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A good argument can be made that Salem Hills' quarterback and linebacker Porter Gustin was Utah's top all-around football player this past season.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Skyhawks star lead the state in tackles with 152 and ranked fifth in passing yards with 2,864.

Now Gustin is receiving some national attention.

He is one of six finalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year and has been in New York City this week touring the sites with some of the other finalists.

He and Brighton's Osa Masina will represent Utah in the East-West U.S. Army All-American Bowl January 3 in San Antonio, Texas.

'The six Player of the Year finalists have exhibited tremendous dedication to their sport and teams, and have shown leadership both on and off the field," said Mark S. Davis, deputy assistant of the Army for marketing.

The winner of the award will be recognized during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Awards Show on January 2 in San Antonio, Texas. The winner will receive the Ken Hall Trophy, modeled after high school football legend Ken "Sugar Land Express" Hall.

The game, which pits stars from the East against the West, will be played January 3 and telecast on NBC.

"I am honored to be here," said Gustin Monday via phone after touring the NBC Studios in New York City. "I feel very privileged."

The finalists who came to New York Sunday toured the World Trade Center site as well as NBC. They will get a chance to see the New York Jets practice facility Tuesday before flying home.

Gustin, who had never been to New York City before Sunday, said the city is a little overwhelming but he has enjoyed seeing places where movies have been made.

"It's always good to hang out with other kids and be able to talk to them," said Gustin about the tour. "These are the same types of kids I will be at college with.

The Salem Hills star said he expects to play defense in college. He has not committed yet but has offers from over 30 schools including USC, Notre Dame, Arizona State,florida State and LSU.

Gustin is ranked by 247 Sports as Utah's top player this season. He is also a candidate for the Gatorade National Player of the Year and was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. Gustin's father was a starting quarterback at the University of Wyoming and his mother was a high-school al-American who played basketball at BYU and Wyoming.

He said that after being informed he would be on the team, he started watching past Army All-American Bowl games.

Gustin said he can remember 9-11 vaguely from his childhood. Getting a chance to see the site in person was a good experience.

Other finalists for the award include Rasheem Green from Gardena, Calif.' Derrius Guice from Baton Rouge, La.; Martez Ivey from Apoka. Fla.; Trenton Thompson of Albany, Ga., and Chris Warren of Rockwall, Tex.

Past winners of the word include Kevin Jones, Loreno Booker, Chris Leak, Ryan Perrilloux, Mitch Mustain, Jimmy Clausen, Terrelle Pryor, Bryce Brown, Dillon B axter, Demetrius Hart, Dorial Green-Beckham, Max Browne and Elijah Hood.

According to All American Games, which sponsors the bowl game, the selection process began last fall as players were evaluated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee and by coaches from across the country.

This is the 15th year the bowl has been played. Stars such as Andrew Luck, Patrick Peterson and Jamaal Charles made their national debuts in the game. In the 2014 NFL draft, seven U.S. Army All-American Bowl Alumni were drafted in the first round. The 2014 game drew a crowd of 40,017 to the Alamadome.

Twitter @tribtomwharton