Justin Boren Discusses Army All-American Selection

Michigan offense line commitment Justin Boren of Pickerington, Ohio North High School was named to the roster of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game to be played in January at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. He spoke Thursday with GoBlueWolverine.com about the selection, and his plans after his December graduation.

Justin Boren of Pickerington, Ohio North High School became the first Michigan commitment to be publicly announced as a participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game to be played in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 7. "It is a great honor, something I've always wanted to do," Boren told GoBlueWolverine.com on Thursday. "I'm looking forward to the game and playing with the best in the country."

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Boren will graduate in December and was hoping to follow in the cleats of another early football enrollee, current Michigan freshman Kevin Grady, in practicing with the team during its bowl practices. "I'm still going to graduate in December," he said. "But there is a new rule that incoming freshman can't practice with the team during the bowl practices. So I'll be able to play in the game, then enroll at Michigan. Since the game is on the 7th, and the semester starts on the 3rd, Michigan is giving me an extension."

Pickerington North is off to a 2-2 start this season, with one loss coming on a last-second field goal. However, Boren is optimistic the team will finish strong. "The losses were all fluky," he said. "I think we can go the rest of the way undefeated. I'm playing right guard and defensive end."

The Boren family was in attendance for Michigan gut wrenching loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 10. "Yeah, that was a tough loss, but that happens," he said. "They sure bounced back last week." Michigan crushed Eastern Michigan 55-0 on Saturday. The Wolverines line up against Wisconsin this week. "This will be a big test," Boren said. "They should win, and it will give them a big push for the rest of the season. We'll be watching."

The big man said he hasn't set up his official visit with Michigan at this time, but will be heading to Ann Arbor at least one more time this season. "We may go up for the Penn State game," he said. "Then we'll definitely be at the Ohio State game."

The five-star Boren said that when he first committed to Michigan back in the spring, he didn't get much flak from the local Buckeye crowd. It seems the season has changed things. "I'm getting hassled a lot more since the beginning of the season," he said. "Some of it is good-natured ribbing, but some of the people are seriously upset. It doesn't matter, I gave my word to Michigan and nothing is going to change that and that's what I tell people. I still get a few calls and letters, but no offers or anything like that."

Pickerington North visits Grove City on Friday.