DRAPER — When the holidays are over, at least one Juan Diego Catholic High School student won’t be experiencing any letdown. That’s because just as his peers will be preparing to go back to school, senior Xavier Carlton will be heading to San Antonio, Texas to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl, considered the premier high school sporting event in the nation.
Although he is a Utah native, this is Carlton’s first year as a Soaring Eagle. As a young boy, the 6-7, 262-pound strong-side defensive end moved with his family to California. He attended Modesto Christian School for his first three years of high school. There, he had a sterling football career under coach Mike Parsons, being named league outstanding defensive lineman, along with receiving all-district and two-time all-state recognition. He returned to Utah last year.
On Dec. 4, Carlton was presented with his game-day jersey by All-American Bowl representative Jeff Kmiecinski in front of the entire Juan Diego CHS student body.
“We would like to thank the entire Juan Diego High School football team — without your hard work and dedication, this achievement would not be possible,” Kmiecinski said after acknowledging Carlton’s family, including his father, Demetrius, a former University of Utah linebacker, along with Principal Dr. Galey Colosimo, Athletic Director Chris Long, football coach John Colosimo and the Juan Diego coaching staff.
Kmiecinski praised the leadership of John Colosimo, who just finished his 20th season coaching the football team.
“Thank you for your leadership of this team and your role in developing the success of Xavier,” he said.
Coach Colosimo downplayed his contribution to Carlton’s success, saying that the player came “pretty well-developed” to Juan Diego. He praised the Modesto and Juan Diego football teams for Carlton’s “attitude, his hard work, his work ethic.”
Carlton is the first Juan Diego student to receive this prestigious honor, “the first of many to come,” Colosimo told the students.
After receiving the jersey, Carlton expressed appreciation for the support of his friends, family and the coaches and football team at Modesto.
“Words cannot express how thankful I am; I love you guys,” he said.
He went on to thank the Colosimos, the coaching staff, teachers and students at Juan Diego.
“Thank you for welcoming me to the JD family and making my senior year so special,” he said.
Carlton is one of three Utah players selected to play in the All-American Bowl; the others are Van Fillinger of Corner Canyon High School and Noah Sewell of Orem High School.
Carlton has received several offers from universities including the University of Utah, Ohio State, University of California (Berkeley), Oregon and University of California (Los Angeles).
The All-American Bowl, which annually features the nation’s 100 best senior high school football players, will air on NBC on Saturday, Jan. 4.
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