Walker Little (Photo: AAG)

Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas) offensive tackle Walker Little is a five-star recruit being recruited by some of the top football programs in the country, so there’s little doubt he’s one of the top players in the class of 2017.

However, at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jan. 7 in San Antonio, Little hopes to prove himself even further.

“Going against some of the best players in the country and seeing where I stack up should give me a good judgment point for how I’m going to play at the next level,” he said.

Little was presented with his honorary U.S. Army All American Bowl jersey Monday at his school as part of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

“It’s a great opportunity for me and for my school, as well,” Little said. “It’s a big honor.”

Walker Little presented his parents, Doug and Sara Little, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

Aside from the chance to measure up against fellow five-star recruits, Little said there is a personal reason why he chose to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

“Both of my grandfathers served in the military, so it meant a lot to me to be able to play in front of the men and women that serve our country,” he said.

The next step for Little is choosing a college. He has a host of offers, and has taken visits all over the country, from Florida State to Stanford to Ole Miss and beyond. Still, he claims he’s in the process of narrowing his choices down, which he has found difficult. He expects to make a final decision by mid-December.

Until then, he’s looking forward to what the week in San Antonio has in store.

“I’m excited for the experience,” he said. “It’s a big deal and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Luiji Vilain with his Dream Champion award that will be given to mentor Victor Tedondo (Photo: Intersport)

Luiji Vilain is from Canada, but he’s proud to be an Under Armour All-American.

Vilain, a four-star Michigan defensive end commit from Ottawa, received his honorary jersey Monday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to high school, Episcopal Academy in Alexandria, Va.

Vilain received his jersey in front of family, friends and teammates.

“The aspect of the game I am looking forward to the most is competing with all the best players, because I always want to compete against the best in whatever I do,” he said.

The 6-4, 238-pound Vilain is ranked as the No. 10 defensive end and No. 2 player in the state of Virginia by ESPN. He committed to Michigan in June and is the second highest-ranked player in the Wolverines class behind quarterback Dylan McCaffrey from Valor Christian in Colorado.

“My dream on the football field is to be the most dominant player at all times,” he said.

Luiji Vilain poses with his teammates after he received his Under Armour All-America Game jersey (Photo: Intersport)

He is looking to continue the recent run of Michigan plays in the Under Armour game. Five future Wolverines suited up last year, led by No. 1 overall player Rashan Gary. Vilain and offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert from American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) are among the Michigan commits set for the Jan. 1 game in Orlando.

Vilain is viewed as the perfect for defensive coordinator Don Brown’s system because he can rush the passer standing up as a linebacker or with this hand in the ground as a defensive end.

Tylan Wallace receives his Under Armour All-America game jersey (Photo: Intersport)

Tylan Wallace continues his climb up the charts for most career receiving yards in Texas and is now within the Top 15 in state history.

While the yards at the Under Armour All-America Game won’t count on his total, Wallace has earned his place among the nation’s best at Jan. 1 showcase in Orlando.

Wallace, ranked as the No. 11 receiver in the Class of  2017 by ESPN and the No. 73 player overall, received his honorary jersey Monday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school, South Hills in Fort Worth.

(Photo: Intersport)

The 6-foot Wallace is an Oklahoma State commit.

The wide receiver vs. defensive back battles are among the most heated in practices and during the Under Armour game.

“My dream on the football field is to be the best I can be,” Wallace said. “I also want to be the best at my position out on the field.”

Nick Brahms receives his Army All-American Bowl jersey (Photo: Army All-American Bowl)

Nick Brahms has his U.S. Army All-American jersey, but the Auburn commit won’t be able to play in the Jan. 7 game in San Antonio.

Brahms, ranked as the No. 3 guard prospect in the Top 247, broke a fibula and damaged knee ligaments in preseason practice in mid-August, ending his senior season before it began. He was wearing a walking boot as recently as two weeks ago.

He did, however, get to celebrate his selection with family, friends and teammates when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his high school, Navarre (Fla.).

“I went to all those camps as a kid and the main goal was to be an Army All-American,” he said, according to the Navarre Press. “It’s amazing to accomplish it. To represent the Army in this game is a major honor.”

Nick Brahms presented his parents, Keith & Brigitte Brahms and Grandparents Blas & Marcela Brahms, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

He is the first player from his school to be chosen for the Army Bowl.

