Tracking Top Day 4 Practice Performers from 2016 Army All-American Bowl

SAN ANTONIO — Thursday was the final day of open practice for the U.S. Army All-Americans as they prepare for Saturday's much-anticipated U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. The week has seen some of the best athletes in the 2016 class elevate their games—just in time for them to get ready for life in college.

The East vs. West showdown is expected to be competitive and intriguing. The participating athletes know that while they're there to enjoy the experience and overall atmosphere, they're also trying to prove they're the best at their respective positions. A few athletes have made their cases throughout the week.

The annual event has served as a platform for athletes who have made it to the NFL over the last 15 years, including Andrew Luck, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Peterson, Ndamukong Suh, Odell Beckham Jr. and many others. Every athlete to step on the Alamodome turf Saturday is hoping to follow in their footsteps.

With no Wednesday practice taking place, Thursday was huge as the athletes made their final tuneups in preparation for Saturday. Here are some of the players who made noise during Thursday's practice sessions.

West Team practice

Devin Asiasi: Big man, important target

It's easy to see that the tight end position will be important Saturday, and Asiasi is showing everyone why he's such a wanted athlete. Listed at 6'5" and 235 pounds, he finds a way to play bigger than his size—figuratively and literally.

What makes Asiasi so fun to watch is his hands. Seeing the big man make fingertip grabs and over-the-shoulder catches is enough to frustrate any defense. Additionally, in running situations, he makes for a sound blocker on the line.

Schools like Washington, USC, UCLA and Alabama are still in the mix for Asiasi. He will take three official visits this month, the first to Washington (Jan. 16), followed by Alabama (Jan. 22) and finally USC (Jan. 29). Some consider the Trojans a favorite, but Asiasi said he is still wide-open with his process.

Caleb Kelly: Raising the bar defensively

All week long, Kelly has risen to the occasion. In fact, some may say the 5-star prospect has elevated his game each practice, which is a great sign for the West roster.

Kelly's quickness, agility and lateral movement have made him a problem for the offense. He's a solid rush defender in run plays, and in passing situations, he's shown good coverage skills. Kelly plays the game with a high football IQ, and he's been a game-changer among game-changers as of late.

Kelly, the nation's No. 3 outside linebacker, has 24 reported offers but has narrowed his list to Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Oregon. He has made official visits to all three schools.

Landon Young: Rising to the occasion

If there's a player who may see a significant rise in his recruiting ranking, it's Young. The Kentucky commit has played well during the week, but he may have stepped up his game Thursday.

Long and agile, Young has done a good job at right tackle containing a group of defensive linemen who are looking to be buzz saws at the next level. During lineman blocking drills, Young showed his aggressiveness by scoring an emphatic pancake block on a defender. It was enough to garner shouts from his peers.

At 270 pounds, Young has room to add weight to his 6'7" frame, and Young said that's something Kentucky coaches really like. He's a streamlined big man who is technically sound and plays with a mean streak. He'll have a chance to show his skills against an East team with a talented defensive line group.

Usual suspects put on a show

All week long, it seems as though the same names are being praised. But there's a reason for that.

On offense, Shea Patterson is making his case as the nation's top-ranked quarterback. The Ole Miss commit has been the most consistent quarterback of the three on the West roster, and as he gets more and more comfortable with his teammates, you can see the confidence building with each throw.

On defense, Mark Jackson Jr. has been impressive and has silenced any argument about his size at defensive end—or lack thereof. Listed at 6'2" and 226 pounds, Jackson, a Texas A&M pledge, looks more like an outside linebacker, but his speed-rush ability and nose for the football make him dangerous to offenses in passing situations.

On both sides of the ball, Jack Jones has been phenomenal. He's been used more as a cornerback, and he's flourished in multiple drills. During Thursday's seven-on-seven play, he recorded an interception on one play, and on the very next play, he dropped what would have been a second pick. Jones has a top five of Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC.

East Team practice nuggets (courtesy of 247Sports)

• It was another solid day in the office for tight end Isaac Nauta. When he wasn't making one-handed grabs, he was giving key blocks to spring running backs. Nauta also showed his power by bulling over a defender after making a catch.
• The defensive line as a unit has been good with Dexter Lawrence and Derrick Brown standing out as headliners. Thursday was Jonathon Cooper's time to shine, though. The Ohio State pledge showed explosiveness off the edge and played at a high-intensity level.
• Is there anything Mecole Hardman Jr. can't do? He has been all over the field all week, and on Thursday, he lined up on the offensive side of the ball. With the ball in his hands as a receiver, you can expect yards after the catch. He's dangerous with the ball.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. All player heights and weights are courtesy of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles