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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. – One of Alabaster’s finest wrapped up his career representing the Thompson Warriors on the national stage as he took the field as an All-American.

Thompson punter John Alan McGuire played in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex.

McGuire featured in the game as the punter for the East team in a game that was broadcast on network television on NBC and Peacock.

The West would defeat the East 13-7 after it scored the game’s first touchdown in the second quarter and never trailed from there.

McGuire’s appearance in the Navy All-American Bowl came after a strong senior season with the Warriors. He averaged 44.2 yards per punt and placed 16 of his 45 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Over the course of the year, McGuire racked up 1,988 yards as a punter and secured a long of 63 yards.

McGuire also served as Thompson’s kicker, finishing 8-for-12 on field goals and 48-for-51 on extra points. He earned a long of 50 yards with a crucial late kick against Hoover. McGuire also earned 52 touchbacks on kickoffs during the 2024 season.

As a result, McGuire earned multiple postseason honors, including All-State Class 7A First Team and All-County First Team nods as a punter.

It was his second-straight appearance on the All-State and All-County teams after securing Class 7A Second Team punter honors and an All-County First Team kicker spot as a junior in 2023. He was also recognized as a MaxPreps Junior All-American Second Team selection that year.

McGuire earned a selection to the 2025 All-American Bowl after his success at Football University’s Top Gun camp.

McGuire graduated from Thompson High School early and is currently at Auburn preparing for spring football ahead of his freshman season with the Tigers in August. He committed to coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn on July 28 and officially signed on early signing day on Dec. 4.

McGuire will play alongside Jared Smith and Anquon Fegans with the Tigers after all three Thompson seniors committed to Auburn over the course of one week last summer. He will also reunite with former teammate Kaleb Harris, who is a rising sophomore on the defense.