Defensive back Dashon Hunt of Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.), isn't 19 and he doesn't have his college lined up. Like a lot of the 45 players on the roster that USA Football released Monday for its U19 World Championship team, Hunt, 17, is playing with something to prove.
Though the U19 World Championship, held June 30-July 7 in Austin, Texas, allows players 19 and under to play, Team USA has no players who are 19.
"I'm not worried about playing against guys older than me," said the 5-9½, 180-pound Hunt, who has 63 tackles and six interceptions last year, including two for touchdowns. "When I play, it's with no fear."
Hunt, who committed to UCLA in August, recently reopened his recruitment to other schools.
"I didn't feel comfortable because there wasn't a lot of communication," Hunt said. "I talked with the new defensive backs coach (Demetrice Martin) and my family and made a decision. Making the (Team USA) roster was a really exciting thing for me and my coaches. It's getting my name out a little more. I have 12 offers right now and I'm getting my highlight film out so I'll hopefully have a bigger list to choose from."
In 2009 when the first and only other U19 World Championship was held, Team USA's roster was mostly incoming college freshman. This year, only three of the 45 players are incoming freshmen. Two USA players, University of Akron freshman running back Conor Hundley and quarterback Trent Hosick, who is entering his senior year at Staley (Kansas City, Mo.), will turn 19 during the event. The eight-nation tournament is conducted by the International Federation of American Football.
"A lot of colleges said no to allowing their freshmen to play because they've started to bring players in so early," said Team USA coach Steve Specht of St. Xavier (Cincinnati). "I think we've put together a team with a lot of talent. I think we've put together a good mix of skill players and linemen."
Ten state associations didn't allow high school players to compete in the event, including Specht's home state of Ohio.
"What's frustrating is to see kids play for the USA in basketball and soccer and that's OK, but all of a sudden, when it's football and it's new, it's not," Specht said.
Even with the restrictions, there are plenty of elite recruits besides Hunt who will begin practice Friday. One of the top recruits in the game is Ethan Pocic, a 6-7, 285-pound offensive lineman from Lemont, Ill., who has said he plans to sign with LSU and is the younger brother of Illinois senior lineman Graham Pocic.
