Texas twister: All-American Bowl cancellation means no live network TV showcase game for top Washington seniors in 2021

The soul-shattering hits just keep coming in COVID-19-impacted high school football in 2020-21.

On Tuesday, four of the best seniors in Washington - Eastside Catholic's J.T. Tuimoloau, Steilacoom's Emeka Egbuka, Kennedy Catholic's Sam Huard and Lincoln of Tacoma's Julien Simon - learned their plans of playing in the All-American Bowl were nixed.

In a press release Tuesday morning, NBC Sports executives said, "Due to the environment we find ourselves in, and with the health and safety of our All-Americans and their families our first priority, we have made the extremely difficult decision to not play this year's All-American Bowl."

The game was slated to be held (and aired live on NBC Sports) on Jan. 9 in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The All-American Bowl (previously known as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl up until last season) has been a showcase game annually for 90 of the best seniors in the country since 2001.

And this was arguably the best group of in-state products to be selected for the West team:

* Tuimoloau is the No. 1 prospect in the country as a defensive end, according to 247sports.com. He is still uncommitted, but has Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and USC as his finalists.

* Egbuka is ranked No. 8 overall - and the best wide receiver recruit in the nation, according to 247sports.com. He is still uncommitted, but has Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Washington as his finalists.

* Huard is the No. 20 recruit in the country - and highest-regarded pro-style quarterback as well, according to 247sports.com. He has been a UW commit since last year.

* Simon is a top-150 prospect as an athlete (he will play linebacker at USC), according to 247sports.com. He is expected to enroll early with the Trojans.

Man, I used to dream of playing in the the All-American as a high school senior, now that’s all gone just like that. The lackluster leadership in office and high positions is why we are where we are. I can not vote because I’m too young but I highly encourage everyone to vote!
— Julien Simon (@_JulienSimon) October 20, 2020

Simon said he found out about the game's cancellation through an email and video message to the All-American Bowl selectees from former NFL coach Tony Dungy - and also through a text message from one of the bowl organizers Tuesday morning.

Later in the day, Simon said the Ford Sports Performance guys invited to the All-American Bowl - all the Washington guys except for Egbuka, plus Oregon standout Keith Brown, California standout Troy Franklin and Nevada standout Mo Mataveo - jumped on a teleconference call to air out their frustrations.

"We all shared our opinions," Simon said. "We were saying, 'This is terrible, and not fair at all.' We just aren't getting a break on anything.

"Really, I don't even know honestly. At this point, I am expecting nothing but the worst. It hasn't gotten any better on this COVID thing. We really haven't been doing anything to make the situation better, so I don't think better things are going to happen."

NBC Sports said it will air a two-hour special honoring its 2021 class of All-Americans on Jan. 2, which will feature the college-decision announcements of a handful of the uncommitted seniors.

Simon said he had not heard if there would still be All-American Bowl jersey presentations in the coming months.

One thing is still left on the table for this in-state quartet - the 2021 Polynesian Bowl, which is scheduled for Jan. 23 in Hawaii.

"My fingers are crossed on that one," Simon said. "Not only will it be a great experience - it is Hawaii, and I’ve never been there - it will be my 18th birthday the day before the game."