Sunday was amazing and fun for us as we once again traveled to the University of Oregon for the annual showcase that Nike sponsors; this year the name changed to the Opening Regional Camp.  Same great high energy Nike event and the amazing group of people who are the Nike Football staff.

Has it really been 10 years I have been attending?  Yes- it has.  And while new athletes and parents show up every year some of us have remained fixtures and have borne witness to the State of the Camp and in many ways of High School Football itself.

Tyson Penn fresh off his Oregon State Offered showed why he is so hot right now! The guy was dominant!

In a few months or a year or two most of you will never attend a High School game again.  You will never be at another camp or event nor should you- moving on from football is something everyone needs to do.  Not every one does those; I am one.  So let me wax prophetic on this.  Nike is the gold standard of all sporting goods companies; way beyond a shoe company they have showed tremendous creativity and concern when developing and maintaining the brand.  This camp is the life blood of the Nike High School footprint because it is at these camps that talent rises and that those lucky athletes with offers compete and let other kids have a shot.  We find new talent at the camps every year and the Camp staff treats all who come equally.  All are coached up and all treated well.  It is a place a guy can come thinking he is the cats meow and can leave humbled after loosing battles to better talent. A place where a kid from “Nowheresville” can show up and get somewhere.

So let me and all of us that love the Nike Camp thank Nike and the staff;  so many to thank but truly I want to thank Matt James of Nike Football and the Elite 11 – a good friend and a Champion for our NW kids as he was one (Hillsboro HS, PSU).  Along with all the Nike staff, many of whom have been there every year, is the staff at StudentSports.com.  Guys like Michael White, Todd Huber, Michael Fletcher, Eugene Jackson, and especially Brian Stumpf.  Thanks to all of you for the camp you produce and the care you give to delivering a safe event.

Recruits and parents if you were there or have been in the past there you know what I am saying to be true.  For those who have not this needed to be said.  Now look for week long coverage on the Camp and what we found there.  Let’s start it off by sharing about 450 pictures we loved from the camp that feature many of our NW prospects.  See those below and remember to tag em, share em, Tweet em, take em, and give us a Like and a Follow while you are over there!

Dirk Knudsen

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.