Mentor High Football Standout Nominated to Play in U.S. Army's All-American Bowl

Defensive end Tommy Strobel has been nominated to play in the U.S. Army's All-American Bowl, an honor reserved for the best 400 high school football players in the country.

He is the first football player to receive the nomination in the school's history.

Of course, Strobel is quick to humble himself when asked about the nomination.

"I feel like I'm no better than any other player who came through Mentor," Strobel said.

U.S. Army Sgt. Josh Robb gave Strobel his nomination letter Wednesday afternoon in the Mentor Schools Administration Building, which Strobel signed.

"Mr. Strobel is one of the first athletes in the country nominated to be invited," said Robb, who coincidentally is also a Mentor High graduate.

A nomination does not guarantee that Strobel will play in the All-American Bowl this January in San Antonio, TX. Of the 400 nominees, 180 will be picked to play.

The Army will monitor the students' athletic, academic and moral accomplishments throughout the upcoming school year before making a final decision, Robb said.

Mentor Schools Athletic Director Jeff Cassella said it was appropriate that Strobel also be recognized for his work in the classroom.

"I think it says something about Tommy," Cassella said. "Because he's not just a good athlete. He's also a good student and that's part of the picture."

Strobel needed a recommendation from his coach, Steve Trivisonno, as well as the local Army office to get the nomination. In return, Strobel thanked his coach and noted that Trivisonno might be even more excited about it than he is.

Strobel is 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. The junior has been a standout on the football field and was named a third-team, All-Ohio defensive end. He's also garnered scholarship offers from 11 Division I schools, including Ohio State University and more than half of the other schools in the Big Ten Conference.

Strobel said he felt honored and blessed to possibly play with and against the best high school talent in the country.

However, Robb noted that nominated players are more than just good athletes. They are good role models.

"He's a great human being," Robb said. "Not one of his peers had anything bad to say about him.