The head of adidas' football division is wearing a sport jacket and talking about uniforms. He's explaining how lighter-weight, tighter-fitting jerseys will help this crop of Army All-Americans' on-field performance. He says it will allow them to play faster. There's something about a "greater range of motion" in there, too. It doesn't matter much, though.
Former Army All-American Eric Berry said this year's players aren't far from the NFL.
His audience is playing on phones and chattering amongst itself. These players want to see their jerseys more than they want to hear about the fabric. Seated on the turf in one of the stadium's end zones, their eyes dart around the Alamodome. They note the massive video screen and run their fingers over the playing surface. There's a conversation about an injury to Army All-American wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. unfolding five feet from the speaker.
Everything stops when the uniform models take the stage. The side conversations die a quick death as focus takes hold. Eric Berry and DeMarco Murray have yet to say a word, but suddenly this is a captivated crowd. Both NFL stars are U.S. Army All-American Bowl alumni. Both have endorsement deals with adidas. Both became rich by playing football. They represent the ultimate goal.
When they talk, these players listen. It's not difficult for any of the high schoolers on hand to visualize himself returning to this site as the famous football player dishing out advice. Today, lifelong dreams seem more attainable.
"It's unique to see those guys right here and telling us how they were here and how great it is to be here," said LSU commit DeSean Smith, the No. 92 prospect in the country. "As soon as I saw them, I pulled my phone out and took a picture right away."
As Berry and Murray speak, NFL daydreams unfolding all over the turf become clearer. This gathering is a rite of passage, not a game-jersey presentation. The uniforms hanging in these lockers, fancy as they are, are an afterthought.
"I don't think anybody realizes how close they are to the NFL right now," Berry said. "When I was here, it seemed like a long way away. I didn't realize how close I was to living out my dream. There's not too much more you have to do."
Murray reminisces. He talks about meeting Gerald McCoy, Jevan Snead and C.J. Spiller. Berry says the Army Bowl was the foundation of his relationships with Ryan Mallett, Jimmy Clausen and Chris Rainey.
"I'm still playing against a lot of those guys now, and we still remember the stuff we did here," Berry said. "This place makes so many memories. We still talk about it."