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.
2001 W.S. All-American Bowl
Southern University Lab | LA
- Coming out of high school, Spears was a highly-regarded two-sport athlete, playing both basketball and football. On the football field, he was ranked as the nation's number one tight end prospect and the number three overall player by many analysts. Spears also excelled on the defensive line, earning First-Team All-State honors on both sides of the ball.
College: Louisiana State University
- Spears was no stranger to big plays. In 2003, he returned an interception for a touchdown in the National Championship game, the difference in a 21-14 victory for the Tigers over Oklahoma. Spears had his best collegiate year as a senior, earning First-Team All-America honors from several outlets. He tied his career-high in tackles, with 49, while adding nine sacks, the fourth-highest single-season total in LSU history.
NFL: Dallas Cowboys, Selected in the 2005 NFL Draft, 1st Round, 20th Overall
- Spears has been one of the league's most versatile defensive linemen since he joined the Cowboys in 2005. Overcoming several injuries, Spears has still managed to establish himself among the league's elite. In his rookie year, he was named to Pro Football Weekly's All-Rookie Team. He's become a regular starter on the Dallas defense, playing both defensive tackle and defensive end. In his career, Spears has seen action in all 64 games, starting 57. Last season, he set career highs in tackles (65), tackles-for-loss (5) and quarterback pressures (16).
- Marcus Spears
- Haloti Ngata
- Chris Long
- Barkevious Mingo
- Nick Perry
