Six linebackers were selected to the West squad. Three from the Golden State, three from the Lone Star State.
“It’s going to be fun out there with other great players especially at linebacker,” said Colton linebacker Allen Bradford, the third-ranked player at his position by Scout.com.
Joining Bradford is the Dallas (Tex.) Wilson’s Sergio Kindle (6-3, 225), Haltom City (Tex.) Haltom’s Anthony Lewis (6-1, 215) and Texarkana (Tex.) backer Dustin Earnest (6-3, 217).
The other two selections from California, Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds’ Josh Tatum (6-2, 220) and Los Angeles (Calif.) Dorsey’s Mark Johnson (6-3, 227) are both out for the game after each suffered season-ending injuries. Tatum tore his ACL while Johnson broke his hand.
Still, the linebackers of the West’s defense will be in good shape.
In Kindle,
Sergio Kindle
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the West has Scout.com’s top ranked linebacker and a verbal commit to Texas. Blessed with great size and speed, Kindle committed to the Longhorns back in April and gives the Texas faithful the closest thing to former Horns star Derrick Johnson.
Also playing running back for Wilson, Kindle made his mark on the defensive side of the ball and will anchor the defense against the East.
Bradford, ranked No.3 by Scout.com has done it on both sides of the field for Colton (Calif.) this past season The top defensive player in California, Bradford will be announcing at the U.S. Army Game which local school, UCLA or USC, will get his signature on Signing Day.
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Allen Bradford
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Though he has said he could play safety in college, and that he is open to it, Bradford will stay at the spot where he has made his mark this past season.
Lewis will choose between Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but he’ll not need to make a choice on his college position, as he is a prototypical linebacker.
Despite a sub par season by Haltom, Lewis made plays all over the field, racking up 135 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Anthony Lewis
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Another early commit to the Longhorns is Earnest, who decided back in March that he was staying in-state to wear the burnt orange of Texas.
A tough and aggressive playmaker, Earnest could play both inside or outside for the West.
Johnson and Tatum both would have supplied the West with excellent depth as both are ranked in the top 12 nationally at their position. And while their injuries will keep them out of the U.S. Army Game, it will only strengthen their hunger when they get to college.
For Tatum, a decision was made last week that he will continue his football career at USC.
Meanwhile, Johnson will choose from hometown school UCLA, Fresno State, California, LSU and Ohio State.
With a gifted group of running backs from their East counterparts, the West thinks its got the horses to stuff their running game.
“We’ve got some very talented players on the West and I can’t to play with them,” said Bradford. “We’re going to be hitting and having some fun come January 7th.”
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