The Washington Post Football All-Met Selections: The Current NFL Players

The Washington Post sports section is considered one of the most prestigious sports outlets in the country.  The periodical covers a wide range of sports from the professional, collegiate and high school level.  Per each season, (Fall, Winter and Spring) the High School sports section releases their “All-Met” (short for All-Metropolitan) piece awarding outstanding high school athletes in the Washington, D.C. area. 

The All-Met selections cover a variety of sports, from football to gymnastics.  As I have written before, D.C. aka “the DMV,” is known as a basketball hot bed, however the talent that has evolved from this area for football should be given recognition as well. 

Upon review of the previous winners, I was shocked to see how many current players in the NFL that were honored in these lists.  Pro Bowlers, All-Pro selections and Super Bowl winners all were mentioned on the infamous “All-Met” fraternity. 

Linebacker: Julian Peterson

Peterson was a First Team All-Met tight end in 1995 from Crossland High School (Temple Hills, MD).

Played at Michigan State.

Was selected in the first round of the 2000 draft (16th overall) by the San Francisco 49ers.

Five-time Pro Bowler.

Three-time All-Pro.

Currently a free agent.

Defensive End/Linebacker: Derrick Burgess

Burgess was a First Team All-Met linebacker in 1995 out of Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, MD).

Went to college at Mississippi.

Selected in the third round (63rd overall) of 2001 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Two-time Pro Bowler.

Currently a free agent.

Linebacker: Cato June

June was the 1997 All-Met Defensive Player of the Year out of Anacostia High School (Washington, D.C.).

Went to college at Michigan.

Was selected in the sixth round (198th overall) of the 2003 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

One Pro Bowl selection.

One All-Pro selection.

Super Bowl champion.

Currently playing in the UFL.

Quarterback: Byron Leftwich

Leftwich was an Honorable Mention quarterback in the 1997 All-Met selection out of H.D. Woodson High School (Washington, D.C.),

Played at Marshall.

Selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2003 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Currently on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Defensive Lineman: Darnell Dockett

Dockett was the 1998 All-Met Defensive Player of the Year from Paint Branch High School (Burtonsville, MD).

Played at Florida State.

Was selected in the third round (64th overall) in the 2004 draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

Three-time Pro Bowler.

One All-Pro selection.

Currently on the Arizona Cardinals.

Cornerback: Leigh Bodden

Leigh Bodden was an Honorable Mention defensive back in the 1998 All-Met selection out of Northwestern High School (Hyattsville, MD).

Played at Duquesne.

Signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2003 as an undrafted free agent.

Currently on the New England Patriots.

Defensive Lineman: Randy Starks

Randy Starks was an Honorable Mention defensive lineman in the 1999 All-Met selection out of Westlake High School (Waldorf, MD).

Played at Maryland.

Was selected in the third round (71st overall) of the 2004 draft by the Tennessee Titans.

One Pro Bowl selection.

Currently on the Miami Dolphins.

Wide Receiver/Return Specialist: Josh Cribbs

Cribbs was a First Team All-Met quarterback in 2000 out of Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.).

Played at Kent State.

Signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2005 as an undrafted free agent.

Two-time Pro Bowler.

Two-time All-Pro selections.

NFL's all-time kickoff return touchdown leader at eight.

Currently on the Cleveland Browns.

Linebacker: Ahmad Brooks

Brooks was the 2001 All-Met Defensive Player of the Year at linebacker from C.D. Hylton High School (Woodbridge, VA).

Played at Virginia.

Was selected in the third round of the 2006 supplemental draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Currently on the San Francisco 49ers.

Linebacker: Shawne Merriman

Merriman was a First Team All-Met linebacker in 2001 out of Frederick Douglass High School (Upper Marlboro, MD).

Played at Maryland.

Selected in the first round (12th overall) in the 2005 draft by the San Diego Chargers.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Three-time Pro Bowler.

Three All-Pro selections.

Currently on the Buffalo Bills.

Defensive Tackle: Daniel Muir

Muir was an Honorable Mention defensive lineman in the 2001 All-Met selection out of Parkdale High School (Riverdale, MD).

Played at Kent State.

Signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2007 as an undrafted free agent.

Currently on the Indianapolis Colts.

Running Back: Marcus Mason

Mason was a two-time All-Met running back and was the Offensive Player of the Year in 2002 out of Georgetown Preparatory School (Bethesda, MD).

Played at Youngstown State.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2007 by the Washington Redskins.

Currently on the San Diego Chargers.

Tight End: Vernon Davis

Vernon was a two-time All-Met tight end in 2001 and 2002 out of Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.).

Played at Maryland.

Was selected in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2006 draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

One Pro Bowl selection.

