Each year, football all-star games bring out the best prospects from across the nation in a friendly, competitive atmosphere. Prospects who play in the all-star games choose between the two biggest bowl games, the Under Armour All-American Game and the U.S. Army All-American Game.
Ohio State was well represented in both games this year. Nine Buckeye commits were invited to the All-American games, and several of them made an impact on the field.
GLOVER-WILLIAMS AND WILKINS SHINE IN UNDER ARMOUR GAME
The Under Armour game in St. Petersburg, Fla. is one of the best competitions in all of high school football. Two future Buckeyes played in the 2015 rendition of the game, cornerback Eric Glover-Williams and defensive lineman Jashon Cornell. Both played on Team Armour, which lost to Team Highlight, 46-6.
Of the two, Glover-Williams had the stronger performance. Cornell had a decent performance in less time, but Glover-Williams took a punt return 47 yards for a touchdown, his team's only score of the day. If he can duplicate that effort in Columbus, Eric Glover-Williams will be one heck of a return man in college.
One top Ohio State target, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, had a huge impact on the game. The Connecticut star had two sacks and four tackles, one of the best performances of the day. Ohio State is hoping to add another disruptive defensive lineman to the class; alas, Wilkins committed to Clemson on Monday morning.
GIBSON AND WEBER SHINE IN SAN ANTONIO
Seven more Ohio State commits played in the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio, Texas. They made the most of the festivities, forming an O-H-I-O with people to spare.
Torrance Gibson started at quarterback for the East squad and played well in limited time. Gibson completed 5 of 8 passes for 47 yards. He can play quarterback at the next level, though he might find it easier to get on the field as a back or receiver.
Mike Weber started at running back for the West, churning out 48 rushing yards on 10 carries. He also showed glimpses of a Beast Mode on a fourth quarter run, bulldozing several would-be tacklers. The Buckeyes should consider themselves fortunate to extract him from Michigan.
Future Buckeye RB Mike Weber dropping the hammer not once, but twice, in the Army All-American game. http://t.co/JCWdIsPlNE
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 3, 2015
Another starter for the West was defensive end Dre'Mont Jones. Jones had a quiet day, but had a J.J. Watt-like swat on a passing play. Jones had a good week of practice, which could boost his position rankings.
Also playing in the U.S. Army All-American game were long snapper Liam McCullough, offensive tackle Matt Burrell and linebacker Jerome Baker. Justin Hilliard was also invited to play, but sat out the game as he is still rehabbing an injury.
