In the panorama of American high school football, one event has consistently stood as a beacon of stateside sporting prowess, the US Army Bowl. Since its inception, this annual showdown has not just been a game; it’s been a rite of passage for young athletes destined for greatness. And while it may have been rebranded in the early 2000s, that has done nothing to alter the big game’s heritage, and it remains one of the grandest dates on the sporting calendar.

The US Army Bowl, commonly known as the Army All-American Bowl before a rebranding in the early 2000s, kicked off at the dawn of the new millennium. The inaugural game marked the beginning of what would become a storied tradition, showcasing the best high school football talent across the United States. Held annually in Texas, the game brings together 90 of the nation’s top high school seniors.

Over the years, the game has served as a significant stepping stone for young athletes, with many players receiving NCAA college scholarship offers based on their performances. But which players have gone on to become huge names in the big leagues?

Adrian Peterson

The list of NFL stars who once showcased their skills on the Army Bowl stage reads like a who’s who of football royalty. Perhaps no story is more emblematic of the game’s legacy than that of Adrian Peterson. Participating in the 2004 game, the running back dazzled scouts and fans alike with his explosive power and speed, setting the stage for a collegiate career as an Oklahoma Sooner and eventually becoming one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history.

The now-39-year-old wound down his career in 2021 with the Seattle Seahawks, but not before he had picked up a litany of awards. He won the MVP award in 2012 after a barnstorming year with the Minnesota Vikings in which he became just the seventh member of the 2,000-yard club, ending five years of quarterback dominance in which the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning had held the award hostage.

Throughout his storied career, he secured seven Pro Bowl selections as well as topping the league on three separate occasions in terms of rushing yards. Unfortunately for Peterson however, he could never manage to get his hands on the coveted Lombardi, coming closest in 2009 when he was downed in the NFC Championship game by the New Orleans Saints.

Jadeveon Clowney

The defensive side of the ball has its luminaries as well. Jadeveon Clowney, who played in the 2011 game, was already turning heads with his freakish athleticism and fearsome tackling ability. His performance at the Army Bowl solidified his status as the top high school prospect in the country, paving the way for a dominant stint at South Carolina and the distinction of being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was a participant in the 2011 game alongside the aforementioned Clowney, and he too is another standout. Known for his spectacular catches and dynamic playmaking ability, Beckham’s Army Bowl appearance was an early indicator of his potential to electrify crowds and make game-changing plays—a promise he has fulfilled at every level since. The former LSU star was one of the most popular players in the entire league throughout a four-year stint at MetLife Stadium with the New York Giants, but his career has faltered somewhat in the years since.

OBJ has turned out for the likes of the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams – where he would play a bit part role en route to becoming a Super Bowl champion – however, it wasn’t until he made the move to the Baltimore Ravens last term where he found a new home once more. The Maryland outfit finished the 2023 regular season as the top seeds in the AFC however, they were ultimately defeated in the conference championships by the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs. Next season, he is rumored to be on the move to the Miami Dolphins, a team that online football odds have made a +3000 outsider for the Lombardi.

Andrew Luck

Quarterbacks, too, have used the Army Bowl as a launching pad. Andrew Luck, whose participation in the 2008 game foreshadowed his ascent as one of the most cerebrally gifted players under center, went on to stellar success at Stanford and was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. His precision, poise, and leadership on display at the Army Bowl were just a prelude to his professional achievements.

Luck only played six seasons in the big leagues, but what six seasons they were. He was brought to Lucas Oil Stadium to replace the outgoing Peyton Manning, with the five-time MVP leading the Colts to the Lombardi in 2006 but opting to leave for the Denver Broncos. And their new man at the helm wouldn’t disappoint.

He threw for over 4,500 yards in his maiden campaign in 2012, helping his team into the postseason with an 11-5 record. And that was a sign of things to come. He threw for a career-best 4,761 yards in 2014 as he secured the touchdown leader award, but he was never able to lead the Indiana outfit back to the promised land. It looked as though injuries would end his career in 2017 as he missed the entire campaign, but he managed to summon up one last hurrah the following year, racking up a whopping 4,593 passing yards as he secured the Comeback of the Year award.