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 U.S. All-American Bowl
Twinsburg High School | OH
High School: Twinsburg High School (OH)
- A native of Romania, Mesko immigrated with his family at the age of twelve and settled in the Cleveland suburb of Twinsburg. Serving as both placekicker and punter, he lettered all four years of high school and was named All-County as a junior and All-State as a senior. Mesko was named best scholar-athlete in his conference in 2004, and committed to Michigan over a host of Ivy League schools.
College: University of Michigan
- Mesko redshirted his first year at Michigan, but won the punting job in 2006 and proceeded to rewrite the record books. He became the Wolverines’ all-time leader in punts and punt yardage halfway through his junior year, and was named All-Big Ten his final two seasons. In the classroom, Mesko earned Academic All-Big Ten honors all four years and was an Academic All-American in 2009.
NFL: New England Patriots, Selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, 5th Round, 150th Overall
- Mesko was the first specialist selected in the 2010 NFL Draft and immediately took over the punting role for the Patriots. He punted 58 times and finished the season with a 38.4 yard net average, setting an NFL rookie record. Last season, Mesko improved his average, net average, punts inside the 20 and punts fair caught, while decreasing the number of touchbacks. His 41.5 yard net average led the AFC and was good for third in the NFL. Mesko has the big leg to thrive in the Foxboro winds and is another late-round find for the Patriots.
- Zoltan Mesko
- Connor Barth
