What it's like to be an All-America

Sharrif Floyd, a 6-foot-3 and 310-pound senior at George Washington High in Philadelphia, is one of the top defensive linemen in the nation. Floyd was named the MVP of the Premier Showcase in June and won the Maxwell Award at Football University in the same month, earning an invite to the prestigious Top Gun camp in July. With dozens of college offers to choose from, this week he was named as a member of the East team for the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Floyd will regularly check in with SI.com to discuss his season and the recruiting process.

One dream down, one to achieve. Lombardi, here I come.

This week was pretty big for me as I was officially named a U.S. Army All-American, and will be heading to San Antonio in January to play in the game. It is a real honor to be selected to a game that people know and recognize since it has produced so many college and NFL players. It is a feeling you get only once, and I am savoring it.

The game's staff rolled out a pretty nice event for me at school. There were lots of people from the Army there and I received my game jersey from Staff Sergeant Cory Hickson. It was pretty humbling to hear him talk about me and know that I wasn't selected just for being a football player, but also because of the person I strive to be. The values of the Army -- things like loyalty, respect, serving others and integrity -- really hit me as things I need to live up to.

Now, I want to win the Rotary Lombardi trophy, the honor given to the nation's top lineman. Ever since I heard about the Rotary Lombardi trophy, I've decided that I want to win it.

I also have some recruiting news. I was going to hit South Carolina next weekend for an official visit but there was a scheduling snag and I will be going there later in the year. Instead, I will visit Ohio State.

In the summer, I wasn't sure I had an offer from the Buckeyes -- everyone kept telling me I did but I never got one. So I called Ohio State assistant coach Darrell Hazel and asked him if I had one. Turns out, they sent it out to me but I never got it. Maybe it was a bad address or maybe the mailman has it framed at home. I don't know. But then I got it and it's official.

I'm looking forward to checking it out and seeing the campus. I'm curious how I'd fit in, and I am eager to see what their family atmosphere is like. My visits to Florida and USC have been great, and I expect Ohio State to be no different.

Right now, George Washington is rolling at 4-2 as we gear up for the playoffs. We're coming off a 36-0 win last weekend.

Oh, and if you're wondering, tonight I am going to celebrate being named an All-American be grabbing dinner with my guidance counselor and my grandma. In true Philly fashion, we're having chicken cheese steaks.