Clifford Gets The Nod

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Eugene Clifford of Cincinnati has officially been named a 2007 U.S. Army All-American. He is the second athlete from the state of Ohio to be selected to the 2007 EAST Squad. Eugene Clifford 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 1:00 p.m. (EST) and will feature the nation’s top 80 high school football athletes.

Since its inception, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been a key launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars including countless Ohio State Buckeyes. Eugene Clifford joins the likes of Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Brady Quinn, and Adrian Peterson who all made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has also become the key platform for college announcements. In 2004, Ted Ginn Jr. and Marcus Freeman announced their futures as Ohio State Buckeyes during the bowl live on NBC. Maurice Wells followed suite in 2005 and in 2006 the U.S. Army Pete Dawkins MVP Winner, Chris Wells, and fellow teammate Robert Rose announced they would dawn the Ohio State Buckeye uniform. 2002 U.S. Army All-American and Ohio State Alum, Nick Mangold went onto the next level when he was selected in the first found of the NFL draft by the New York Jets.

Eugene Clifford is a standout safety at Colerain High School and was one of 400 players nominated nationally and then ultimately selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee.

"Clifford is a very good athlete that could play either safety position because he can support the run so well and he plays the pass even better," said Jamie Newberg, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "He has terrific instincts and anticipation, especially in playing against the pass. Clifford is a thief in the alley and has a good break on the ball. He is also good in the air and is not afraid to deliver a blow, whether it's to a receiver in the open field or a running back in the hole."

Clifford is rated as the nation's number three safety by Scout.com and a five star prospect. He is one of the fastest rising prospects in the Scout.com National 100 and the number two prospect from the state of Ohio. He committed to the Buckeyes in September.