Athletes get a chance to showcase skills at VTO Sports Elite 100 event

Logan King is determined to play college football, but his last chance to grab the attention of recruiters this fall is up in the air because of the coronavirus pandemic.

For high school athletes like King, the VTO Sports Elite 100 exposure camp held Sunday in the Sportsplex at Matthews is an opportunity to be noticed by colleges while the status of high school sports is anything but certain.

“If I do something good, I want every college recruiter to look at it,” King said.

King plays tight end at West Davidson High School in Lexington, about an hour north of Matthews. Most participants came from North Carolina or South Carolina, but some on the 180-person roster traveled from as far as Virginia, Ohio and Utah.

VTO president and camp organizer Vince Jacobs said the cancellations and postponements of this year’s Nike, Under Armour and Rivals camps left many prospects without showcase opportunities this summer, and the VTO event is to give athletes attention.

“You have a ton of kids who have nothing right now,” Jacobs said. “They’re looking for ways to get their name out there … We’re happy giving these kids out here today a chance to get some exposure.”

While the main goal of Sunday’s camp was to help uncommitted athletes like King to update their highlight reels, a handful of Division I commits also participated, including four-star outside linebacker Raneiria Dillworth, a class of 2021 UNC commit from Kernersville.

Dillworth, who won the camp’s linebacker MVP award, said he was encouraged to come to the showcase and continue working this summer even though he’s already set for the next step.

“For me, I’m on the point of getting ready for college,” Dillworth said. “But for the younger guys that don’t have any opportunities, I’m concerned with them a lot.”

Concerns about the spread of the coronavirus have continued to delay the restart of athletic practices in North Carolina public schools. Last week, N.C. High School Athletic Association commissioner Que Tucker said she was thinking Aug. 17 could be the date when public schools will begin practice, but the plans depend on Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision on opening schools.

Jacobs said VTO Sports camps typically break in the fall, but he plans to hold more events if North Carolina high schools decide to delay or cancel fall athletics. He also said plans are already in the works for an event highlighting unsigned seniors that will be live streamed for college coaches.

“We’re not going to jump the gun,” Jacobs said. “If there is no football, we’re going to host one or two more of these to help, especially (for) the seniors.”

The coronavirus remained at the forefront of everyone’s mind with various preventative measures in place. Participants were temperature checked and asked about COVID-19 symptoms before entering, brought their own water bottles for the day and had to keep masks on their face or around their neck throughout the camp.

Participants were split across four different fields, couldn’t high-five each other or celebrate together and were often reminded to keep six feet apart. Parents, who typically line the fields and take close-up shots of their children, had to stay outside the complex’s fence.

“This is probably the new way of high school sports,” Jacobs said. “You’re going to send your kids to an event, and you’ll be lucky if you’re able to be within 20 feet of him because our organization, as well as probably high schools, may not have the ability to let fans and spectators in to keep everybody safe.”

Still, cancellation was never an option for the showcase. Jacobs said Sunday’s event had been planned since March, and he estimated 50 parents had called him since the onset of the pandemic asking for him to give their children a chance to garner attention.

“They couldn’t go to college camp, they have no offers. They send their film in, the coaches don’t say anything back,” Jacobs said. “It’s about trying to give the kids a chance.”

As for King, he’s grateful for the chance to build up his recruiting profile. He said he’s been contacted by coaches from Elon and Old Dominion, but he hasn’t received an offer.

“I think it’s important because a lot of these athletes aren’t able to work out or get all the work done that they need to,” King said. “It’s good to have this.”