2016 Army All-American Bowl Recruits with Best NFL Skill Sets
SAN ANTONIO — The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is an all-star event that gives fans a chance to see the stars of tomorrow. More than 200 Army All-American alumni are active on NFL rosters.
The 100 players preparing for Saturday's game hope to be next in line following their college careers. And while playing and excelling in college ball is a high priority for most of the athletes, the ultimate goal for many is fulfilling the childhood dream of playing in the NFL.
Here are eight athletes who, if everything goes their way (no injuries, off-the-field issues, etc.), have the skill sets to potentially play in the NFL after college. All names are listed in alphabetical order.
5-Star DT Derrick Brown
1 of 8
Hometown (school): Buford, Georgia (Lanier HS)
Size: 6'4", 275 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 8 overall (No. 3 DT)
Even with a loaded defensive tackle class, Derrick Brown finds way to stand out. His explosiveness and overall football IQ make it easy to see why he has 26 offers. Once considered to be a Georgia lean, Brown holds several SEC schools high on his list, including Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Mississippi State. The winning school will get a big-time playmaker.
Best skill set: Power off the line
Physically, Brown is a monster who uses his strength and his instincts to make plays. He also is a player who possesses a great first step and tons of athleticism. Once he gets off the line, he's like trying to stop a train. Brown is one of those athletes who can use his strength to see early playing time and then use the knowledge acquired by his college coaches to become an all-conference player immediately.
5-Star QB Jacob Eason
2 of 8
Hometown (school): Lake Stevens, Washington (Lake Stevens HS)
Size: 6'5", 205 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 4 overall (No. 1 PRO)
Committed to Georgia
There's a reason why Georgia fans were hoping to keep Jacob Eason committed. It's not every day when a high school quarterback gets immediate comparisons to Matthew Stafford, who was dominant at Georgia before becoming a household NFL name with the Detroit Lions. Eason has the tools to not only be as good as Stafford but, perhaps, better at the college level.
Best skill set: Intangibles
Physically speaking, some high school players simply have "it." Eason is a gifted athlete with prototypical NFL size, solid arm strength and accuracy with each throw. He should learn a lot from new Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and his staff, and his game should translate into next-level competition.
5-Star RB Tavien Feaster
3 of 8
Hometown (school): Spartanburg, South Carolina (Spartanburg HS)
Size: 6'0", 204 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 14 overall (No. 1 APB)
Committed to Clemson
As an elite-level all-purpose back, much is expected of Tavien Feaster. What fans like best—particularly the Clemson fans—is that he delivers each time he steps on the field. Feaster is an outstanding runner who can find the hole quickly. He also has great hands as a pass-catching option from the backfield. Feaster, additionally, is a sound blocker when asked to stay in the pocket.
Best skill set: Vision
On many occasions, Feaster rivals all for being the fastest player on the football field. And while his speed is a huge asset for him, his best asset may be his field vision. Feaster does a great job in creating something out of nothing when it comes to getting yards. Once he finds the hole, he uses that extra gear to where he can turn a regular play into something special.
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5-Star ATH Mecole Hardman Jr.
4 of 8
Hometown (school): Elberton, Georgia (Elbert County HS)
Size: 5'10", 165 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 21 overall (No. 1 ATH)
Whether he's playing cornerback, wide receiver or any of the return positions on special teams, Mecole Hardman Jr. makes it a priority that his presence on the football field be known. From a skill-position standpoint, there aren't many places you can put him and expect him to be a subpar player. Alabama, Tennessee and in-state school Georgia are three programs considered to be the front-runners for his services.
Best skill set: Explosiveness
With 31 reported offers, Hardman is one of the nation's most sought-after players entering the final days before national signing day. He brings speed and great change of direction to the table as a cornerback, and he brings excellent hands and route-running skills as a receiver. With everything, Hardman is an explosive option who plays with a second gear that many aren't ready for.
4-Star OL Tommy Kraemer
5 of 8
Hometown (school): Cincinnati (Elder HS)
Size: 6'5", 305 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 46 overall (No. 6 OT)
Committed to Notre Dame
There are some outstanding offensive tackles in the 2016 class, and Tommy Kraemer deserves to be in that topic of discussion. If his play during U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices is any indication of what's to come in the future, then Notre Dame is getting a player who could be headed for greatness a lot sooner than expected.
Best skill set: Run blocking
Kraemer has the size and footwork to be a great pass-blocker, but it's his run-blocking ability that's been on display during the Army bowl practices. Playing with a solid pad level is vital for offensive linemen, and Kraemer has been the player to model fundamentals after this week. With the tutelage of the Notre Dame coaching staff, Kraemer could be one of those linemen playing on Sundays.
5-Star DT Dexter Lawrence
6 of 8
Hometown (school): Wake Forest, North Carolina (Wake Forest HS)
Size: 6'5", 300 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 3 overall (No. 2 DT)
Committed to Clemson
Rashan Gary gets a lot of ink when it comes to elite defensive linemen, but Dexter Lawrence has the tools to be equally effective at the next level. He's a big linemen who should shine at Clemson under the tutelage of head coach Dabo Swinney, co-defensive coordinators Brent Venables and Marion Hobby and defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks. What's great about Lawrence is that he's still learning to be dominant.
Best skill set: Size and strength
Brute strength is a major advantage for Lawrence, who makes life difficult for offensive lineman who are, often times, a little larger than he is, stature-wise. With his size, he is able to shut down running lanes, and his quickness off the ball—coupled with his large frame—can make for a frustrating day of football for the opposition.
5-Star TE Isaac Nauta
7 of 8
Hometown (school): Buford, Georgia (IMG Academy)
Size: 6'4", 237 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 9 overall (No. 1 TE)
Picking up a quality tight end is important on any level, but having a tight end like Isaac Nauta on the roster gives any team an added bonus. He provides instant mismatches in passing downs, and he's a reliable option in the red zone. Nauta recently announced on Twitter that Georgia, Alabama and Michigan are his top three schools. The winning school will get a special player.
Best skill set: Versatility
Need a traditional tight end on the line? What about a flex tight end? How about a wide receiver? Perhaps an H-back? Nauta is capable of playing all of those positions effectively. As good of a blocker he is, Nauta may be one of the best route-runners in the 2016 class. And with his strength and ability to use his body in pass-catching situations, Nauta makes one-on-one play extremely difficult for linebackers and defensive backs.
5-Star QB Shea Patterson
8 of 8
Hometown (school): Shreveport, Louisiana (IMG Academy)
Size: 6'2", 195 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 5 overall (No. 2 PRO)
Committed to Ole Miss
Arm strength. Delivery. Accuracy. Pocket presence. When you talk about the characteristics needed for an effective quarterback, Shea Patterson has them all. He's been a player to watch since his freshman year of high school, and many Ole Miss fans are looking forward to seeing Patterson compete for the starting job as a freshman. Few negative things are said about Patterson's play.
Best skill set: Game management
To be cerebral is to be successful. Mentally speaking, Patterson is one of the best in the class. Patterson is as calm and collected under pressure as any quarterback in the country; nothing ever seems to faze him. He'll need that attitude as he prepares to line up against the best the SEC has to offer, and many expect him to do well as a game manager and an overall leader of the team.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports.com's composite ratings. All heights and weights of players are courtesy of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
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