Brahms, who is 6-4 and 290, had been a starter since his freshman year and was a big part of Navarre being among the top rushing teams in Florida in 2015 when it finished with an undefeated regular season.

At the next level, Brahms will be joined by five-star offensive tackles Calvin Ashley and Austin Troxell as the Tigers have put together the top recruiting class for offensive linemen.

Brahms had 35 reported offers before choosing Auburn in July over other SEC programs such as Mississippi State, Tennessee and Florida.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott scrambles against Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Marcus Smith (Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott got the star treatment when he, Ezekiel Elliott and the team’s rookies visited a junior high in Arlington, Texas, to launch a program called Character Playbook, an online course designed to help middle school students develop character and engage in healthy relationships, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Prescott urged the students at Workman Junior High to “be more outgoing” as a means develop confidence.

“It could be something simple … hanging out with a certain group, talking in front of people, reading in front of the class, whatever it may be, face your fears,” he said. “Don’t be scared to do that. Don’t be scared to fail. Sometimes it’s the only way you’ll find success some time. Get back up and do it again. Face those fears, continue to do that and be more outgoing.”

He also urged the students that now was the time.

“Get that confidence now in middle school so you can go into high school and start having that success and start feeling good about yourself,” he said. “Your character is what defines you, it what makes you feel good about yourself and when you do that, life will be a lot easier.”

Here is the schedule for games this weekend involving Super 25 teams. Cast your vote as to which is the top game.

RELATED: Super 25 Expert Rankings

RELATED: Super 25 Computer Rankings

Mitch Hall (Photo: AAG)

When you are a long snapper, you have to find unique ways to show off your special skill, right?

Here’s Mitch Hall snapping a ball off the back of a ski boat to person riding in an inner tube behind him.

And here’s a fun story that a TV station did with Hall about his accuracy snapping the ball.

But Hall also knows how to get serious when it comes game time and his accuracy as a snapper is what helped him earn a selection to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

A Louisville commit, Hall received his honorary jersey Tuesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school, Clayton High in North Carolina.

Mitch Hall presented his parents, Neal and Erin Hall, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

Hall is ranked as the No. 2 long snapper nationally by ChrisSailerKicking.com and RubioLongSnapping.com.

He also is among a select group of long snappers to earn scholarships. According to the Scout.com database, in 2016, only six long snappers nationally signed a national letter of intent. In 2015, there were 14.

Hall had offers to be a preferred walk-on at a number of schools, but was offered a scholarship from the Cardinals and accepted in early October.

But before he gets to campus, he will finish his high school career in San Antonio on Jan. 7.

J.K. Dobbins (Photo: AAG)

JK Dobbins, the top-ranked all-purpose back in the nation, saw his senior season end on his team’s first play on offense.

Dobbins, from La Grange (Texas), suffered a broken bone in his right leg and a severely sprained ankle against Liberty Hill in the Aug. 26 opener. While there had been hope he might return this season, the decision was made to shut him down.

His attention is now largely turned toward Ohio State. He committed to the Buckeyes in March and is scheduled to make his official visit this weekend.

His high school playing career might be over, but his accomplishments have earned him the distinction of being a U.S. Army All-American. He received his honorary jersey Tuesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

The Army Bowl is Jan. 7 in San Antonio.

Dobbins showed off his athletic ability at The Opening Final in Oregon in July when he posted a composite score of 146.76 to capture the title of the Nike+ Football Rating champion aka the “Top Athlete.” He ran the 40 in 4.45 seconds, completed the cone drill in 4.09 seconds, jumped 43.1 inches and threw the medicine ball 42 feet, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

J.K. Dobbins presented his mom, Mya Grounds, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

Dobbins ran for more than 2,200 yards and had 35 touchdowns in 11 games as a junior. He needed 2,010 yards to become the Austin area’s leading career rusher.

Ohio State remained committed to Dobbins and he said he is getting high praise from coach Urban Meyer, who compared him to former Buckeyes star Ezekiel Elliot.

“Coach Meyer said I was better than Zeke when he was my age,” Dobbins told the Austin American Statesman.

Dobbins was asked if he intends to be the next Elliott.

As we have since the midway point of the season, we’re checking back in on which states have the most undefeated teams.

The total right now stands at 714.

