More than 700 unsigned senior football players took the field at NRG Stadium on Saturday, driven by the same goal and the same urgency: to be seen.
At the 18th Annual Senior Football Showcase, college dreams didn’t hinge on Friday night highlights or season-long stat lines, but on technique, effort, and how players carried themselves during a few critical hours in front of college coaches searching for their next opportunity.
The Senior Football Showcase allowed more than 850 unsigned seniors to showcase their skills in front of over 40 Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs.
“During the one-on-ones, we’re just looking for guys competing and making plays on the football,” said Matt Henning, defensive coordinator at Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois. “With the big guys, we’re making sure they’re getting off the ball, going through the drill work, working on their speed and footwork, and ultimately making sure the guys are able to follow the direction that’s being taught to them by the coaches at those drills.”
EJ Valentine, Central Methodist University’s defensive coordinator, was also in attendance and emphasized the importance of showcases of this magnitude in today’s recruiting landscape.
“I think this is a great thing because in the city of Houston, there are a lot of football players with talent who get overlooked, so this is a second chance for those kids to showcase their talent in front of different coaches,”
EJ Valentine
“I’ve been coming to Houston Showcase for 18 years, and I haven’t missed any of them,” said Valentine. “I think this is a great thing because in the city of Houston, there are a lot of football players with talent who get overlooked, so this is a second chance for those kids to showcase their talent in front of different coaches.”
Within that controlled environment, a handful of players began to separate themselves, not through words but through performance.
Blake Dickerson, a 6-foot, 210-pound quarterback from Kashmere High School, came to showcase his offensive skills for colleges.
“My focus was on showing that I can command the offense, maintain consistent mechanics, and deliver the ball accurately on every throw,” said Dickerson. “I wanted coaches to see how I operate as a quarterback, not just my arm strength.”
North Forest wide receiver La’Shun Gray, listed at 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, felt that the wide receiver drills best showcased his skill set.
“Going through the route tree allowed me to warm up my hands by going through every route multiple times while staying calm,” said Gray.
In an environment where composure is essential and every rep counts, Shadow Creek’s 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman Chaz Oliver understood the mission.
“I stayed composed by looking around and seeing all those coaches taking notice, which let me know there’s an opportunity out there somewhere,” said Oliver. “During preparation, I focused on taking the best first step and slowing everything down, one by one.”
While some players stand out for their physical presence, others separate themselves in quieter, more technical ways.
“I put a lot of emphasis on my technique, taking the time to go through every step of the motion before moving on to the next step,” said 5-foot-9, 160-pound Madison High School wide receiver/safety Damien Duckworth. “My safeties coach, Coach Simon, helped me learn the technique the right way.”
“I call him a technician,” said Madison head coach James Soria. “He does a good job watching film, sits with his position coach regularly to learn the scheme, then applies what he learned on the field.”
Last season, Duckworth played on both sides of the ball.
“Some view him as an undersized safety at the college level, but he plays bigger than his size. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and hit, but he’s also the kid we can put in the slot. If you get the ball in his hands, he can go make a play. Because he’s versatile and flexible, he will do a great job on either side of the ball at the next level.”
For many of these seniors, strong fundamentals aren’t just a strength; they’re a necessity in a competitive recruiting environment.
“When you look at it now, a lot of coaches don’t want to recruit high school kids and develop them,” said Valentine. “Everybody wants to get a product that’s already ready to go. The portal allows coaches to know what they’re getting and to get that fixed right away.”
To remain competitive in today’s recruiting landscape, high school athletes need more than just film.
“You have your film, you have your talent, but also make sure you’re a great person,” said Valentine. “When the coaches come talk to you, look them in the eyes, speak louder, have confidence in yourself and who you are, and just keep doing the right thing. Make sure you have grades because at the end of the day, if you don’t have grades, we can’t help you.”
Understanding those realities doesn’t ease the pressure; it sharpens it for players chasing one more chance.
“This opportunity means a lot,” said Chaz Oliver’s father, Kim Bowmen. “My son had a lot of interest before he tore his ACL in the third game of his junior season. After his injury, much of that interest faded. Events like these are needed because we watch these kids grind every day throughout the year. When my son suffered the injury, he remained in high spirits until he saw the offers weren’t really coming in, and that’s when he started feeling the frustration. But events like this allow him to be seen again by multiple schools.”
As the showcase moved from drill to drill, every rep carried weight, whether noticed immediately or not. While offers weren’t guaranteed, exposure was, and for some in attendance, that exposure became the turning point.
“You have to want it,” said Bowmen. “In life, it’s always going to be competition, but you can only control the controllables.”
