McTelvin Agim doesn’t believe he needs to prove himself as far as his talents on the field are concerned, but he’s excited for the opportunity to do so anyway.
A senior at Hope (Ark.) High School, Agim was honored Tuesday as part of the Under Armour All-America Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance, receiving his jersey for January’s showcase of the nation’s premier high school football talents. The game is Jan. 2 in Florida.
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According to the 247 Sports composite Rankings, Agim is ranked No. 53 in the Class of 2016, No. 3 at his defensive end position and No. 1 in the state of Arkansas. Agim received his jersey less than two weeks after announcing that he was playing to stay in his home state for college with the University of Arkansas.
Standing tall at 6-2 1/2 and strong at 268 pounds, Agim is a menace to contain on the line.
Even more unfortunate for opposing blockers is the fact that Agim thrives on the physicality of the game.
“You can legally punish somebody else and take your frustration out on somebody,” Agim told USA TODAY High School Sports. “To me that’s what makes football the best sport in the world. You can legally do that!”
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Like most athletes, Agim aspires to play his sport at the highest level and knows that the Under Armour game is a great place to showcase his abilities.
“It’s a blessing for me to be able to participate in this event and put on for everybody who supports me and wants to see me succeed,” Agim said to a packed crowd of nearly 400 people at his high school’s gymnasium.
It’s those same people who want to see Agim succeed that motivate him as a football player.
“One day I want to be able to say ‘let’s take a vacation, don’t even worry about a dollar, I got it!’,” he said. “I want to be able to do that for my family.”

McTelvin Agim with Hope High School AD Jay Turley and Principal, Dr. Tommie Campbell. (Photo: Intersport)