Ever since Whaler football players Makai Bodden and Justin Bloise were invited this summer to participate in the Dream All-American Bowl, a showcase football game where high school players from across the country get a chance to put their talents on full display for college coaches and scouts, the two Nantucket stars have been eagerly awaiting for the moment to finally arrive.
That moment arrives today, and Bloise and Bodden have been in Dallas, Texas all weekend in preparation for the event, which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
The duo attended a ring ceremony this weekend and received a beautiful ring as you can see in the picture below provided by Bodden.
Bloise and Bodden also participated in three practices with dozens of other players from all over the United States. Bodden said he learned IMG Academy’s whole offensive playbook this weekend. IMG Academy is one of the top high school football prep schools in the country and is located in Bradenton, Florida. Their football team has ranked in the top 10 nationally for five straight years.
Bodden said it has been a great experience working with all of the coaches who have convened in Texas, including former NFL receiver Joe Horn, who is the head coach of Bodden and Bloise’s team.
Horn had a tremendous 12-year NFL career, finishing with 603 receptions, 8,744 receiving yards, and 58 touchdowns. Horn enjoyed most of his success with the New Orleans Saints, where he played for seven seasons from 2000-2006 and was selected to all four of his Pro Bowls during that time.
Horn’s son, Jaycee Horn, was the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and will be in Dallas to help his father coach the team today, Bodden said. Jaycee is a cornerback and was the first defensive player drafted last spring. He played his college ball at the University of South Carolina. He recorded five tackles and an interception in three games this season before his rookie season was cut short after fracturing his foot in a week 3 game against the Houston Texans.
Bodden and Bloise also had the option to participate in a combine and National Showcase, which featured a 7v7 session. Bloise has verbally committed to Sacred Heart University to join their Div. I football program while Bodden has still not made a decision about where he will continue his playing career in college.
Today, the long weekend will be capped off with the bowl game. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., but Bodden told the Current it was rescheduled to 3 p.m.