Last season, 139 teams in 11-man football finished without a loss with Texas leading the way with nine. New York and Florida had eight each.

As of today, Texas is in the lead with 46 followed by New York at 40. California has 37, Florida has 35,  while Illinois has 33, and Ohio has 31.

Here is the listing by state:

Alaska: 1

Alabama: 18

Arkansas: 11

Arizona: 9

California: 37

Colorado: 9

Connecticut: 13

District of Columbia: 1

Delaware: 4

Florida: 35

Georgia: 25

Hawaii: 0

Iowa: 13

Idaho: 7

Illinois: 33

Indiana: 12

Kansas: 12

Kentucky: 7

Louisiana: 24

Massachusetts: 16

Maryland: 14

Maine: 6

Michigan: 31

Minnesota: 19

Missouri: 18

Mississippi: 7

Montana: 3

North Carolina: 23

North Dakota: 2

Nebraska: 7

New Hampshire: 4

New Jersey: 23

New Mexico: 3

Nevada: 5

New York: 40

Ohio: 31

Oklahoma: 14

Oregon: 7

Pennsylvania: 27

Rhode Island: 3

South Carolina: 8

South Dakota: 4

Tennessee: 18

Texas: 46

Utah: 3

Virginia: 15

Vermont: 2

Washington: 18

Wisconsin: 15

West Virginia: 9

Wyoming: 2

Like most top recruits planning to announce on National Signing Day, Nathan Proctor Jr. will be busy in January. But Proctor will begin 2017 by playing in the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando on Jan. 1.

Proctor, the No. 6 outside linebacker in the nation and No. 3 player overall in Maryland according to ESPN, received his honorary jersey Tuesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school, Lackey High in Indian Head, Md.

Proctor was able to celebrate his selection in front of family, friends and teammates.

Proctor with Dream Award winner coach John Lush (Photo: Intersport)

Proctor already has late January visits scheduled for Penn State and Ole Miss and a December visit to Virginia Tech. He has yet to determine where his other two visits will be.

“My football dream is to make it to the NFL and have a long career playing football,” he said.

At 6-2, 217 pounds with 4.55 speed, Proctor is strong and athletic but also has a pitbull type aggressiveness that has served him well on the field.

He is among the big reasons why Lackey is 8-1 heading into the regular season finale against Calvert (Prince Frederick, Md.). The Chargers have allowed 80 points in nine games and only two teams have reached double digits.

St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) easily handled JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) last week, winning 47-19. Linebacker Cross Poyer was a huge part of the win, as he impacted the game on both sides of the ball.

Check out his highlights below, courtesy of #D1Bound.

Narbonne (Calif.) is currently unbeaten, and dual-threat QB Jalen Chatman is a big reason why.

The Gauchos blasted San Pedro (Calif.) 49-3 last week, and he was finding the endzone with relative ease.

Check out his highlights courtesy of #D1Bound.

Aubrey Solomon (Photo: AAG)

Aubrey Solomon has a lot to play for at the U.S. Army All-American Game.

His uncles and grandfather served in the Army and his mother served in the Navy.

But on the day he was to receive his honorary Army Bowl jersey, his thoughts went to his uncle, Army Specialist Nathaniel Caldwell. Caldwell died in 2003 when he was in a vehicle accident while in combat overseas. He left a young family behind.

“I’m dedicating this game to my uncle who died, but also to my other uncle, my grandfather and my mom,” he said. “We’re a military family. This game is very dear to me.”

Yes, Solomon is ranked as the No. 5 defensive tackle recruit in the country by 247Sports, is concerned about the game, but he understands the sacrifices made by the members of the armed forces.

Solomon received his honorary jersey Tuesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school, Lee County in Leesburg, Ga.

“I want to honor the people who represented and fought for the country,” he said. “I want to play with some of the best in the nation and getting coached by some of the best in the nation and take it all in, but it’s about the servicemen and servicewomen.”

The matchups in the trenches in practice and the game always draw a lot of attention and Solomon is ready.

“I’m very excited to play against the nation’s best,” he said. “I really can’t wait. I’m getting ready to get after it.”

What makes Solomon so special is his ability to stop the run.

