Wide receiver Justin Shorter was presented with an Under Armour All America jersey on Thursday afternoon, in a ceremony at Peach County High (Fort Valley, Georgia).
For Shorter, a five-star, Thursday was an honor and serves as continued motivation.
“This means everything,” he said. “Growing up as a young kid, I watched the Under Armour Game and saw all the top players play. I always thought how cool is would be to be known as one of the best players in the nation. Now, I have to keep on grinding to keep showing I belong.”
The 6-foot-4, 213-pound Shorter committed to Penn State in August of 2016, and is one of the key cogs in James Franklin’s top-five ranked class. Since committing, the Garden State standout’s pledge has only gotten stronger.
“I chose Penn State because when I went up there I noticed the campus, and how comfortable I felt,” Shorter said. “And the stadium is great too. Penn State has a great engineering program, and that is what I’m looking forward to majoring in, and it’s a great fit for me. I knew immediately. I was back up there last weekend for the game against Pitt, and there were 110,000 loud fans. It’s a great experience.”
Four questions with Justin Shorter:
What player are you looking forward to competing with or against in the Under Armour All-America Game?
There’s not really a certain player for me. Just competing against the best will be good for me. Going down to Florida and meeting people will be a great time.
If you could start a team with any player in your class, who would it be and why?
Justin Fields. He’s one of the best leaders I have ever been around. The control he had of the huddle at The Opening, that was a big reason we won the title. He’s a great player, amazing QB and has a crazy strong arm.
What is your earliest football memory?
I remember I started playing my eighth grade year. I got a handoff and scored my first TD after breaking a tackle and running to the house. Three games after that, I actually broke my ankle.
What number do your wear, and why?
I wear 15. I don’t think there is any real significance behind it. I was on varsity my freshman year and a guy quit that had 15, so I just took it and rocked it since.