WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Lakota West senior middle linebacker Xavier Peters has committed to play in the 2018 Under Armour All America Game.
Peters, one of state’s top recruits in the 2018 class, tweeted the news Wednesday. Lakota West coach Larry Cox confirmed his commitment to WCPO Thursday.
“It’s a really neat deal,” Cox said. “It just adds to the memories.”
Peters is the third Lakota West football player in the Firebirds’ program history to play in the nationally televised all-star game. He joins Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (2011) and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks (2010) as the other Firebirds to play in the game.
“I’m blessed and thankful to say I am officially playing in the UA All-American Game,” Peters tweeted.
The 2018 game will be played in January at Camping World Stadium (formerly the Citrus Bowl) in Orlando. The game is expected to be televised live on ESPN.
Peters, who is 6-feet-4-inches and 225 pounds, leaves for Beaverton, Oregon, Friday morning to travel to the prestigious Nike event, The Opening. That’s where several of the nation’s elite football players compete in a combine.
Peters told WCPO Thursday night he is just focused on preparing for The Opening for now.
Cox said he expects Peters will make a strong impact his senior year. Peters originally played wide receiver at Lakota West but moved to the middle linebacker position last season.
Peters has several significant scholarship offers including Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, UC, Penn State, Louisville, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, UCLA, South Carolina, West Virginia, University of Southern California, Wisconsin and several others.
He is rated the state’s No. 8 player overall in the 2018 class by 247Sports.
Peters is the second area player to commit to one of the two most nationally-renowned high school football all-star games.
Fairfield senior offensive lineman Jack Carman, one of the nation's top recruits in the 2018 class, committed to the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in October 2016.
Lakota West (2-8 in 2016) opens the season Friday, Aug. 25 against Elder (6-5) in the 20th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.
