Nigel Bradham Named as Finalist for 2008 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award

nigel 300.gif San Antonio, TX (December 5, 2007) – The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee has narrowed down their nominees to six finalists for the prestigious 2008 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award: Nigel Bradham (Wakulla High School, Crawfordville, FL); Arthur Brown (East High School, Wichita, KS); Dayne Crist (Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, CA); Patrick Johnson (Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach, FL); Terrelle Pryor (Jeanette High School, Jeanette, PA); and Darrell Scott (St. B onaventure High School, Ventura, CA). The U.S. Army Player of the Year will be crowned during the U.S. Army Awards Dinner on Friday, January 4, 2008, in San Antonio. The winner will be presented with the Ken Hall Trophy, modeled after Ken “Sugar Land Express” Hall, high school football’s all-time leading rusher. The U.S. Army Player of the Year award is given to the nation’s most outstanding senior in high school football.

The six finalists will visit New York City to participate in media activities December 16 – 18, 2007.

“It is quite an honor to reach the final stage for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award,” said Colonel David Lee, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach for the U.S. Army Accessions Command. “This is an award that recognizes strengths beyond numbers put up on the field. It recognizes the strength of character, of leadership and the ability to instill teamwork in your peers. These finalists truly reflect the values of the American Soldier.”

Nigel Bradham, according to many experts, is considered one of the nation’s most explosive linebackers, complete with great size, speed and strength. Bradham is committed to Florida State University.

According to recruiters nationwide, Arthur Brown is a great read-and-react linebacker with an explosive first step. A highly touted player by schools across the nation, Brown has not yet committed to a college but has narrowed down his choices to Alabama, Florida, LSU, Miami, UNC, Oklahoma, and USC.

One of the top quarterbacks in the nation, Dayne Crist has good size, an extremely strong arm and great running ability. Crist is committed to Notre Dame.

Patrick Johnson is ranked by many recruiting sites as the top cornerback in the nation and one of the best all-around recruits. Johnson is not committed to date but has narrowed down his college choices to LSU, Miami (FL), Florida, and USC.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, considered an all-around explosive athlete, has great size, quickness, and speed. Recruiters describe him as a “Vince Young” type, dangerous in the open field with his ability to run. Pryor is not committed to date but has narrowed down his college choices to Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

Running Back Darrell Scott is considered the most complete running back in the class of 2008. He is not committed to date but has narrowed down his college choices to Colorado, Florida, LSU, UNC, Texas, UCLA, and USC.

The selection process began this fall as players were evaluated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee and by coaches from around the country. Past U.S. Army Player of the Year winners include: Kevin Jones (Detroit Lions) 2001; Lorenzo Booker (Miami Dolphins) 2002; Chris Leak (Florida Gators) 2003; Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) 2004; Ryan Perrilloux (LSU) 2005; Mitch Mustain (USC) 2006; and Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame) 2007.

Since its inception, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been considered the nation’s premier All-American game by high school football players, coaches, and fans from across the country, as it’s the preeminent launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars. Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Adrian Peterson and Brady Quinn all made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans. Last year the U.S. Army All-American Bowl set its own attendance record, as 35,151 fans attended the game at the Alamodome. For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com and www.goarmy.com . The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned by SportsLink, a New Jersey-based sports marketing and event management company.

Other national sponsors of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl are Russell Athletics, Reebok, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, PlayStation, Schutt Sports, Deloitte, Gatorade, NCSA, and QBU.

- Marie Keeler, SportsLink

This article orignally published on December 5, 2007.