Top Kentucky football target accepts invitation to play in prestigious all-star game
One of the most prized recruits in the state of Kentucky is set to participate in one of the nation’s most prestigious showcases of high school football talent.
Frederick Douglass offensive lineman Jager Burton, a four-star recruit and one of UK football’s top targets in the 2021 class, announced Thursday that he has accepted an invitation to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl.
“Blessed to be committed to the All-American Bowl!” Burton wrote on Twitter.
The All-American Bowl is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2021, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and will be televised live on NBC. The annual game features all-star teams representing the eastern and western United States.
Several Kentucky recruits have participated in the game in recent years. In 2016, incoming UK freshmen Kash Daniel, Drake Jackson and Landon Young played together on the West team.
The All-American Bowl frequently offers a glimpse at future NFL talent. In April’s NFL Draft, a record-breaking 40 players were selected who had previously participated in the game.
Burton is listed as the No. 160 overall prospect and No. 1 player from the state of Kentucky in the 2021 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings. UK was the first school to offer him a scholarship after an unofficial visit in 2018.
Since then, Burton has received scholarship offers from many of the country’s top programs. He has narrowed his list to seven schools: Kentucky, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon and Texas. Burton has said he hopes to announce his decision on his birthday, Aug. 24.
Burton’s friend and Frederick Douglass teammate, wide receiver Dekel Crowdus, committed to UK in May and has since openly courted Burton on behalf of the Wildcats. On May 12, Crowdus tweeted a short video of the pair in Kentucky uniforms with the message, “Package deal ... BBN show my brother we need him @jager_burton.”
