Since 2001, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has showcased the nation's premier high school football talent. The level of play in these games has demanded the absolute highest levels of mental, emotional and physical strengths for those participating. The expansive and continually growing list of prominent alumni featured in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl's history stands as proof of this strength and the extraordinary level of competition. Some of the most notable All-American alumni include: Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, 2012 #1 NFL Draft Pick Andrew Luck, Marcus Lattimore and Robert Woods among many more.
As of the start of NFL training camps, there are more than 200 U.S. Army All-American Bowl alumni on NFL rosters. During the 2012 NFL Draft, 22 U.S. Army All-Americans were selected, including six first round selections. An incredible total of 51 U.S. Army All-Americans have been selected in the past two NFL Drafts. More and more U.S. Army All-Americans enter the NFL each season as the Army All-American Bowl continues to produce some of the game’s brightest stars on its biggest stage.
2005 All-American bowl
Mission Viejo High School | CA
- Sanchez was one of the premier talents in the class of 2005. As a senior, he was named the Parade All-American Player of the Year, and earned a selection to several other All-American teams. On the year, he completed 62 percent of his passes, and threw for 2,441 yards and 24 touchdowns, while leading Mission Viejo to the CIF Division II Championship. Sanchez threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to help lead the West team to a 35-3 win in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
College: University of Southern California
- Sanchez capped his collegiate career and First-Team All-Pac 10 junior season with a 413-yard, five-touchdown performance and Offensive MVP award in the 2009 Rose Bowl. His 3,207-yard, 34-touchdown junior season upheld USC’s recent tradition of excellence at the quarterback position, despite it being his first year as a college starter.
NFL: New York Jets, Selected in the 2009 NFL Draft, 1st Round, 5th Overall
- The Jets sacrificed first and second round picks and three players to secure Sanchez, and have not been disappointed. In 2009, the rookie signal-caller started all 16 games and led the franchise to an improbable AFC Championship Game appearance. Sanchez grew as a player in 2010, finding the end zone more often while decreasing interceptions, fumbles and sacks taken. Once again, Sanchez showed his leadership in January, taking the Jets to a second consecutive AFC Championship Game. Showing how much he trusts his 24-year-old passer, head coach Rex Ryan named Sanchez a captain for the 2011 season.
