Jordan HammThe state of Arizona was well-represented in the various All-American games earlier this month.
For two, not only were they able to represent their high school but their future college as Chandler Wolves and ASU commits. Chase Lucas participated in the Army All-American game, and wide receiver N’Keal Harry impressed at the Under Armour All-American Bowl.
Lucas, predominantly a running back and wide receiver in high school, practiced as a defensive back, his presumed position in college. Getting a chance to prove himself against the country’s elite was huge for the four-star recruit.
“I got a really good jump off to it,” Lucas said. “It was a great, memorable moment and I’ll never forget it. (I’m) just feeling I’m at home at safety. I can cover the ball with my speed, and I have good hands like a receiver so it works for me and I feel like I can have a good future with it.”
Harry came in and instantly impressed throughout the week’s practices at the Under Armour Bowl. When it was all said and done, Harry had a game-leading five receptions and also added 32 receiving yards. Scouts attending the event said he could be a matchup problem for opposing defenses at the next level.
“It’s just motivation for me, seeing all that and seeing the hype that is written around me,” The four-star said. “I just feel like it just made me work harder and do the little things to progress my career.”
It wasn’t just the reps from Chandler though. Hamilton defensive tackle Garrett Rand, Desert Vista kicker Connor Culp and Saguaro defensive back Byron Murphy participated in the U.S. All-American Bowl, Mountain Ridge long snapper Turner Bernard appeared in the Under Armour All-American Bowl and Hamilton athlete Kyeler Burke, along with his head coach, Steve Belles, and Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns participated in the Sempe Fi Bowl. With representation like that, Arizona has reached new levels as a football state.
But according to Harry, there is room to grow.
“The state of football is very slept on, I think we have a lot of athletes that people from the south don’t come to see. There is just so much talent in Arizona, and if we keep getting the Arizona talent out there to All-American games, Arizona will be on the map for one of the best football states very soon.”
