By Ryan Basen
Special to OldSpiceRedZonePlayer.com

Shawne Merriman had already garnered a lot of attention locally by his senior year of high school in 2001.

The immense linebacker at Frederick Douglass High School was one of the most celebrated prep athletes in the Washington, D.C., metro area, earning accolades such as Maryland Defensive Player of the Year and Washington Post All-Met, and drawing the attention of Washington Redskins linebacker Lavar Arrington.

Shortly after football season ended, Merriman was also recognized nationally when he was one of 50 players selected as an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year.

Merriman was part of the inaugural class of players chosen in the annual program, which just honored its fourth class. When he was selected with the 12th pick in the NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers in April, he became the first Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year to be drafted into the league.

For Merriman, who has since been named an All-Atlantic Coast Conference defensive end and been an integral part of two bowl-winning teams at the University of Maryland, the Old Spice Red Zone honor is still a big deal.

“I still have the plaque,” said Merriman, who earned the nickname “Lights Out” for his aggressive hitting style while still in high school. “It meant a lot to me. … It was the first time I knew that I was recognized nationally.”

Merriman, who made 158 tackles, forced three fumbles and blocked two punts in 2001, led Douglass to an 8-2 mark and made huge plays in big games against Prince George’s County rivals for the Upper Marlboro, Md., school. He was named the state’s Defensive Player of the Year by the press and was an All-State linebacker for the second straight season.

After the season, Douglass coaches nominated Merriman as an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year. He was selected as a national winner and got the plaque, along with his photo in a full-page ad in USA Today to recognize the 50 honorees.

He was among a talented group of 2001 honorees, a group that included current Florida State tailback Lorenzo Booker (Ventura, Calif.) and Notre Dame receiver Maurice Stovall (Pennsylvania).