Cummings, a 6-2, 180-pound receiver from Culver City (Calif.) Crespi High School,
and Poyer, a 6-0, 172-pound cornerback from Astoria (Ore.) High School, are
among 36 graduating high school seniors soon to enter 27 college football programs
who will play on America’s first national team in the sport comprised of players
aged 19 and under. USA Football’s Junior National Team roster will ultimately
consist of 45 student-athletes.
USA Football, an independent non-profit and the sport’s national governing body
on youth and amateur levels, has built America’s first Junior National Team
in the sport to compete in the eight-nation, four-continent 2009 International
Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championship in Canton,
Ohio, from June 27-July 5.
National football teams from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand
and Sweden have qualified to join the United States to pursue the sport’s first
world championship on the international junior level (19 and under).
USA Football’s Junior National Team is led by Chuck Kyle, head
coach of Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School, who has led his Wildcats to 10
of Ohio’s past 21 state titles, including two USA TODAY “national championships.”
“Kevin is a guy who we have watched since he was a sophomore,” Oregon State
head coach Mike Riley said. “I know his dad (Kevin Cummings,
Sr.) from the Canadian Football League, when I coached against him. Kevin is
a fine young man and a very good football player who will only getter better
as he gets older and develops physically.
“Jordan
(pictured left) is one of the finest overall athletes coming out of the state
of Oregon that I have seen in a long time,” Riley added. “He’s a great young
man. I’m really excited about him coming to Oregon State.
“It’s a terrific honor for both Kevin and Jordan compete in the IFAF Junior
World Championship and represent Oregon State University.”
Cummings, a Scout.com three-star athlete, played receiver and defensive back
during his two-year varsity career at Crespi and earned first-team All-Serra
league at receiver as a senior. He also was a sprinter on the track team.
Poyer, Oregon’s offensive and defensive player of the year last season, played
quarterback and safety during his three-year varsity career at Astoria where
he accounted for 123 touchdowns in three seasons. Poyer also was an all-state
selection in baseball three times.
All-inclusive travel packages to Canton with tournament game tickets are available
at www.usafootball.com/jwc/tickets
or by calling 1-888-310-4255 (Continental U.S. and Canada).