Bowl Picks Nation's Top End

AVONDALE, AZ - Everson Griffen of Avondale has been named a 2007 U.S. Army All-American. He is the first athlete from the state of Arizona to be selected to the WEST Squad. He joins a group of extraordinary student-athletes selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

This classic East vs. West match-up will be televised live on NBC at 11:00 a.m. (MST) and will feature the nation’s top 80 high school football athletes.

Everson Griffen is a standout defensive end at Agua Fria High School and was one of 400 players nominated nationally and then ultimately selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee. He is rated as the nation's number one defensive end by selection committee member Scout.com.

"You won't find many 265 pounders who run a 4.5 forty yard dash," said West recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman of Griffen's time at the Los Angeles Scout.com Combine. "Griffen has amazing speed and quickness. He can be devastating off the edge due to his lightning-quick first step and overall athleticism."

As a U.S. Army All-American, Everson Griffen will have the opportunity during Bowl week to participate in a series of Army leadership and teamwork sessions, NFL athlete seminars, study hall sessions, and goal setting and achieving workshops.

“Everson Griffen is without a doubt one of the nation’s top pass rushers,” said Garrett Shea, Director of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “He already has the look of an NFL defensive end, with great size, speed and range. He is extremely quick around the edge and sheds blocks with the greatest of ease. In addition, he has great agility which helps him move around and create mismatches with the offensive line. Everson Griffen is a tremendous all-around athlete and the Bowl is proud to have him as a member of the U.S. Army All-American class of 2007.”