The Road To The 2024 U.S. Army Bowl: Tate Spray
In the small town of Amity, Arkansas, Tate Spray has emerged as a standout player for the Centerpoint Knights football team. A towering presence at 6’5″ and 270 pounds, Tate’s journey from Centerpoint High School to being selected to partake in the prestigious US Army Bowl is a testament to his exceptional size, skill, and unwavering dedication.
Spray was a dominant force at the National Combine in Frisco, Texas, where he turned the heads of pretty much every coach in attendance. Of course, as we now know, this would all lead to his unsurprising selection to the Army Bowl.
I had a great weekend at the Army National Combine. I am also honored to be chosen to play in next year’s Army All American Bowl! Sincere thanks to @ArmyBowlCombine @USArmyBowl @JeffHecklinski for everything! I am looking forward to it. @ArRecruitingGuy@tctabler pic.twitter.com/LTrtYD08xk
— Tate Spray (@tatespray2025) December 19, 2023
Tate Spray’s exceptional ability as a lineman starts with his time at Centerpoint High School, where he quickly became a favorite of his coaching staff.
“(He’s a) big kid with good feet,” said Coach Cary Rogers. “Plays on the basketball team and has good footwork, bag drills and stuff like that. He really was aggressive for us last year. We expect that to keep getting better.
“He’s a smart kid, he can learn the schemes. He was really productive on offense and did a good job on defense when we played him. Pretty much expect him to play both ways all the time. I don’t think he’s done growing. He has some big uncles, so we think he might get even bigger.”
His versatility as an Offensive Tackle and Defensive Tackle showcased not only his physical prowess but also his keen understanding of the game. The way his coach described him is a testament to Tate’s agility on the field. Despite his already impressive stature, his coach believes Tate may not be done growing, hinting at a promising future ahead.
Last season, Tate’s aggressive playstyle contributed significantly to his team’s 5-2 in-conference record. His coach commended his performance on both sides of the ball, highlighting his productivity on offense and his tenacity on defense.
As the upcoming senior season approaches, the expectations are high, but so is Tate’s confidence. “I expect myself to play a big part in helping my team have a winning season,” he said.
Tate’s exceptional skills have not gone unnoticed. Sports Illustrated recently recognized him for his outstanding size and skill, particularly praising his performance at the US Army Bowl National Combine in Frisco, Texas.
Being selected as one of the exceptional athletes across the country for the US Army Bowl is a significant achievement, and Tate reflected on the honor.
“It’s a big pleasure knowing that not everyone gets to do it. I had hoped I would be selected when I went to the combine this year.”
As spring ball nears and the anticipation for his senior season builds, Tate looks forward to making more memories with his coaches and teammates. Beyond the field, he acknowledges the significance of the journey, stating, “I am looking forward to seeing what the next step the Lord has for me.”
In the midst of his athletic accomplishments, Tate Spray is navigating the recruitment process with a mix of excitement and patience. He has visited a handful of schools and was even able to make the roadtrip up to Fayetteville to visit the University of Arkansas. Despite not having received any offers yet, he remains optimistic.
I had a great visit to University of Arkansas today for Jr. Day! Thank you so much to all of the coaches and looking forward to talking to you again. @CoachSamPittman @CoachMateos @CoachSFountain @CochSFogarty @DSabock pic.twitter.com/3lmeJpD6uo
— Tate Spray (@tatespray2025) January 13, 2024
“It’s been a fun and interesting process visiting campuses and meeting coaches,” Tate shares. He emphasized his trust in a higher plan, stating, “I know in the end the Lord has a plan for me and he will lead me wherever I need to be.”
As the U.S. Army Bowl approaches, and Spray continues to perfect his craft, the Signing Day Sports team is looking forward to seeing him back on that field in Frisco. Good luck to him and the rest of the Centerpoint Knights in what will be Spray’s senior season in 2024.