Engagement Insider
The 2014 NFL PREP 100 Series Presented by Under Armour and the National Guard kicked off this weekend with its first stop in New Orleans, LA. Student-athletes started the day hearing from Gatorade about proper nutrition for high performing athletes and then went through four breakout panels led by current and former college and professional football players.
Pro Football Hall of Famer and New Orleans native Aeneas Williams spoke to participants about professional development, emphasizing that it’s never too early to start preparing for your career whether that’s in sports or elsewhere. Fred McAfee, Director of Player Engagement for the New Orleans Saints, moderated a panel on football development. Julius Warmsley, defensive end at Tulane University, and Terron Armstead, offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints shared their first-hand insight as college and professional players.
Representatives from the NCAA and 2Five Sports, a college athlete recruiting agency, spoke to attendees about eligibility requirements and the college recruiting process. Justin Paysinger of the NCAA encouraged students to be mindful of their personal brand and how they present themselves to college scouts and coaches.
Two-time Super Bowl champion and founder of 2Five Sports Mark Collins emphasized the importance of prioritizing academics and completing your college degree. “You have no control over whether a college or professional team picks you to play for them,” he said. “The one thing you can control is getting your education.” Rounding out the sessions on achieving success of the field, the National Guard spoke about building strong character and staying true to your values.
Presenters also spoke to parents and coaches, imparting valuable information on the college athletics landscape. “I really enjoyed [Aeneas] Williams’s advice on getting the parents to be more involved in the recruiting process,” said Jerry Tillery, whose son was participating in the program. “You have to get an understanding of who your son is and what he wants to do, and then make an informed decision.” Stephen Dennis of Northwood High School in Shreveport, LA said, “From a coach’s perspective, I learned so much about the eligibility requirements, test codes, and more. I was honestly blown away at the set up.”
For the afternoon sessions, players took the field at the New Orleans Saints Training facility, outfitted in custom Under Armour apparel. Participants were coached through drills and 7-on-7 scrimmages by a team of NFL Legends Eddie Mason, Ladell Betts, Keenan Burton, and more. The student-athletes also drew inspiration from one another, demonstrating great sportsmanship during intense competition. “I like the leadership experience of playing with other strong young men. It builds confidence,” said Kendell Harrison, a junior at Landry-Walker High School in New Orleans.
As the PREP 100 series continues this spring, follow @NFLPrep100 on Twitter from live updates from each city.