Washington Huskies: 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
UCLA commit Jack plans three key visits 
January, 6, 2013
Jan 6
5:53
PM PT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Three-star athlete Myles Jack (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue) has been UCLA solid since June. Whether he stays that way depends on three upcoming visits.
Jack, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound projected outside linebacker in college, confirmed he has an official visit to Arizona State on Friday. Following Arizona State, Jack will visit UCLA on Jan. 18, Washington on Jan. 25 and Oregon on Feb. 2.
Jack is solid with his commitment, but he said the three visits are necessary in reassuring that he wants to be a Bruin.
Jack, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound projected outside linebacker in college, confirmed he has an official visit to Arizona State on Friday. Following Arizona State, Jack will visit UCLA on Jan. 18, Washington on Jan. 25 and Oregon on Feb. 2.
Jack is solid with his commitment, but he said the three visits are necessary in reassuring that he wants to be a Bruin.
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SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) once thought he’d be a star basketball player. Even before then, he wondered if he’d be around to see an event like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Mathis on Thursday reflected on life decisions made during his earlier years in high schools. He never thought two years later, he’d be announcing where he would play college football on national television. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound end verbally committed to Washington.
Mathis chose the Huskies over offers from USC, UCLA and Alabama. He is No. 251 in the ESPN 300 and the No. 22 defensive end.
“God blessed me with something I didn’t know I had,” Mathis said. “My life wasn’t headed the right way. Freshman and sophomore year, I was doing the stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I finally changed it around.
“I thought I was going to be a basketball player, but I’m really happy I went this way.”
In addition to being a standout defensive end, Mathis also is a four-year varsity basketball forward. He said once he stopped growing, he began to lift weights and focus more on football.
“Best decision I ever made,” Mathis said.
Mathis on Thursday reflected on life decisions made during his earlier years in high schools. He never thought two years later, he’d be announcing where he would play college football on national television. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound end verbally committed to Washington.
“God blessed me with something I didn’t know I had,” Mathis said. “My life wasn’t headed the right way. Freshman and sophomore year, I was doing the stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I finally changed it around.
“I thought I was going to be a basketball player, but I’m really happy I went this way.”
In addition to being a standout defensive end, Mathis also is a four-year varsity basketball forward. He said once he stopped growing, he began to lift weights and focus more on football.
“Best decision I ever made,” Mathis said.
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer) decommitted from USC days before arriving at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. As he and the rest of the players prepare for Saturday’s big game, he was asked about the seven players expected to announce where they would play college football during the game.
Vanderdoes, the nation’s No. 4 defensive tackle, then gave his opinion about him potentially being the eighth player to announce.
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SAN ANTONIO -- It’s rare not to find USC commit and ESPN 150 outside linebacker Michael Hutchings (Concord, Calif./De La Salle) alongside another Trojans commit at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. After all, there are 13 USC-bound athletes in San Antonio, and a couple of uncommitted players are considering the Trojans.
“We’ve spent most of our time together at the hotel -- all 13 of us,” Hutchings said. “Wherever we go, we look like a big clan. We’re going to be with each other for 3-4 years at least.”
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
12:08
PM PT
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
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U.S. Army Bowl: Tuesday notebook
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
4:52
PM PT
By
William Wilkerson and
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO – ESPN 150 wide receiver James Quick (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) has drawn plenty of attention for his play through two practices for the East team in preparation for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
He’ll garner even more eyes his way on Saturday when he announces his commitment during the game.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said he is down to Louisville, Ohio State and Oregon. Though his decision will come Saturday, it could be finalized by Wednesday morning, as he sits down to discuss his options with his parents, who are in town for the event.
He’ll garner even more eyes his way on Saturday when he announces his commitment during the game.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said he is down to Louisville, Ohio State and Oregon. Though his decision will come Saturday, it could be finalized by Wednesday morning, as he sits down to discuss his options with his parents, who are in town for the event.
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ABOUT HUSKY NATION
Mason Kelley
Mason Kelley joined ESPN.com in 2012 and covers Washington recruiting. Kelley came to ESPN after spending three years as the high school sports coordinator at The Seattle Times. He has written about high school, college and professional sports since 2004, working for newspapers in Florida, California, Idaho and Washington. He currently lives in Seattle and can be reached at masonkelleyESPN@gmail.com.