Rap mogul's son is prep All-American

Published Oct. 7, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Iona Prep senior Justin Combs, son of rap mogul Diddy, was officially named to the inaugural Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in a ceremony at the New Rochelle school, the New York Post reported Friday.

"It's not like I was trying to make my own path," Combs said about carving out his own niche. "Football was like my first love. [My mom and dad] always taught me to go hard in what you believe in."

The lightning-quick, athletic defensive back has offers from UCLA, Illinois and Virginia, among other Division I schools.

Diddy, who has declined multiple interview requests this season, was not present at Thursday's ceremony, but Combs said his father could not be more proud of him.

Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, was a defensive back, too, at Mount St. Michael in The Bronx before becoming one of the most recognizable musicians in the world.

"He's ecstatic," Combs Jr. said. "He was a football player. This is what he wanted to do. I'm kind of like living his dream."

Iona Prep coach Vic Quirolo called Combs the most dedicated athlete he has had with the Gaels.

This past summer, Combs traveled the country, competing in camps, participating in clinics and working with top-notch talent, including Jets superstar Darrelle Revis.