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One of the best ways to get noticed as a youth football player is to attend a camp, combine, or showcase where you can show off your skills to coaches, scouts and not least of all, the media. Over the past six years we've come across countless organizations who claim to be the best place for local, regional and national talent to get their game noticed.
We've decided to take what we've learned and share it with our readers. These are the top 20 camp, combine and showcase organizations in the country.
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VTO Sports has become a top dog in the middle school and high school camp, combine and showcase industry over the past several years. The first thing that makes them standout is the athlete experience. Their regional camps have top of the line coaching and a buzzy, high profile, energy feel that let's you know that you're in the right place to get better, be evaluated, and get noticed. It's a huge value add that their regional camp circuit build up to and invite-only national showcase that gets big attention from the media.
The camps themselves have a hard-hitting, competitive aspect to them with 7 v 7s and 1 on 1's being a cornerstone of the experience. Reps are important and the VTO staff runs a tight ship to ensure that you get what you paid for; an opportunity to improve and show off your skills.
The VTO staff also advises on NCAA eligibility and recruitment. They want their campers and their families to leave their camps as a better recruit than they were when they arrived.
Notable alumni includes Jordan Davis, first round draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles and alumni of the University of Georgia national championship team.
We've covered VTO's camps and recommend that every Youth1 member attend if they're looking to make the most of their offseason.
Football University
FBU prides itself on their goal of molding the best youth athletes around the country into the best football players they can be. Since 2007 FBU has seen 40,000 athletes improve through learning position-specific techniques and fundamentals from their NFL-experienced coaches. Prospects from 6-12 grades unlock their potential through FBU trainings. Countless professional athletes such as Marcus Mariota, Joey Bosa and Eli Apple, have made their way to the NFL through FBU.
Gunslinger Academy
Gunslinger Academy is run by decorated high school, college and Arena League QB Tony Colston. Now he lends his knowledge and experience to offensive that compete at his events, the biggest of which is The Gunslinger Challenge, a quarterback competition that evaluates prospects on their arm strength, accuracy, footwork and agility.
The idea for the Challenge was born out of his own experiences as a former prospect. "When I look back on my own process, I really try to provide everything I wish I would've had because I know I could have benefited tremendous," Colston said. "The objective is to test each quarterback on as many game situation drops and throws that we could think of. Under center, shotgun, on the move, play action, and more. Creating a true open competition was also a very important aspect in the idea. No predetermined winners, a simple scoring system and allow the best man to win. A Freshman with good feet and an accurate ball can win against the upcoming Senior with 30 offers."
Gunslinger holds six tryouts from April to June, with limited entrants to ensure top of the line attention and evaluation for their competitors.
In addition to the Gunslinger Challenge, the organization's quarterback training covers every facet of the position from stance, mechanics and reading coverage to the variety of drops that a players could be asked to execute at any level.
For wide receivers the training is just as comprehensive. Players will learn and practice the releases needed to beat coverage and all of the route running skills that are required to be a top of the line WR.
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Camps exclusively for offensive and defensive linemen
Lineman training given by former college & NFL players and coaches
Quality instruction on the field and in a classroom setting
Skills that can be applied immediately on the field and off
Exposure to our growing network of college coaches of all levels
Lineman profiles!
Offense/Defense Football Camps
Offense-Defense Football Camps have run one of the most respected full-contact and modified-contact football camps for 48 years.
“We have more hands-on training program,” director Herb Blanding said on what makes O-D unique. “By the end of camp, coaches know [the kids’] names; a lot of camps don’t have that. They work with kids in one-on-one sessions—even outside of the camps.” These include experienced NFL coaches Larry Kirksey, Johnnie Lynn and Ray Sherman.
For grades 1-8, the camp’s coaches ensure that the players are well-equipped to deliver tackles and hits in a safe manner, as well as receive them safely.
Blanding noted that there is an 80% return rate of kids to the higher age levels, and there is a high percentage of players eventually receiving scholarships. “We try to maintain contact with them and are constantly seeking landing pads for them,” Blanding said.
In addition, the list of O-D alumni is extensive, which includes Cam Newton, Dez Bryant and numerous NFL players.
Speak with a Youth1 Recruiting Counselor
Youth1’s Recruiting Counselors are on a mission to educate you on the recruiting process - one that's very competitive and starts early. Let us provide guidance through the most important decisions that shape your athlete's journey in sports.
Learn how to become a recruitable student-athlete, find out what colleges you match best with, and get the ability to message college coaches directly with a specialized recruiting package.
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