Steel City Showcase: Valley’s top players workout for college football coaches

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – College football coaches from more than 30 programs across the country were in town Tuesday to see what the Valley has to offer.

The ‘Steel City Showcase’ took place at five area high schools.

Watch the video above to hear from Austintown Fitch head coach TJ Parker and YSU head coach Doug Phillips.

Players from Ursuline, Struthers, Chaney, Canfield and Austintown Fitch were all on the field, working out and being evaluated by college recruiters.

“Coaches from maybe hours away, they used to come in the school, drop off a camp flyer and hope that the kids are free on a weekend, that their parents can drive them all the way down, and they’ll participate in their camp,” says Parker. “This gives them the option to have one hour to come in, see all the athletes in the area, the area that they recruit, go from school to school and actually see a simulated camp for all the kids. So it’s great to get them out here, see them moving, and it saves our kids a ton of money.”

“Everybody’s journey is different,” says YSU head coach Doug Phillips. “I’m proud to say we give scholarships to players, but I’m also proud to say we’ve given 16 scholarships to walk-ons over the last three years. So the journey is going to be different for all these young men. But to get the opportunity, maybe take it and play at the next level, that’s what their dreams are.”

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