SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee has chosen all-purpose back Dillon Baxter (Mission Bay High School, San Diego, Calif.) for the prestigious 2010 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award. The U.S. Army Player of the Year Award is given to the nation’s most outstanding senior high school football player. Baxter was presented with the Ken Hall Trophy, modeled after Ken “Sugar Land Express” Hall, high school football’s all-time leading rusher.

This year’s six other finalists were: Seantrel Henderson (Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn.), Marcus Lattimore (Byrnes High School, Duncan, S.C.), Ronald Powell (Rancho Verde High School, Moreno Valley, Calif.), Kyle Prater (Proviso West High School, Hillside, Ill.), Silas Redd (King and Low Heywood Thomas, Stamford, Conn.) and Robert Woods (Junipero Serra High School, Gardena, Calif.).

Baxter is one of the most exciting and explosive players on the West Coast, an athlete who makes plays on offense and defense. He enjoyed a senior season where he was named U.S. Army Player of the Week in October and ran wild for Mission Bay High School. A commit to USC, Baxter will be counted on to continue making plays for the Trojans next fall.

More on the other finalists

Never before in the history of recruiting has an offensive lineman finished the season as the nation’s top recruit, but Minnesota tackle Seantrel Henderson may do just that. Strong and powerful, Henderson’s 6'8" and 300 pound frame is buoyed by an athleticism honed on the basketball court.

With a rare combination of strength and power, Marcus Lattimore has become one of the most coveted running backs in the nation. He has offers from nearly every program in the SEC for good reasons as the Duncan, S.C. product already has the frame and skills to make an impact at the college level.

Perhaps the most intriguing prospect in this year’s class is Ronald Powell of Rancho Verde, Calif. Powell’s frame at 6'4" gives him the ability to be a dominant defensive end, but Powell is also being recruited as a tight end. With the likes of USC and Florida after him, Powell might well play both offense and defense at the college level.

Another physically impressive prospect, Kyle Prater, is a wide receiver that has been running wild for his Proviso West team in Illinois. Prater’s good frame is coupled with solid hands and speed. Prater is able to make plays, even while facing double and triple coverage. Another top recruit heading for USC, Prater makes everyone on the field aware of his presence.

The Nutmeg State has an exciting player in Silas Redd, who has proven to be a star on both offense and defense. Heading to Penn State this fall, Redd’s muscular frame coupled with good speed is accentuated with his shiftiness in the open field. It has been a long-time since Connecticut has produced a player as exciting as Redd, who is a leader both on and off the field.

Whether he plays as a safety or a wide receiver at the next level remains to be seen, but Robert Woods is one exciting athlete. He has been clocked running a 4.43 time in the 40 and has a distinct nose for the ball and making clutch plays for Junipero Serra High School in California. Heading to USC, Woods’ versatility should make him yet another exciting Trojan.

The selection process began this fall as players were evaluated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee and by coaches from around the country. Past U.S. Army Player of the Year winners include: 2001-Kevin Jones (Chicago Bears); 2002-Lorenzo Booker (Miami Dolphins); 2003-Chris Leak (Montreal Alouettes); 2004-Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings); 2005-Ryan Perrilloux (Jacksonville State); 2006-Mitch Mustain (USC); 2007-Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), 2008-Terrelle Pryor (Ohio State), and 2009-Bryce Brown (Tennessee).

For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com and www.goarmy.com.

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