While south Florida is certainly the epicenter for high school football talent, it is also home to perhaps the most unsigned and qualified prospects in the country.
As we all know by now, the world of college football recruiting is complex and never easy to figure out, but in south Florida, things re indeed changing – with more colleges having programs and providing opportunities for these young men who have gotten it done in the classroom as well as on the athletic field.
Because the competition for college scholarships is intense - National Signing Day 1 and 2 will pass by with many qualified student/athletes still without a place to go.
While there are “small college recruiting fairs” held throughout the state of Florida, it is simply not enough for many of these young men who have achieved on the football field as well as the classroom.
Thanks to the Orange Bowl Showcase, the playing field has indeed been leveled off – and getting high school senior football prospects recognized is better than it has been.
For the past three years, some very hard working people made a difference - with the Orange Bowl Showcase that truly received some very positive results, and assisted in the process. Last year alone, 69 student athletes received scholarships from the event – with 41 Colleges present. Nearly 30% of those who participated were recruited. In end, an estimated total aid provided at the Orange Bowl Florida High School Football Showcase was an impressive $1,218,944
As they move toward the fourth year, the Orange Bowl, in association with the National Football Foundation (NFF), and its local chapters, will host this year’s annual showcase presented by Cleveland Clinic Florida. The free one-day event will take place this Saturday, Feb. 29, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens (16401 NW 37th Ave).
With Florida Memorial University starting up this coming season under head coach Tim “Ice” Harris – following Coach Bill Rychel and St. Thomas University, which began last year, they are looking to be part of that more than $1 million in college scholarships that have been earned by participants in each of the first three showcase events.
Many have gone on to study and play football at NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools. Additionally, 160 student-athletes have been recruited by colleges and universities since the inception of the event.
Academically qualified high school senior student-athletes from Florida are invited to participate in the showcase, and will partake in a series of tests and drills highlighting their athletic ability in front of top college coaches from across the country, including 7-on-7, bench press, 40-yard dash, and more.
Participating coaches and university representatives in attendance will evaluate student-athletes and discuss their respective football programs as well as scholarship opportunities with the participating student-athletes during the daylong event providing student-athletes an unprecedented opportunity to earn collegiate scholarships, and ultimately, a college degree.
Among the schools on hand last year included: ASA Miami, Ava Maria, Keiser University and Webber International Anderson University (Indiana), Hiram College (Ohio), Heidelberg (Ohio), Methodist University (North Carolina), Lake Forest College (Ilinois), Ohio Northern University, Nichols College (Massachusetts), Husson (Maine), Johnson C. Smith (North Carolina), Dakota State University (South Dakota), Olivet College (Michigan), Curry College (Massachusetts) and national powerhouse Mount Union, Ohio, Adrian College and Pikesville, Kentucky to name a few.
To be eligible to participate in the 2020 Showcase, students-athletes must be a graduating high school senior who has not accepted a scholarship offer from an NCAA Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision) football program. In addition, they must meet the following academic qualifications:
• Earn a 2.5 GPA or higher in 16 Core Courses (please visit http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/core-courses for a description of NCAA Eligible Core Courses).
• Earn an SAT score of 920 (math and verbal only) or higher on new format (SAT exams taken after March 2016).
• Have a composite ACT score of 18 or higher or a sum score of 68 or higher.
An information session will take place during the showcase activites from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm, to educate parents on financial aid, NCAA eligibility requirements and much more. We encourage you to attend this session to learn more about putting your student-athlete in the best position to be successful.
SCHEDULE
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. – Registration
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Student-Athlete Welcome
9:15 a.m. - 9:25 a.m. - College Coaches Welcome
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Linemen Drills / Skill Players Testing
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Skill Players Drills / Linemen Testing
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - 7 on 7 Games / Student-Athletes Meet with College Coaches
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
* During showcase activities the only persons permitted on-site are event staff, participants, high school coaches and participating colleges.
* Parents will be allowed to join after all football activities have concluded.
* Scouts and recruiters are NOT permitted at the Showcase.
* Students must provide their own transportation to and from the venue.
* Students are encouraged to bring two pairs of shoes (football shoes and running shoes).
* Students are encouraged to bring extra copies of transcripts and test scores.
* Water will be provided.
Register for the event: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egou3ezhce121e39&oseq=&c=&ch=