Aubrey Solomon presented his family with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: AAG)

“I believe I’m a good run stopper and can clog up a hole,” he said. “But I can get to the ballcarrier. At 295, that’s not really common, but I can flat-out run after the ballcarrier. I Might not be the strongest or the quickest, but I will finish the play. I will give you 110 percent.”

Solomon, a former Michigan commit, will bring his mother with him this weekend for an official visit to Maryland. He also is believed to be looking at Georgia, LSU, Clemson and Alabama and possibly others.

“Right now I haven’t been focused on recruiting,” he said. “I’m taking it slow and worrying about my senior year and what Lee County has to do to make it to the next level. I know once the season is over and recruiting is in full swing, I’ll be going after it. I’m still pretty open and I’m going to start cutting it down piece by piece to find out what I want to do.”
Of course, being from Georgia, he knows where people in his hometown want him to go.

It’s a daily thing,” he said. “My friends, people who see me at school, ‘You gotta go to UGA. You gotta go to UGA.’ It really doesn’t get annoying. I’m glad they’re thinking of me. I guess I just like input.”

Hamidou Diallo. (Photo: adidas)

Hamidou Diallo, ranked as the No. 11 player in the Class of 2017 by ESPN, has narrowed his choices to six schools, he announced Tuesday on Twitter.

The Final 6 are Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Connecticut.

The 6-5 Diallo, the top-ranked shooting guard, is in a post-grad year for Putnam Science Academy (Conn.) and is originally from Queens, N.Y.

Diallo is coming off a dominating summer with the NY Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 19.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

He caused a stir in late September when he told Scout.com that he was eligible for the NBA Draft this June because he had already graduated high school and was considering it. He later said his priority is going to college.

A Pennsylvania high school football player is in need of a bone marrow transplant, leading the city’s Central Blood Bank to urge all residents of black ancestry to be tested.

DiMante Bronaugh, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, was told by doctors at the the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital that two matches were found. But they were devastated when the potential matches withdrew and opted not to be donors, according to a statement released by the blood bank.

That has led to the search for another potential match. Only 7% of bone marrow registry members are black, according to the Central Blood Bank.

Bronaugh was a promising football player at Aliquippa two years ago, rushing for 1,200 yards and helping the team to the WPIAL Class AA title. Then came the diagnosis that sidelined him. He was able to return to the sideline for a game last September to cheer on his teammates, wearing a hospital mask.

Classmates have held events and a blood drive to support him in hopes of finding a match.

He was then in remission and thought he might be able to return to the field, but his leukemia returned in August.

Community Donor Centers in Pittsburgh can be reached at 412-209-7000 or at centralbloodbank.org.

DiMantae Bronaugh (Photo: KDKA)

Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas) is the new No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/American Volleyball Coaches Association Super 25.

MORE: See the full Super 25 rankings

Oak Ridge finished the regular season undefeated at 43-0 and enters the Texas 6A regionals this week.

Oak Ridge had been No. 2 and moved up following a loss by former No. 1 Midway (Waco, Texas) to Reagan (San Antonio). Midway dropped to No. 6 in this week’s Super 25.

Mother McAuley (Chicago) moved up a spot to No. 2 and won the regional championship in Illinois. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif) is No. 3 and begins play in the CIF sectional tournament after earning a bye in the first round.

Corona del Sol (Tempe) goes from No. 6 to No. 4 and is heading to the Arizona 6A tournament.

Skutt Catholic (Omaha) rounds out the Top 5, moving up from No. 7, after winning the River Cities Conference tournament.

After Midway, Sacred Heart (Louisville), Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), Eagan (Minn.) and Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio) round out the Top 10.

Three new teams are in the Super 25 this week led by No. 11 Olathe Northwest (Olathe, Kan.). Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) is No. 24 and Brentwood (Tenn.) is No. 25.

USA TODAY High School Sports is revealing the 2016-17 Super 25 Preseason Boys Basketball Teams. Teams 25 to 16 will be released Wednesday with teams 15 to 1 released on Thursday.

Each post contains analysis, key players and more from USA TODAY Sports’ Jim Halley

The Super 25 has been a staple of USA TODAY for more than 30 years and highlights the best teams around the nation.

MORE: Meet the preseason ALL-USA Boys Basketball Team

LOOKBACK: 2015-16 Final Super 25 Boys Basketball rankings

Click on a team below for more information.

