Athletic showcase
With All-star Game cancelled, upperclassmen put skills on display
Memphis area high school football juniors and seniors show their skills.
Shelby County Schools didn't play football this season, but it was able to partner with the Autozone Liberty Bowl to put on a showcase for the players at the Liberty Bowl.
Autozone Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart said that between 300-400 athletes attended the event, which was open to juniors and seniors from local high schools. Since the event is replacing the Autozone Liberty Bowl High School All-star Game, seniors from non-scs schools were also allowed to attend.
"It's been a wonderful event, especially for the young men who were not able to play football this season," said Ehrhart. "It was great to see their eyes lighting up and the excitement they had for just being out here. It's an exciting way to cap a very difficult year."
Germantown coach Gene Robinson volunteered at the event and said that it was good to see players have a chance to showcase their skills. The former North Carolina defensive back said he enjoyed working with the younger defensive backs on their technique.
"We've had a lot thrown at us and these kids are still constantly working hard and getting better," Robinson said. " And came out here to show that they belong and that they too should have opportunities to play the game of football."
Keevon Ransfer, a junior at Middle College, said that he enjoyed being able to compete, and measure his ability with drills.
"It was nice. It was something different," Ransfer said. "My favorite part was doing the combine drills like the 40 and the shuffle and things like that because it's a competition and the adrenaline is rushing through your veins."
Ehrhart said the goal of the event was to make up for some of the exposure to college coaches that was lost with the season and the all-star game being canceled.
"My favorite thing was last night, there were a number of coaches here from various colleges," Ehrhart said. "And one of them after watching a young man do a couple of drills said that ‘you've got a scholarship offer for college right now on the spot. That was the highlight of what I saw."
Each player will receive a tape of their performance. For the seniors, it's a finished product that they can send to college coaches. For the juniors, it's a chance to look at their techniques and see where they can improve.
"You always have to have tape. It will be big so that coaches can see what they can do," Robinson said.