Photos: Stone Mountain High School's Eligwe Picked for Army Bowl

's Markuss Eligwe has been selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee to play in the January 7, 2012 game in San Antonio.

During a special school assembly Thursday, the Pirates linebacker, whose full name is Ukeme Markuss Eligwe, remembered watching the All-American bowl in awe with a friend when he was younger.

"Look at those guys playing," he recalled saying. "I never saw myself playing."

That he's been selected to participate in the game is "just amazing," he said.

He had encouraging advice for students who face naysayers when pursuing a goal.

With head held high, "try to be the best. Don't let anybody bring you down," he said.

Coach Dante Ferguson said he has seen Eligwe's skills greatly improve since  middle school.

"He embodies what you stand for," Ferguson told the Army representatives at the assembly.

The selection committee also picked Stephenson High School's Raphael Kirby to play in the bowl, during a ceremony on Tuesday at the school.