Top Current NFL Stars Who Were Under Armour, Army All-American Recruits

A quick glance at NFL rosters shows a number of players who were once stud college football recruits. 

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has seen nearly 300 of its alums become NFL draft picks, including former top overall pick and current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. 

Meanwhile, the Under Armour All-America Game saw three former stars selected within the first five picks of last year’s NFL draft—including top overall pick and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. 

Which other current pro stars participated in recruiting’s two premier postseason events?

Let’s take a look at a few standouts who have participated in these events over the years.

U.S. Army All-Americans: Offense

Aside from Luck, another promising young signal-caller currently in the NFL made a pit stop in San Antonio after his prep career concluded.

Current Vikings starter Teddy Bridgewater fired a 22-yard touchdown strike in the 2011 edition of the game. Another notable name to emerge from that year is former LSU star and current New York Giants standout receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who announced his commitment to LSU during the game.

Bridgewater’s backfield mate, running back Adrian Peterson, has been one of the NFL’s premier backs throughout his career. He was also one of the stars of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl some 11 years ago. 

As noted by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl’s Twitter account, 11 alums were selected to the Pro Bowl this year—including eight on the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive line standouts Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns and Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys are former first-round draft choices who also are Army game alums.

Under Armour All-Americans: Offense

While the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has history on its side, the Under Armour All-America Game is starting to even the scales a bit when it comes to NFL representation.

Winston is the flag-bearer at quarterback, but the group of receivers who have played in the game is perhaps the most impressive segment for the Under Armour game. In fact, Winston threw a long scoring strike to another rookie taking the NFL by storm in the 2012 game—current Oakland Raiders wideout Amari Cooper. 

The run of elite prep pass-catchers heading to the Under Armour game began back in 2008 with Julio Jones and A.J. Green starring in the initial edition of the game. 

Since then, players such as current Chicago Bears star Alshon Jeffery and Philadelphia Eagles rookie Nelson Agholor are among the touted receivers who have played in the game. 

At running back, Buffalo Bills rookie sensation Karlos Williams and Arizona Cardinals stud Andre Ellington are a pair of young backs who have a chance to be stars for a long time in the NFL.

Stud young linemen such as Cowboys starters Zack Martin and La’el Collins, and New Orleans Saints rookie tackle Andrus Peat are among the prominent UA game alums in the trenches.

US Army All-Americans: Defense

Two of the most dominant linemen currently in the NFL rose to prominence after dominant prep careers that ended in San Antonio.

Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Bucs counterpart Gerald McCoy arrived at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl rated among the nation’s best, and both have fulfilled the promise they showed as recruits.

At linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs star Derrick Johnson and Cincinnati Bengals leader Vontaze Burfict are among the former Army game recruits dominating at the pro level. 

In the secondary, corner Patrick Peterson—who like Beckham announced his pledge to LSU at the game—and safety Eric Berry were both 5-star recruits who went on to become first-round draft choices and perennial pro bowlers.

Under Armour All-Americans: Defense

The first two defensive players taken in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft began their journeys toward the NFL at the Under Armour All-America game. 

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams were standouts in the 2012 edition of the UA game.

Additionally, Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney—the No. 1 overall choice in the 2014 NFL draft—was the game’s headliner in 2011.

At linebacker, Saints rookie Stephone Anthony and Pittsburgh Steelers former first-round pick Ryan Shazier are among the notable former UA standouts who have a chance to have long careers in the NFL. 

In the secondary, Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, St. Louis Rams corner Lamarcus Joyner and Giants safety Landon Collins are among the former 5-star recruits who began their paths to the NFL by starring at the Under Armour game.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani