Henry E. Lackey High School senior Nathan Proctor, Jr. (Photo: Chas. Co. Public Schools)LA PLATA, Md. (Nov. 3, 2016)—As a young man who grew up loving and playing football, Nov. 1 was no ordinary day for Henry E. Lackey High School (Indian Head, Charles Co.) senior Nathan Proctor, Jr. Surrounded by his family, friends and fellow Lackey varsity football teammates, Proctor was officially recognized by Under Armour as one of only 90 student athletes nationwide selected to play in the tenth annual Under Armour All-America football game.
Under Armour invites the top senior high school football players from across the United States to play in the game on Jan. 1, 2017, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. As part of the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance, Under Armour staff visited Proctor at school Tuesday to deliver his game day jersey and congratulate him on his selection to the team. Proctor said he is excited to play in the game and represent his school.
"I am excited to be chosen for this honor. I would like to thank my family, thank the students and faculty. A big thank you to Coach Lush for giving me the opportunity. I'd also like to thank my parents," Proctor said.
Proctor is an outside linebacker and serves as a team captain of the Lackey Chargers varsity football team. ESPN ranks Proctor sixth overall among the top 100 high school outside linebackers nationwide. Proctor's stats also include a third-place overall player ranking with ESPN among Maryland high school football players.
He began his football career at Lackey as a freshman after transferring from a private school. John Lush is the varsity football coach at Lackey and well known for mentoring his student athletes in their athletic pursuits, and also in their academics. Lush said in the time he has known Proctor, he has propelled himself from the role of an average student to an integral part of the school community as a leader and role model for his peers.
"His teachers report that he is extremely involved in the classroom and is a leader by example. He is able to delegate work, critique his work and provide leadership to the remainder of his team members and classmates. In addition to demonstrating his talents in the classroom, he shows great pride by being courteous and kind while showing enthusiasm and strong character at the same time," Lush wrote in a letter of recommendation for Proctor.
Proctor will travel to Florida for the game with his parents and Lush will also accompany him on his trip. The game will air live on ESPN Jan. 1 and the experience will help Proctor prepare for his future college football career. Proctor is enrolled in the biomedical and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs at Lackey. He has more than 30 scholarship offers from top colleges well known for exceptional college football programs such as Penn State University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Mississippi, the University of Florida, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, Rutgers University and Temple University.
Proctor began playing football in a Charles County youth league program when he was five-years-old. He said he would be happy to attend any of the colleges he has offers from, but that it is important to him to go where he "feels like I would best fit in." He will announce his choice in February and credits Lush for helping him to stay focused and do his best.
Proctor also said his academic experiences at Lackey have been positive and the school community is supportive of all students. "One of my favorite things about Lackey is seeing that everyone here is a big help. Teachers make time for you and want to help you succeed," he said.
Proctor said his dream is to "make it to the pros and play in a Super Bowl" after college but he also plans to pursue a career in engineering. For now, he looks forward to the All-America game and finishing his high school football career with the Lackey Chargers.
The Chargers play their final football game of the regular season on Friday, 7 p.m. against Calvert High School at Lackey. The team is ranked in the top position in the Chesapeake division among high school varsity football teams in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference.