Friday, December 7, 2012
LB Myles Jack receives U.S. Army jersey
By Mason Kelley
BELLEVUE, Wash. -- At the end of a hectic week, Myles Jack (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue) said he has been “everywhere and back” in the past few days.
After helping the nation’s No. 2 program win its fifth straight state title last week, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker made appearances on local TV and radio stations before accepting his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey Friday during an assembly at the school.
“This is a crazy week, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” the UCLA commit said. “It’s great.”
On a day when Bellevue honored the accomplishments of all its fall sport athletes, the Wolverines saved Jack’s presentation for last. He put on the jersey and a black hat with the game’s logo on the front before thanking the Army, his mother, LaSonjia, and his coaches and teammates.
“This just caps off the season as a whole for the Bellevue Wolverines class of ’13 team,” Jack said. “For me to be nominated for this award, it is really a team thing. It’s not really for me. It’s all that we’ve accomplished. It’s all added up to this and I’m thankful. I’m grateful for this.”
Jack will play in the game Jan. 5. It will be the last time he puts on pads as a high school athlete.
“I always had a dream of doing this, but it wasn’t a main goal,” he said. “For it to happen the way it’s happened, it’s just a blessing. I can’t even explain it, just how fast it’s come. My high school career is over and to top it off like this is perfect.
“This is it. High school football, everything, this is pretty much a closing statement. Now I’ve just got to play in the game and represent for the school and the community.”
Once Jack returns from the game, he will fit in his official visits. He had an official visit to Washington scheduled for Jan. 18, but UCLA wants him to visit the same weekend.
It seems like each school on his list is hoping to land the four-star recruit's final visit, making it difficult to set his schedule. Now that his busy week is over, he plans to sit down with his mother this weekend and plan out each week leading up to signing day Feb. 6.
“I’ve got to get them all mapped out,” Jack said.
The senior recently received the latest pitch from Washington when he met with defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox during an in-home visit at The Keg restaurant.
“They just kind of made a presentation,” Jack said. “It was cool. They were just talking about how they would use me, not only on defense, but on offense, too, which was cool. They thought I could, maybe, help them offensively. They’re putting it all on the line, on the table.
“I’ve just got to evaluate everything and go off my officials.”
