Once-in-a-lifetime talent in DGB

Yearly Athlete of the Year story on Dorial Green-Beckham from June 10, 2012.

Dorial Green-Beckham posed in front of his expansive, yet inadequate, trophy case last week for another photo shoot.

This time, the former Hillcrest High School megastar was being recognized by the News-Leader as our Male Athlete of the Year, our annual award for southwest Missouri's best senior high school athlete.

But as the 19-year-old mugged in front of awards such as the Ken Hall Trophy, awarded by the U.S. Army to the best high school football player in the land, the local award seemed a little overshadowed.

Though inevitable, Green-Beckham is indeed our selection for the award and could've been the winner for three years now if non-seniors were eligible. It's just another one for the overflowing trophy case, which is not big enough to contain Green-Beckham's honors.

The Decision: Star likes being 'close to home'

Published Feb. 2, 2012.

After a tumultuous upbringing, which included foster homes and an adoption a little over 13 months ago, relationships are important to Dorial Green-Beckham.

That partly explains why the No. 1 football recruit in the nation stayed close to home Wednesday, announcing that he will attend the University of Missouri.

Green-Beckham, in a packed gymnasium at Hillcrest High School and on live television nationally on ESPNU, picked the Tigers over finalists Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

"Just to be home," Green-Beckham said about important factors in his decision. "To be close to family members and have everyone come out to support me."