For much of the past two decades, the summer months signaled an opportunity for prospects and high school coaches to attend camps across the country.

While the emphasis at the beginning was to compete in those hot months of June and July, the purpose has taken on a new meaning – with dozens of bus caravan trips that take athletes to schools across the country, not only giving them exposure, but a chance to compete and showcase their skills against prospects from all over the nation.

Former Hialeah head coach Marc Berman was one of the first to take football prospects on these college road trips during the summer to see schools and at the same time, expose these high school kids to a rich history of states and cities they only read about in their classes.

The trips were nowhere like they are now – with competitions being held at every college and university. Back then, no 7-on-7 events or line camps existed. That was something you did back home at your own school.

These summer camps have now morphed into major exposure opportunities – with combines, camps, 7-on-7s and just about anything that exists.

Today, college coaches interact with those student/athletes who attend. Something the NCAA frowned on 20 years ago.

While everyone wants to claim they started off-season events, the actuality is very few colleges across the country ever attempted any of these summer events until the University of South Florida, assistant coach Renato Diaz and head coach Jim Leavitt began to hold their “Sling & Shoot” 7-on-7 competition that attracted schools from the immediate area around Tampa, but word spread fast.

Three years into this summer showcase, schools from as far away as Miami and Jacksonville would come to compete. It opened the door for schools across the nation to start hosting regional events.

Within the past decade, things have picked up in every corner of the country as high school coaches and players attended camps and events nationally, and while nobody can put their finger on the number of prospects who are impacted the most, it is something that has become a must.

Having been around in the 70’s and 80’s when the only football related thing happening was opening the weightroom a few times a week and throwing the ball around with teammates, we can tell you that with the Nike Camp showcasing national athletes, very few outlets were around to plant that flag in the sand.

Fort Lauderdale head coach Richard Dunbar took his team on an academic road trip last summer, playing football but also visiting top-flight academic institutions.

Several teams have embarked on their own adventure throughout the years – giving their players an experience they will long remember.

Because the NCAA gets involved when it’s convenient, the month of June is basically the only time that NCAA member schools can host these on campus events, but that has opened the month of July up to the smaller schools.

Programs such as head coach Doug Socha’s Keiser University hosts several camps during July, which includes a highly competitive 7-on-7 tournament. Other schools across the country do the same thing – taking full advantage of having the market cornered for the month.

July is also a time when local high schools and organizations host events that attract linemen, quarterbacks, receivers and teams.

While there is no guarantee that any of these events will produce a scholarship offer, the fact that you are creating memories and competing is all that matters in the end.

TRACKING SOUTH FLORIDA (MIAMI-DADE & BROWARD) PROSPECTS – CLASSES 2024-2027. LAST UPDATED: June 5, 2023. https://larryblustein.com/prospects/tracking-south-florida-prospects COLLEGE COACHES ARE WATCHING ALL THE TIME, SO LET’S KEEP UPDATING – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..