BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The laidback days of summer will soon come to a close as student-athletes report to the practice field for the 2024 football season.
Before any ball kicks off the season, one Thompson High School football player will step into the spotlight in front of a national audience.
Kicker John Alan McGuire was selected to play in The Army All-American game on Jan. 11, 2025, in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Held since 2000, the All-American Bowl collects the 100 best high school players for a game between the top players from the eastern and western United States.
According to the game’s website, 594 All-American Bowl alumni have gone on to be selected in the NFL Draft with 138 picked in the first round.
"I went down to Naples, Florida, and [I] was kicking for a guy named Chris Sailer,” McGuire said. “He picked the long snapper so down there, [I] won the punting competition and I was picked to go to there."
During his junior season at Thompson, McGuire averaged over 41 yards per punt and was 47-of-50 on pats as the Warriors lost in the 7A State Finals to Central-Phenix City High School.
“We got to get back to the state championship, that’s our goal this season,” McGuire said.
McGuire hasn’t decided on which college he’ll attend after graduating from Thompson next spring. He plans to either major in business or get his pilot license.