Derek Kerstetter receives his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey (Photo: Army All-American Bowl)

As National Signing Day for the Class of 2016 came last February, Reagan (San Antonio) junior offensive tackle Derek Kerstetter had no Football Bowl Subdivision offers.

Within a span of two days last February, Kerstetter picked up five. By early June, he had 12.

In mid-June, he became the first offensive line commit in the Class of 2017 for Oklahoma State.

Now, he’s officially a U.S. Army All-American.

The 6-5, 280-pound Kerstetter received his honorary jersey Wednesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to his school.

Kerstetter is perhaps underappreciated in recruiting circles as a three-star prospect ranked as the No. 41 offensive tackle by 247Sports, but he has routinely mauled defenders and can play tackle or guard on either side.

He will get to finish his high school career in his home state at the Army Bowl on Jan. 7 in San Antonio.

Anthony McFarland Jr. figures to be a spectator at the Under Armour All-America Game, but that hasn’t diminished the honor of being selected.

The shifty running back from DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) suffered a broken leg in a scrimmage before the season opener and has not played this season.

McFarland received his honorary jersey Wednesday when the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance came to DeMatha.

Anthony McFarland presented his dad, Anthony McFarland Sr., with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Intersport)

He posted more than 900 total yards last season as DeMatha won its third consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. He had 1,124 yards rushing as a sophomore. The Stags are 9-0 this season and ranked No. 6 in the Super 25.

McFarland is ranked as the No. 8 running back in the nation, No. 2 player in Maryland and No. 70 player overall by ESPN.

He has a listed Top 5 of Alabama, Florida, Maryland, Miami and Tennessee, but also has taken an official visit to Penn State.

The defense for No. 18 Trinity (Louisville) swarms a player for St. Xavier (Photo: Courier-Journal)

Here is the Super 25 football schedule for games of Nov. 3-5. All times Eastern.

RANKINGS: Expert | Computer
1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-0)
Friday at Sierra Vista (Las Vegas), 10.

2. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-0)
Saturday at Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood), 1.

3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (9-0)
Friday vs. Junipero Serra (San Juan Capistrano), 10.

4. McGill-Toolen, Mobile, Ala. (10-0)
Friday vs. Jeff Davis (Montgomery) in first round of 7A playoffs, 8.

5. DeSoto, Texas (9-0)
Thursday at South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie), 8.

6. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (9-0)
Friday at Good Counsel (Olney), 8.

7. Allen, Texas (9-0)
Friday vs. Wylie, 8.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale (6-2)
Friday at Flanagan (Pembroke Pines), 7.

9. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (10-0)
Friday vs. Cesar Chavez (Laveen) in first round of 6A playoffs, 10.

10. Centennial, Corona, Calif. (8-1)
Friday vs. Martin Luther King (Riverside), 10.

11. Roswell, Ga. (9-0)
Friday vs. Cherokee (Canton), 7:30.

12. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (7-2)
Friday vs. Lutheran (Orange), 10.

13. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (9-0)
Next: Friday at Duluth, 7:30.

14. Colerain, Cincinnati (10-0)
Friday vs. Springboro in Division 1, Region 4 playoff, 7:30.

15. Cass Tech, Detroit (10-0)
Friday at Dearborn in Division I district playoff, 7.

16. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (11-0)
Friday at Lehi in 5A quarterfinal, 6.

17. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (8-0)
Friday vs. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) in Philadelphia Catholic League 6A semifinal in Chester, 7:30.

18. Trinity, Louisville (10-0)
Friday vs. Ohio County (Hartford) in first round of 6A playoffs, 8.

19. John Curtis, River Ridge, La. (8-0)
Thursday vs. Archbishop Shaw (Marrero) in Metairie, 8.

20. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (7-2)
Saturday vs. Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 3.

21. Warren Central, Indianapolis (9-1)
Friday vs. Southport (Indianapolis) in sectional final, 7.

22. Kahuku, Hawaii (10-1)
Idle.

23. Jenks, Okla. (9-0)
Saturday vs. Edmond Santa Fe (Edmond), 8:30.

24. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (10-0)
Saturday vs. Oswego East (Oswego) in second round of 8A playoffs, 2.

25. Liberty, Henderson, Nev. (8-1)
Friday vs. Valley (Las Vegas) in first round of Sunrise Region playoffs, 10.