The Midwest Region of The National Football Foundation has produced its fair share of standout high school scholar-athletes over the past decade. No fewer than seven of their last 11 awardees are still playing football on the collegiate or professional levels. Here’s a quick look at the current football careers of some of the Midwest Region’s finest.
2004 Recipient Marcus Monk
Recently named one of the National Football Foundation’s National High Scholar Athletes for 2004, Marcus Monk currently attends the University of Arkansas. Monk, a high school scholar-athlete from the Arkansas Chapter, plays both football and basketball for the Razorbacks. The 6-foot 6-inch wide receiver has already caught six passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns in helping the Razorbacks to a 2-1 record.
2003 Recipient Brandent Englemon
As a redshirt freshman, Brandent Englemon is currently the backup safety for the Michigan Wolverines. In his first collegiate game on September 4th, Brandent forced a fumble and recorded two tackles in a 43-10 victory over Miami (OH). The 200-pound safety attended Convington Holmes High School in the Greater Cincinnati Chapter, where he also participated in the Foundation’s PLAY IT SMART program.
2002 Recipient Justin Zwick
Justin Zwick is in his first year as the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The sophomore from Massilon Washington High School and the Northeast Ohio Chapter has passed for 610 yards and four touchdowns in Ohio State’s first three games. The Buckeyes are 3-0 and ranked seventh in this week’s Associated Press Top-25 poll.
2001 Recipient Maurice Hall
A senior tailback and kick returner, Maurice Hall has been a valuable member of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team the last four years. Maurice ran for 396 yards and four touchdowns in the 2002 season that saw Ohio State go undefeated and win the BCS National Championship. Hall played for Brookhaven High School, a member of the Columbus Chapter of The National Football Foundation.
2000 Recipient Jeremy Caudill
Jeremy Caudill was a four-year starter on the defensive line for the Kentucky Wildcats. Caudill signed with the Indianapolis Colts following the 2004 NFL Draft, but he sustained a torn meniscus in the preseason and was released. Jeremy was honored as a scholar-athlete out of the Jerry Claiborne Chapter (KY) of The National Football Foundation.
1998 Recipient Drew Henson
Coming out of Brighton High School and the Michigan Chapter of The National Football Foundation, Drew Henson attended the University of Michigan and played quarterback for the Wolverines. The Houston Texans selected Drew in the 2004 NFL Draft after he played professional baseball in the farm systems of the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds. The two-sport star currently serves as the backup QB for the Dallas Cowboys.
1994 Recipient Stephen Alexander
Stephen Alexander has enjoyed a successful seven-year NFL career as a tight end. Before signing with the Detroit Lions this offseason, Alexander spent two years with the San Diego Chargers and four with the Washington Redskins. The NFF Oklahoma Chapter product played college football for the University of Oklahoma.
