FAIRFIELD, Ohio - Fairfield junior offensive lineman Jack Carman committed to the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
"It's an amazing honor," Carman told WCPO.com Wednesday morning. "It's humbling."
Carman, one of the nation’s top recruits in the 2018 class, announced his decision Tuesday night on Twitter.
Extremely blessed and excited to say that I've committed to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2018 ! #ArmyStrong pic.twitter.com/xj2CPBVMzM
— Jackson Carman (@Jackson_Carman) October 18, 2016
“I think it’s huge,” Fairfield coach Jason Krause told WCPO.com. “With the caliber of the game – to me it’s the national all-star event. It’s awesome. It includes leadership and character development and is backed by the U.S. government. It’s tremendous.”
The 2018 game is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It will be the 17th annual event and it’s shown live on NBC. Carman is the first area player to commit to a 2018 national all-star game.
The 2017 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be played Jan. 7 at the Alamodome. Miamisburg senior offensive lineman Josh Myers(Ohio State commit) will participate in that game.
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has produced 330 NFL Draft picks and 143 Division I first-team All-America selections since the game started in 2002.
Bowl officials texted Krause a few months ago and offered the 6-foot-6, 310-pound left tackle a roster spot. Bowl officials continued to check in with Krause on Carman’s season.
On Tuesday, Joe Bouffard, Assistant Vice President of Player Development along with 247Sports analyst Steve Wilftong and former Bengals player Keith Rucker watched Fairfield’s practice and extended the official invitation.
Carman, who has 33 reported scholarship offers, still considers Ohio State as his No. 1 school but he’s considering his other options too, Krause said.
Carman wore his U.S. Army All-American Bowl sweatshirt to school Wednesday and said he's enjoyed the recruiting process. He said he plans to commit after his senior season.
He's scheduled to visit Alabama Saturday for the Crimson Tide’s game against Texas A&M (2:30 p.m. kickoff).
Carman is the second player to play in one of the two major high school football invitation all-star games for Krause. New York Jets wide receiver Jalin Marshall, a former Ohio State standout, played in the Under Armour game in 2013 representing Middletown. Krause coached Marshall early in his high school career before accepting the Fairfield position in January 2011.
Fairfield (5-3) plays host to Lakota East (4-4) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Indians must win Friday and against visiting Hamilton (4-4) Oct. 28 in order to clinch a playoff spot, according to projections analyst Steve Shuck.
