Breaking Down Finalists for 2016 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl released its finalists for Player of the Year Award on Wednesday morning, thrusting six outstanding high school seniors into a national spotlight.
The candidates, in alphabetical order, are defensive lineman Derrick Brown, wide receiver Donnie Corley, quarterback Jacob Eason, wide receiver Simi Fehoko, quarterback Shea Patterson and quarterback Brandon Peters.
The recipient will be announced Jan. 8 in San Antonio, Texas, one day before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Past Player of the Year honorees include national champion Florida Gators quarterback Chris Leak, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham and former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jimmy Clausen.
Here's a closer look at the latest group of prospects under consideration for this prestigious award.
DT Derrick Brown
1 of 6
High School: Lanier (Buford, Georgia)
Size: 6'4", 318 lbs.
Composite Ranking: No. 3 defensive tackle; No. 8 overall
Why He's a Finalist
Derrick Brown belongs among the very best in a star-studded defensive tackle class. The position is prominent this cycle, featuring five of America's top 13 overall recruits in 2016 composite rankings.
Brown's massive physical frame is sturdy and developed beyond most of his peers, providing immense power in trench battles. His speed ultimately separates him from the pack, as he consistently displays quick-trigger tendencies to shed opponents and disrupt offensive efforts.
The Peach State product was a prolific playmaker throughout his high school career, securing 164 total tackles—39 for loss—and 21.5 sacks during his sophomore and junior campaigns, according to MaxPreps. Brown capped things off with a dominant senior season, tallying 106 tackles—42 for loss—and 12 sacks in 13 games.
College Recruitment Status: Uncommitted
The Georgia Bulldogs have long been a perceived favorite to land this in-state standout, collecting 100 percent of experts' predictions in Brown's 247Sports Crystal Ball. The announced departure of veteran head coach Mark Richt certainly reverberated in recruiting, as did the ensuing reported hire of Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, per Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Brown, who was previously pursued by Smart on behalf of the Crimson Tide, will keep a close eye on how a new Georgia staff takes shape.
"I think keeping [defensive line coach] Tracy Rocker would be big for me, because that is who I have the best relationship with on the defensive staff," Brown told Kipp Adams of 247Sports.
The Bulldogs will receive one of his remaining official visits, while Tennessee and Auburn are also expected to welcome him to campus before national signing day.
WR Donnie Corley
2 of 6
High School: Martin Luther King (Detroit)
Size: 6'2 ½", 182 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 20 wide receiver; No. 118 overall
Why He's a Finalist
Donnie Corley made an outstanding case for his Player of the Year candidacy during Thanksgiving weekend, catching the game-winning pass as time expired in state championship action. He stretched over a defender to haul in a 40-yard reception that propelled his team to a 40-38 title-game victory.
"It was a beautiful ball. It couldn’t have been better. I knew where I was on the field. It was amazing," Corley told Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press.
The memorable snag was Corley's second score in a contest that featured six catches for 108 yards, per Farrell.
His impressive senior season was highlighted by key plays on both sides of the ball. Corley finished with 59 receptions for 1,403 yards and 16 touchdowns and adding 80 tackles and 10 interceptions, according to Dave Goricki of the Detroit News.
College Recruitment Status: Uncommitted
The Michigan State Spartans, who are expected to sign Corley by 84 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball, must overcome Jim Harbaugh and rival Michigan during this final stretch. The Wolverines have persistently pursued the prized pass-catcher, who told 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong this season he plans to commit Dec. 8.
Ohio State, Tennessee and Notre Dame are other notable contenders in his recruitment.
Harbaugh is attempting to revitalize his program's recruiting pipeline with Detroit, and Corley could provide a major boost. High school teammate Lavert Hill, a 4-star defensive back who recently decommitted from Penn State, is another main recruiting concern for Michigan.
QB Jacob Eason
3 of 6
High School: Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens, Washington)
Size: 6'5", 205 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 2 pro-style quarterback; No. 5 overall
Why He's a Finalist
Jacob Eason, an Elite 11 finalist, produced at a prolific rate after taking over as a high school starter. He threw for 9,355 yards, 98 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions over the past three seasons, according to MaxPreps.
The Northwest gunslinger saved his best for last, leading Lake Stevens to the semifinal round of the state playoffs. Eason completed 70 percent of pass attempts this fall, torching defenses for 3,585 yards and 43 scores through the air.
His efforts helped Lake Stevens run through the regular season without a loss. Eason tossed at least four touchdowns in seven of the team's 13 games.
College Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia
The Bulldogs landed a 2016 class building block in July 2014 when Eason committed while on campus. He's maintained this cross-country pledge for nearly 17 months, and Georgia is just a few weeks away from sealing the deal.
Eason, who is expected to enroll early, could challenge for the starting job as a true freshman. However, the departure of head coach Mark Richt added late intrigue to this recruitment.
Less than 48 hours after a mutual breakup between Richt and Georgia was announced, Eason traveled to Florida for an official visit. Don't expect it to be his last trip, with another journey to Athens potentially in the mix.
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WR Simi Fehoko
4 of 6
High School: Brighton (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Size: 6'3", 195 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 39 wide receiver; No. 202 overall
Why He's a Finalist
Simi Fehoko was an absolute force this fall, punctuating a high school career that won't soon be forgotten in Utah. He set multiple state records, including the highest per-game receiving yards average (136.5) at Brighton. He totaled 40 touchdown receptions as an upperclassman, per MaxPreps.
His senior season featured 59 catches for 1,495 yards and 16 touchdowns. During the past two falls, Fehoko eclipsed 200 receiving yards in five games.
College Recruitment Status: Committed to Stanford
Fehoko's decision occurred in July when he joined a Cardinal class that includes top-ranked California quarterback K.J. Costello. Stanford edged out fellow contenders BYU, Washington, Utah and Michigan, who appeared on his top-five list months before the announcement.
"Overall, Stanford is a hard-to-miss package. It has everything that you could want in a college," he told Trevor Phibbs of the Salt Lake Tribune.
QB Shea Patterson
5 of 6
High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Size: 6'2", 195 lbs
Composite Ranking: No. 1 pro-style quarterback; No. 4 overall
Why He's a Finalist
Shea Patterson spent recent years succeeding at various high schools, first in Texas (Hidalgo), then Louisiana (Shreveport Calvary Baptist) and finally Sunshine State powerhouse IMG Academy. After racking up 5,083 passing yards and 80 total touchdowns as a sophomore and junior, he led IMG to eight consecutive victories this season.
Patterson, who claimed national Elite 11 MVP honors this summer, completed 60 percent of his pass attempts for 1,533 yards and 18 touchdowns in those eight contests, according to MaxPreps. He added three more scores on the ground, averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
His improvisational skills are particularly impressive. Though he does plenty of damage in the pocket, Patterson may be at his best while evading defenders and finding receivers downfield while on the move.
"The biggest thing with Shea is that he's a natural leader. He's the kind of guy you want to follow on the field," 5-star tight end prospect and IMG teammate Isaac Nauta told Bleacher Report. "Obviously, he's one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country."
College Recruitment Status: Committed to Ole Miss
Patterson pledged to the Arizona Wildcats as a freshman but eventually backed off that verbal pledge before his junior campaign. Collegiate interest poured in from across the country, setting the stage for a compelling decision-making process.
He ultimately chose the Rebels over LSU, USC and several other suitors in February.
"Since I first went there [in 2013], I knew that was a place I could see myself," he told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles.
QB Brandon Peters
6 of 6
High School: Avon (Avon, Indiana)
Size: 6'5", 205 lbs.
Composite Ranking: No. 7 pro-style quarterback; No. 78 overall
Why He's a Finalist
Brandon Peters, who competed alongside fellow Player of the Year finalists Patterson and Eason in national Elite 11 action, enjoyed easily his best season this fall. He established career-best totals across the board, completing 60 percent of passes for 3,097 yards and 37 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.
He guided Avon to back-to-back victories over defending state champions during the playoffs, before bowing out in state semifinal action. Peters collected a season-high 30 pass completions in that loss, tallying his third 300-yard performance of the fall.
College Recruitment Status: Committed to Michigan
Peters considered scholarship offers from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana and LSU before pulling the trigger on an early-April commitment to Michigan. The Wolverines gained much-needed momentum from his pledge, kick-starting a strong stretch of prospect additions this spring.
He elected to make his intentions known during a family dinner in Ann Arbor with head coach Jim Harbaugh, who brought along father Jack Harbaugh. The conversation shifted toward a former pupil of the first-year Michigan leader.
"He compared me to Andrew Luck," Peters told Bleacher Report. "It's a similar situation to what he had at Stanford, with Luck being the first quarterback recruit he brought in [with a full cycle]. He thinks I'm a really good fit for him at Michigan like Luck was for him there."
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