Drummond an All-American hit

It didn't make the Top 10 plays of the day on ESPN on Jan 3. But it was a play the entire nation had a chance to see on NBC.

It also was a play Morgan Park senior Craig Drummond probably never will forget.

The site was the Alamodome in San Antonio. The event was the Ninth Annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

A running back from the East squad had an idea about turning a handoff into a long gainer. But he hadn't counted on Drummond.

"I grabbed him with one hand, and he fell down," Drummond said. "That was my first (tackle). For having not played in more than a year, it felt really good when I hit him, when I got him."

The University of Illinois-bound Drummond, who missed the entire 2008 high school season because of a foot injury, saw several minutes of action for the West squad, which fell 30-17.

Drummond, a defensive end, recorded four tackles, including 1 1 / 2 tackles for loss and a half-sack. He was chosen honorable mention at his position in postgame All-American awards.

Former participants in the All-American Bowl include Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young and New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush.

During the week before the game, quarterback Daron Brown, of Morgan Park; running back Giorgio Bowers, of Rich Central; and offensive linemen John Thibideau and Zach Fulton, of Homewood-Flossmoor; joined 500 of the nation's underclassmen for the annual U.S. Army National Combine.

The three-day event, also held at the Alamodome, was for many of the players their first chance to show their abilities to college talent scouts from across the nation.

Participants were tested in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and 20-yard shuttle, and they took part in 1-on-1 drills.

"They didn't say it was a competition - but we took it as a competition," Thibideau said. "My (adrenaline) got to me, but in a good way. I just tried my hardest and did what I had to do. They told me I did pretty well.

"The Alamodome was pretty cool, the biggest place I've ever played in. It was nice being one of only 500 kids in the nation to get to do this."

Drummond's participation in the All-American Bowl came as a bit of a surprise. During summer practice, he suffered an injury to his left foot.

An All-State defensive lineman as a junior, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior was wearing a boot when the Mustangs opened their season against Brother Rice. He received word about his being chosen for the All-American game from Morgan Park coach Lexie Spurlock.

"When coach told me, I was a little surprised I was chosen, because I hadn't played all year," Drummond said. "I was nervous at first, real nervous. But when I stepped on the field, after I made that first play, I felt real good.

"There was a lot of talent (at the game). Playing in front of that crowd (32,732) just touched me. I never thought I'd play in a game like that in my life."

Back home, Spurlock was an eager viewer.

"It would have made me happier if he'd been ready to play ball all year," Spurlock said, chuckling. "But I'm happy for him because he's going off to college, and he's going to contribute to somebody's football program."

Tony Baranek can be reached at tbaranek@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-5947.