(SAN ANTONIO) Jan. 6, 2012 - The U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee has announced Dorial Green-Beckham as the 2012 U.S. Army Player of the Year, given to the nation’s most outstanding senior in high school football. The announcement was made Friday night at the U.S. Army Awards Dinner at the San Antonio’s Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Green-Beckham, a wide receiver at Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Mo., was presented with the Ken Hall Trophy, which is modeled after Ken “Sugar Land Express” Hall, high school football’s all-time leading rusher.
“I want to thank God. I want to thank my family for all they have done for me. I want to thank my teammates and all my coaches, and finally I want to thank all of you for giving me the support to help make me the player I am today,” said Green-Beckham.
Dorial Green-Beckham Named 2012 U.S. Army Player Of The Year
The Missouri prospect is considered the best receiver since Julio Jones and A.J. Green of the 2008 class.
"Every U.S. Army All-American reflects the characteristics found in the Army Strong Soldier and possesses a mental, emotional and physical strength like no other," said John Myers, Director, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. "Dorial has distinguished himself even further by his on-field leadership. We are proud to recognize Green-Beckham for his strengths and congratulate him on his selection as the 2012 U.S. Army Player of the Year."
"Green-Beckham is 6-foot-6, 220 pounds with room to play at 240-plus, he runs in the 10.7 range in the 100 meters, triple jumps 45 feet and is dominant in every aspect on the football field. What more do you want? As a junior, Green-Beckham caught 78 passes for 1,706 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging an amazing 21.87 yards-per-catch despite constant attention and safety coverage over the top. This followed a sophomore season in which he caught 66 passes for 1,616 yards and 23 touchdowns. An easy choice for Rivals.com's #1 player in the 2012 class," said Mike Farrell, Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst.
Green-Beckham set the national career receiving yards record with 6,447 and finished the 2011 season with 119 catches for 2,234 yards and 24 touchdowns. Both Rivals.com and MaxPreps list him as the top overall recruit. He is strong and can use his size to fight off defenders and to shield the defender from the ball, particularly in the redzone. He has excellent speed and is a deep threat and big hands that allow him to catch the ball away from his body or snag the ball out of the air or over his head.
The Player of the Year selection process began this past 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; 2002 - Lorenzo Booker; 2003 - Chris Leak; 2004 - Adrian Peterson; 2005 - Ryan Perrilloux; 2006 - Mitch Mustain; 2007 - Jimmy Clausen; 2008 - Terrelle Pryor; 2009 - Bryce Brown; 2010 - Dillon Baxter; and 2011 - Demetrius Hart.
