JaCoby Stevens (Photo: Intersport)
Oakland High School senior football standout JaCoby Stevens was presented with a jersey Friday to commemorate his playing in the upcoming Under Armour All-American Game.
The game will be played on Sunday, Jan. 1 at noon (CST) in Orlando and will be telecast live on ESPN.
Stevens, a five-star recruit and LSU commitment, was presented a jersey both in front of the Oakland student body at a pep rally and later in an official press conference as part of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance.
Although he has been committed to the game since his sophomore year, the realization sunk in on Friday.
“It’s such a great honor,” Stevens said. “A lot of great players have played in this game before me. It’s a rite of passage, and if they feel I’m worthy to play in this game, it’s a huge honor.”
Stevens presented the Dream Champion award to his father, Jeremy (Photo: Intersport)
Stevens, who is rated as the No. 2 safety in the nation in the 2017 class by 247Sports, has 39 tackles and seven interceptions for the unbeaten Patriots (9-0) heading into Friday night’s regular-season finale at home against Smyrna.
“It’s been a long time (since committing to the All-American Game), but it seems like yesterday,” Stevens said. “It felt good (putting on the jersey). It puts my name next to future college hall of famers and future NFL Hall of Famers.”
Stevens committed to LSU in August and stood by the commitment after Tigers coach Les Miles was fired less than a month ago.
He was named to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Football Preseason Team in August.