Blue-Grey All-American Bowl: East 23, West 20

Amy commit Taiwo Atunrase was among the high-profile prospects to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl.

Close from start to finish, right down to the wire, this one became in instant classic, with the nation’s top players in the Class of 2024 putting on a show during the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl as East prevailed over West, 23-20, at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on Dec. 18.

It didn’t matter where he lined up out there on the field, Tulsa commit Elijah Green commanded attention for the East. When all was said and done, the all-around effort included the the Defensive MVP award for coach and NFL veteran Seneca Wallace.

Green was in a class all his own. Still, Ball State commit Bodie Derrer and Missouri Valley Football Conference target Logan Butler, also Big Sky Conference target Adam Loum and Conference USA target Seth Shelton were reliable, it’s worth mentioning.

Try as he might for the West, Army commit Taiwao Atunrase did his very best to limit the effectiveness of his many opponents. He finished with six tackles, four unassisted, and two pass deflections.

Atunrase was in the running for Defensive MVP. So was Army commit Jonathon Williams, who nearly took home the honor for the the West with eight tackles, six solo stops and three for losses, with a sack.

For the East, MAC target Thomas Smith made plays all over the field. Same thing goes for Missouri Valley Football Conference target Amir Williams and Big Sky Conference target Kade Martin.

Central Michigan commit Dasan Smith was a force to reckon with on the East, led by coach and NFL veteran Ken Stills. He had plenty of help from Ohio Valley Conference target Steven Thomas.

For the West, on the defensive side of the ball, Utah commit Dalyn Ellison, Sun Belt Conference target Demond Davis and Big Sky Conference target Drew Caldwell were disruptive throughout.

Up front on the West, Conference USA target Braden Smith, Big Sky Conference target Taylen Robinson and Mountain West Conference target Aidan Thomas flexed their muscle.

Conference USA target Kenny Atunrase and Big Sky Conference target Kameron Harris were West options for Big Sky Conference target Randy Branton and Conference USA target Ayden Barrett.

Ohio Valley Conference target Daniel Zlatanov, Sun Belt Conference target Michael Wallace and Missouri Valley Football Conference target Zach Bentler got the job done on the East.

Sun Belt Conference target Donnie Brooks, Missouri Valley Football Conference target Dylan Niles and Colonial Athletic Association target Brady Echols made plays all over the field, too.

Pac-12 Conference target Isaiah Cuellar, Big Sky Conference target Porter Logan and Mountain West Conference target Landen Holloway turned some heads for the West.

Southland Conference target Azorion Sterling, Big Sky Conference target Terreck Fisher and Missouri Valley Football Conference target Ryker Grossner left lasting impressions on the East.