COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Football is in Alex Ofodile’s DNA.

Ofodile, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound ESPN 300 receiver from Columbia (Missouri) Rock Bridge, can’t recall a time in his life when he wasn’t around the game. His father, A.J. Ofodile, was a fifth-round draft pick at tight end after a solid college career at Missouri. He played for the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

The younger Ofodile said his father’s love, passion for the game, encouragement and good genes were a big reason why he was named an Under Armour All-American. Ofodile received his official game jersey at a presentation Friday at his school in front of family, friends and the entire Rock Bridge student body.

He's officially an All American. #Ducks commit @alexofodile4 has received his @AllAmericaGame jersey. https://t.co/7nrj45LqGs

— Jeremy Crabtree (@jeremycrabtree) September 19, 2014

“My dad always tells me that before I could even talk, he used to throw the ball with me back and forth,” said Ofodile, an Oregon commitment who ranks as the fifth-best receiver in the country. “He's played catch with me ever since I was little. Football is just in my blood. I just love playing, making plays. It's a great experience. It's a fun game.”

Ofodile’s bond with his father continues to grow stronger and stronger every day. After his football was behind him, Ofodile’s father moved into coaching and he is now the head coach at Rock Bridge. Some star players aren’t able to handle being around a parent who is also a coach, but Ofodile said his father has done a good job in both roles.

“My freshman year, I felt a whole lot of pressure,” Ofodile said. “But as I got more mature, he's kind of instilled in me that pressure makes diamonds. I make a play, people will say it's because your dad is the coach. I just tune that out. He's taught me to put that behind me. Don't listen to it and just go play your game. It's helped me a lot.

“He's done a great job of separating home from football. I thank him a lot for that. That's also kind of the way he coaches. He's not a big get-in-your-face-and-yell guy. You drop the ball, you know he's not going to jump all over you. He's not a yeller. He's more of a tell-you-what-you-did-wrong-and-fix-it type of coach.”

The good news is Ofodile hasn’t dropped too many passes in his career at Rock Bridge. Before leading his team to a 42-23 victory over rival Hickman on Friday night, Ofodile had already racked up 583 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through the first four games. Against Hickman, he had 80 yards receiving in the first half alone, before the defense started shifting two and sometimes even three defenders his way. He still managed to find a way to get into the end zone, sealing the victory with a 35-yard rush late in the game.

It was the type of performance that showcased why he’s an Under Armour All-American.

“I think I'm unique because I'm pretty good in a lot of different areas,” Ofodile said. “I think more of an all-around receiver. It's hard to find a guy that's fast, that's polished, that likes to block and do it all. I think I bring a lot of things to the table. I think I'll be able to play inside and outside.”

There are two Under Armour All-Americans from Missouri. Does that say anything about the quality of football that's being played in the Show Me State?

“I think people are looking to Missouri more. We had Dorial Green-Beckham and guys like Evan Boehm. Then there are guys like Hale Hentges and me. We're kind of continuing on the same path as those guys. Hopefully, after a while people will see Missouri is a powerhouse for football and it could open the doors for other players down the road to get more recruiting opportunities. That's what I'm hoping for.”

How do you think you will be used at Oregon?

“I think I'll be used all over the place. I think I'll be used how they used Josh Huff. I think I'll be more of a bigger Josh Huff. I think I'll fit in there really well and be able to play everywhere they need in that offense. Since I'm enrolling early, I think that's also going to help me out a lot mentally. I'm going to be learning the plays and get my adjustment period over with early before camp starts. Getting through all that stuff is going to help me out a bunch. Hopefully, I'll be competing for a spot.”

How much pressure was there on you to pick Missouri, since your dad played there and you live in Columbia?

“The pressure was tremendous externally. But internally between the people that really mattered, they all wanted me to do what's best for me. They all asked me 'Where are you going to be most excited to play at?' I had a lot of people tell me to go blaze your own trail. That was the message I got from the people I really cared about. If I had gone to Mizzou, people would have supported me. If I didn't, the people that mattered would have supported me, too. This was my decision and the people that loved me supported it 100 percent.”