Blue-Grey All-American Bowl: West 35, East 28

Kansas State commit Navarro Schunke (right) was among the high-profile prospects to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl.

It was a back and forth affair, no one giving an inch, many of the country’s elite in the Class of 2024 and each of them giving it their best. In the end though, West prevailed over East, 35-28, during the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl held at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on Jan. 8.

The difference proved to be on the defensive side for the West, as Conference USA target Alfred Wilkerson was named Defensive MVP with a bowl record 4.5 sacks. Not to be outdone, Mountain West Conference target Omari Bursey scored on a a 92-yard interception return.

One of the bright spots for the East, was none other than Sun Belt Conference target Rod Ivy. Expected to be one of the game’s marquee names, with an offer count that could soon reach double digits, he lived up to the hype and ended with seven tackles, five solo stops.

While on the topic of defense, specifically down in the trenches and along the line for the East, the unit was loaded with high-caliber prospects, including Eastern Michigan commit Terrelle Ellmore, Ball State commit Dion Smith and MAC target Aydin Johnson.

Another name to remember for the East was SEC target Chase Couch. Son of Tim Couch, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, the younger edition took a big step forward and toward emerging from the shadows of his famous father with six unassisted tackles.

For the West, Kansas State commit Navarro Schunke grabbed headlines before, during, and after the game in the Lone Star State. Mountain West Conference target Zachary Markham and Conference USA target Houston Berry were others who opened up some eyes.

Big Sky Conference target Aiden Kehm, Missouri Valley Football Conference Jack Tews and Mountain West Conference target Lukas Jackson for the West made life easier on Conference USA target Armon Gardner and Sun Belt Conference Anthony Powell.

Mountain West Conference target Justice Spann was named Offensive MVP for the West, and deservedly so, with seven catches for 142 receiving yards a touchdown. Without much question, he was the go-to-guy for Conference USA target John David Black.

Missouri Valley Football Conference Taran Blasy did particularly well for the East, guided by coach and NFL veteran Ken Stills. Same thing, when if comes to the secondary play from the likes of MAC target Jermaine Agee and Sun Belt Conference target Carter Wells.

Also, American Athletic Conference target Jodi Freeman, Southern Conference target J’Von Lindsey and MAC target Tomago Daniels anchored the offensive line for the East. Colonial Athletic Association target Kenyon Slaughter-Keen took advantage of this, rightfully so.

Missouri Valley Football Conference target Gentry Dumont, American Athletic Conference target Mason Fortune, Ohio Valley Conference target Kolter Smith and Ivy League target Cuttler Adams benefitted from the play up front by Freeman, Lindsey and Daniels.

Conference USA target Brody Whitaker, Mountain West Conference target Jason Ussery, Big Sky Conference target Kian Vander Wilt and Southland Conference target LaMarcus Bottley were key contributors for the West, led by coach and NFL veteran Seneca Wallace.

Northern Illinois commit Tanner Phelps, Big Sky Conference target Taylor Jones, Mountain West Conference target Cruz Markham, Southland Conference target Rodney Staley and Conference USA target Maurice Young deserved, at least, a mention for the West.