National junior combine coming to tampa to help young athletes showcase their talent
Tampa, FL – On July 17, young football players throughout the state of Florida will have a unique opportunity to get noticed by HS prep and college coaches and premier national scouts. Junior Rank, the first and only combine for 6th – 9th grade student-athletes, will be stopping in Tampa on its national combine tour. The Junior Rank combine is an unprecedented chance for young athletes to gain exposure, be evaluated by the nation’s top football experts and get invaluable advice for their blossoming athletic careers.
Junior Rank provides student-athletes with evaluation, coaching and instruction and helps them establish a healthy balance between sports and school, crucial services now that athletes are being scouted at a younger and younger age. “Before Junior Rank, there was no comprehensive evaluation and education resource for junior athletes and their parents,” said Junior Rank CEO Shaon Berry. “At Junior Rank we’ve developed a customized scouting model designed by NFL and NCAA players, coaches and scouts to profile, evaluate and educate America’s next generation of student-athletes. And, because we are committed to our next generation of role models, we consider academic performance, community service and other leadership characteristics when evaluating our athletes.”
At the combine, student-athletes will enjoy a fun, rewarding day of coaching, assessment and competition. Combine athletes will be evaluated on their performance in four categories: the 20- and 40-yard dash, vertical jump, agility shuffle and one-on-ones. Combine coaches Macey Brooks, a retired NFL wide receiver and Mike Sims, quarterback coach and consultant for several NFL teams, will use their experienced eyes to rank the athletes on their skill and potential and provide athletes with personalized feedback.
“We use a 5-Diamond Methodology to evaluate our athletes,” said Berry. “All these athletes are in training—diamonds in the rough, if you will—and we evaluate them as such. However, an athlete must not only have an exceptional physical skill set, he must have a great academic record to receive our highest rating.”
At the end of the day, each athlete’s results are tabulated and published on juniorrank.com. The top performers will be featured on Junior Rank’s homepage as “showcase athletes.” Standout athletes who maintain an A/B average will also be invited to attend the Diamond Flight Camp, a showcase skills camp conducted by NFL and NCAA coaches, and the Diamond Bowl, a nationally televised all-American game for the country’s best 6th, 7th and 8th grade student-athletes. And beyond the exposure to recruiters, all the athletes at the combine walk away with new skills, motivation and healthy outlook on sports, academics and character that will benefit them as they pursue their athletic dreams.
Junior Rank’s Tampa combine will take place on July 17 at Wildcats Field at 9190 Imperial Oak Blvd., Tampa, FL from 10 am to 2 pm. The entry fee for the combine is $99 before July 10 and $129 the week of the event. Space is limited, so interested athletes are encouraged to register for the event as soon as possible at www.juniorrank.com. For more information on Junior Rank and the Tampa combine, athletes, parents and coaches can visit the Junior Rank website or call 877.JR1.RANK (877.571.7265).
