RBC’s Quenton Nelson Honored by U.S. Army All-American Bowl in Ceremony

Red Bank Catholic senior two-way lineman Quenton Nelson was honored by the U.S. Army on Thursday morning with the presentation of his jersey for the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in a ceremony at the high school.

"I'm just humbled by it,'' Nelson said. "I'm very honored to be selected to play in the U.S. Army Bowl. Only 90 kids get to play in it, and I'm very excited to get to go to the Alamodome on Jan. 4."

Nelson, who is verbally committed to Notre Dame, is one of two Shore Conference stars selected to play in the game in the Alamodome in San Antonio on Jan. 4, which will be broadcast live on NBC. Southern senior wide receiver/tight end Mike Gesicki was also selected, but said he will not be playing because he is honoring his commitment to Southern basketball.

Nelson is the third Shore Conference player in the last four years to participate in the game, which counts more than 200 alumni who have played in the NFL, including stars like Adrian Peterson and Vernon Davis, since its inception in 2001.The game pits top seniors from the East against their counterparts from the West.

“Nelson is a talented athlete whose leadership and teamwork qualities have made him a standout at Red Bank Catholic High School,” Mark Davis, deputy assistant Secretary of the Army for Marketing, said in a statement. “Only the strongest wear the Army colors, and are proud to welcome all of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl players and commend each of them on their selection.”

Red Bank defensive end Garrett Sickels (Penn State) played in the game last season, and Long Branch wide receiver Miles Shuler (Northwestern) played in the 2011 game. Caseys head coach Jim Portela is also invited to fly out to San Antonio for the game as part of Nelson's selection. Nelson is the first player ever from RBC to be selected to the game.