Prospects flash skills for scouts at football satellite camp

Harkening back to his days in a Myrtle Beach football uniform, Ivan Simmons vividly recalls the struggles he experienced in his effort to realize his dream of playing college football.

Most notable of those being his inability to garner the attention he felt was deserved.

“I was one of those kids,” he said. “It just seemed no matter what I did was good enough to get their attention.”

Across the Palmetto State, scores of other prep football players feel the same way. However, with the help of Simmons their time and effort will not be ignored.

Coaches and scouts from several instate schools flocked to Doug Shaw Stadium on Wednesday, getting a closer look at what the future has to offer on the gridiron as part of the inaugural Beach Bash satellite football camp.

Nearly 150 athletes took part in the event. Hosted by Carolina Xposure, the camp is the first of its kind to be held in South Carolina.

A controversial topic in college football, a ban on satellite camps — a term used to describe off-campus coaching clinics attended by prospective football players — was rescinded in April.

According to some, the notion of such events is bad for the sport, tilting recruiting drastically in favor of power conferences. Meanwhile, others believe the presence of satellite camps help break up territorial monopolies in terms of recruiting.

None of that was on the mind of those at Wednesday’s camp, though, athletes taking part in skill development training followed by 1-on-1 drills. Afterward, they were able to converse with coaches who were tasked with grading them throughout the morning.

“I’ve been to four of these, and I think for the student-athletes these satellite camps are a good deal,” said Coastal Carolina tight ends and offensive tackles coach Nick Jones. “As a kid, you’re able to pay one price to perform for six, seven schools at the least. Some of these I’ve been to have had 20 or 30 schools there.

“So I think for the student-athlete, these are beneficial for them where they can save time, save gas and save money.”

For York’s Wally Wilmore, the Beach Bash satellite camp was the sixth camp he’s taken part in since school let out for summer break. Having played a number of positions over the course of his high school career — among them quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back — the rising senior believes the fierce competition is what sets these events apart.

“Just to be able to guard the best people around, take in new competition that I haven’t seen, going both ways at wide receiver and (defensive back), and being taught things from coaches and putting it into my game helps out a lot,” he said. “In the end, all of it only helps me become a better player.”

This story was originally published June 15, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Prospects flash skills for scouts at football satellite camp."