowl continues to produce some of the game’s brightest stars on its biggest stage.
2008 All-American bowl
Notre Dame High School | CA
- Crist first saw varsity action as a sophomore and led Notre Dame to three wins in as many starts. He was 14-3 as a starter in his junior and senior seasons, throwing for 3,448 yards and posting an exceptional 33-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. After his senior year, Crist was one of six finalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, and led the West team with 116 passing yards and one touchdown at the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
College: University of Notre Dame
- Crist spent a year as a redshirt and one season as a backup, learning the ropes from fellow USAAB alum Jimmy Clausen. After Clausen’s early departure to the NFL, Crist came into the 2010 season as the Notre Dame starter. He started the first nine games of the season and threw 15 touchdowns, adding four additional scores rushing, before suffering a season-ending injury. At the time, Crist was fourteenth in the country with 2,033 passing yards on the year. Fully healthy this spring, Crist looks ready to once again take over the Fighting Irish quarterback position.