Currently on the San Francisco 49ers.

Cornerback: Josh Wilson

Josh Wilson was a First Team All-Met defensive back in 2002 out of DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD).

Played at Maryland.

Selected in the second round (55th overall) of the 2007 draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Currently on the Baltimore Ravens.

Wide Receiver: Eddie Royal

Eddie Royal was the 2003 All-Met Offensive Player of the Year out of Westfield High School (Chantilly, VA).

Played at Virginia Tech.

Selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2008 draft by the Denver Broncos.

Currently on the Denver Broncos.

Offensive Lineman: Edwin Williams

Edwin Williams was a First Team All-Met offensive lineman in 2003 out of DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD).

Played at Maryland.

Signed as undrafted free agent in 2009 by the Washington Redskins.

Currently on the Chicago Bears.

Defensive End: Derrick Harvey

Derrick Harvey was a First Team All-Met defensive end in 2003 out of Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, MD).

Played Florida.

Selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2008 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Currently on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wide Receiver: Deon Butler

Butler was a First Team All-Met punt returner in 2003 from C.D. Hylton High School (Woodbridge, VA).

Played at Penn State.

Selected in the third round (91st overall) in 2009 draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Currently on the Seattle Seahawks.

Linebacker: Moise Fokou

Fokou was an Honorable Mention linebacker in the 2003 All-Met selection out of The Bullis School (Potomac, MD).

Played at Maryland.

Selected in the seventh round (230th overall) in the 2009 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Currently on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cornerback: Kevin Barnes

Barnes was an Honorable Mention defensive back in the 2003 All-Met selection out of Old Mill Senior High School (Millersville, MD).

Played at Maryland.

Selected in the third round (80th overall) of the 2009 draft by the Washington Redskins.

Currently on the Washington Redskins.

Wide Receiver: Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams was a two-time First Team All-Met defensive back in 2003 and 2004 out of Eleanor Roosevelt High School (Greenbelt, MD).

Played at Penn State.

Selected in the third round (82nd overall) in the 2009 draft by the Detroit Lions.

Currently on the Detroit Lions.

Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman

Bowman was a First Team All-Met linebacker in 2004 out of Suitland High School (Forestville, MD).

Played at Penn State.

Selected in the third round (91st overall) in the 2010 draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Currently on the San Francisco 49ers.

Safety: Cody Grimm

Grimm was a Second Team All-Met linebacker in 2004 out of Oakton High School (Vienna, VA).

Played at Virginia Tech.

Selected in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2010 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Currently on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Linebacker: Aaron Maybin

Maybin was an Honorable Mention defensive lineman in the 2004 All-Met selection out of Mount Hebron High School (Ellicott City, MD).

Played at Penn State.

Selected in the first round (11th overall) in the 2009 draft by the Buffalo Bills.

Currently plays for the Buffalo Bills.

Running Back: Evan Royster

Evan Royster was a two-time First Team All-Met running back including the 2005 Offensive Player of the Year award out of Westfield High School (Chantilly, VA).

Played at Penn State.

Selected in the sixth round (177th overall) in the 2011 draft by the Washington Redskins.

Wide Receiver: Arrelious Benn

Benn was a two-time First Team All-Met wide receiver in 2005 and 2006 out of Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.).

Played at Illinois.

Selected in the second round (39th overall) in the 2010 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Currently on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Defensive Tackle: Marvin Austin

Austin was a two-time First Team All-Met defensive lineman in 2005 and 2006 from Ballou High School (Washington, D.C.).

Played at North Carolina.

Selected in the second round (52nd overall) in the 2011 draft by the New York Giants.

Cornerback: Vontae Davis

Vontae (the brother of Vernon) was a First Team All-Met defensive back in 2005 out of Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.).

Played at Illinois.

Selected in the first round (25th overall) in the 2009 draft by the Miami Dolphins.

Currently plays for the Miami Dolphins.

Defensive Lineman: Phil Taylor

Phil Taylor was a First Team All-Met defensive lineman in 2005 out of Gwynn Park High School (Brandywine, MD).

Played at Baylor.

Selected in the first round (21st overall) in the 2011 draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Cornerback: Joe Haden

Joe Haden was the All-Met Player of the Year quarterback in 2006 at Friendly High School (Fort Washington, MD).

Played at Florida.

Selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2010 draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Currently playing on the Cleveland Browns.

Running Back: Ryan Williams

Ryan Williams was an Honorable Mention running back in the 2006 All-Met selection out of Stonewall Jackson High School (Manassas, VA).

Played at Virginia Tech.

Selected in the second round (38th overall) in the 2011 draft by the Arizona Cardinals.