More than 50 offensive and defensive linemen took part in two summer football camp sessions at Texas Southern University’s Durley Field Complex, each hoping to catch the attention of head coach Cris Dishman and his staff.
But for many athletes, the camp was simply another stop in a summer of travel, evaluations, and competition as they chase the same goal: a college football scholarship.
The Dishman Camp, named after Texas Southern head football coach, featured two days of coaching and evaluation. Each day was split into two sessions, with a morning session for offensive and defensive linemen and an afternoon session for skill players.
Today’s high school football players can’t rely strictly on game film. Many spend their summers traveling from camp to camp to gain exposure and put themselves in front of college coaches.
“Camps are an important part of the recruiting process today because coaches around the country get a lot of film, but attending camps allows coaches to evaluate you in person,” said Dishman. “I think all high school kids, whether you’re interested in the school or not, should get out there and attend camps so coaches can see how tall you are, how much you weigh, how fast you are, your shuttle time, and see you in person.”
Beyond evaluating a player’s size, speed, and athletic ability, Dishman said in-person camps allow coaches to assess the intangibles that often set recruits apart.
“We can learn a lot from seeing a prospect at a camp,” said Dishman. “You can learn how their attitude is and whether they are a leader. Film has a tendency to hide things from you because you can’t see or hear a player motivating their team.”
For several players, Texas Southern offered another opportunity in a summer that has become anything but a break.
Leo Barbour, an upcoming 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior defensive end from Jersey Village High School, attended the camp after participating in camps at SMU, Texas, Baylor, TCU, HCU, Texas A&M, Sam Houston, Texas Tech, UTSA, and Texas State.
“I’ve attended 13 camps this summer,” said Barbour. “Consistent attendance is important because each camp is another opportunity to compete, improve, and get in front of coaches. I’ve learned that recruiting is all about relationships, consistency, and hard work. Coaches pay far more attention to those qualities than to athletic ability alone.”
David Okunoye, an upcoming 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior offensive guard from George Bush High School, also participated after attending camps at the University of Houston, Midwestern State University, and Howard Payne University, where he received a scholarship offer.
“Although I received an offer from Howard Payne University, I continue attending camps to showcase my abilities as an athlete for coaches to see and want,” said Okunoye. “This summer has changed my approach to recruiting, making me more intentional. Every time I come up, my foot is all on the gas.”
Jerrell Hinnant, an upcoming 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior offensive lineman from Eisenhower High School, also attended after participating in camps at HCU, North Texas, and Stephen F. Austin.
“Every camp opportunity is important to me this year because I know I haven’t been recruited or recognized for what I can do,” said Hinnant. “Every time I touch the turf, whether coaches are watching or not, I know to give it 100% because my college isn’t guaranteed! When college coaches evaluate me, I hope they see my twitch and quickness out of my stance. I hope they see my base staying wide and my feet moving nonstop while blocking.”
The camp also drew athletes from across Texas and beyond, including Travarous Scott, a senior defensive lineman from Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who attended the Gridiron Football Elite Camp at Louisiana Christian University, and Kaden Wiltz, a junior tight end/defensive end from Westbrook High School in Beaumont, who attended camps at Stephen F. Austin and Lamar.
While exposure is the primary goal, camps also offer valuable instruction that can benefit athletes long after the final drill ends.
“Beyond size and athleticism, the athletes who leave the biggest impression are the ones who always want to be first in line,” said Dishman. “The ones who motivate the other athletes, ‘Hey, let’s keep it moving. Let’s keep going.’ That leaves a bigger impression on me. That tells me he’s a leader.”
For athletes pursuing a scholarship, Dishman advises them to maintain regular contact with their position coaches.
“We can learn a lot from seeing a prospect at a camp,” said Cris Dishman. “You can learn how their attitude is and whether they are a leader. Film has a tendency to hide things from you because you can’t see or hear a player motivating their team.”
“Keep in contact with the position coaches because they can get you on the board,” said Dishman. “Tweet him, follow him, and send him messages. The position coaches bring players to the head coach, and then we sit and watch as a staff. We watch everyone, from offense to defense to special, not as individuals but as a staff.”
Coachability, effort, competitiveness, attitude, and attention to detail are the qualities coaches value most, and players hope to carry these lessons as they prepare for the upcoming high school season.
Although the whistles eventually fell silent and the camp came to an end, the recruiting journey continues. For players like David Okunoye, Jerrell Hinnant, and Leo Barbour, each camp is another chance to improve, be noticed, and move one step closer to playing college football.
“I hope my hard work has established relationships with coaches and set me up to be evaluated properly for my senior year’s highlights that I drop,” said Hinnant.
