By William Wilkerson
Special to the Star-Telegram
HALTOM CITY – Flanked by his coaching staff, faculty, teammates and cheerleaders, Haltom defensive end Reggie Wilson donned his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey for the first time early Monday.
In a ceremony in front of approximately 50 of his biggest supporters, Wilson became one of just 90 players out of 400 nominees and over 1 million prep athletes nationwide to be selected to the prestigious event to be held on January 9, 2010 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Noted alumni of the game, which is now in it’s 10th season, include: Vince Young, Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, DeSean Jackson, Joe Thomas, Haloti Ngata, Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez.
“It’s an honor knowing that these guys are not only having success in the NFL but also in college,” said Wilson, who has committed to Texas. “They are a great representation of football athletes in the country. I feel really honored to be playing in the same league as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. It’s great.”
Wilson (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) said he also had an offer to play in the Under Armour All-American game Jan. 2 in Orlando, but chose this game because of the location.
“My teammates told me it was too far away so they wouldn’t have a chance to see me,” said Wilson, who has never been to San Antonio. “When I made the decision to play in this one they were excited. It did encourage my decision because I wanted more people to come watch me play.”
Rivals.com rates Wilson as fourth-best defensive end in the nation and 24th best player in the country.
“I think the sky is the limit for his potential to grow as a football player,” said Haltom coach Scot Hafley, who is invited to take part in the U.S. Army Coaches Academy that features NFL and NCAA coaches. “As he grows and matures he’s only going to get bigger and faster. He asks us all the time what he needs to do to get better. If he always has that attitude I feel sorry for the guys that line up across from him.”
Talk to those in the Haltom program and Wilson as a person far outshines his dominance on the field.
“I’ve been around and coached some pretty special athletes, but no one who truly had a love for life and for what the United States offers with a free education,” Hafley said. “He’s amazingly humble for being such a tremendous athlete.”
Recent Comments