University of Redlands football program provides local prospects with opportunity
The University of Redlands held its annual football camp series for potential high school prospects in June.
The camp attracts college coaches from universities around the country to watch campers compete in various drills and competitions.
Among the coaches that made an appearance during the series included UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster and Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. Both were on campus for the “Redlands Mega Camp” on Monday.
Oregon, Washington, Utah and Arizona were other Power Four programs to have coaches representing their respective programs throughout the series.
UCLA was a camp headliner on Monday and Foster had most of his coaching staff in attendance throughout the evening.
Several skill position players hanging around after the camp to talk with UCLA football coach DeShaun Foster.
Offensive and defensive lineman camp will start shortly. pic.twitter.com/k8WaMgtVNC
— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) June 11, 2024
Santa Margarita offensive lineman Elijah Vaikona announced Tuesday that he had received an offer from the Bruins after speaking with UCLA offensive line coach Juan Castillo at the camp.
UCLA football offers Santa Margarita offensive lineman Elijah Vaikona.@elijah_vaikona’s confidence stood out to me as he lined up for 1-on-1 drills against opposing defensive lineman at the Redlands Mega Camp yesterday.
He was offered by Utah and Washington in April. https://t.co/zMst3Xlwyn
— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) June 11, 2024
University of Redlands football coach Jim Good believes there will be an estimated total of between 2,000 to 2,500 people who registered to participate throughout the six-camp series this year.
“I’m just excited that there is an opportunity (for the players) to get better,” Good said. “Coach Dillingham was coaching a quarterback group. That was so awesome and it’s really cool.”
While the camp was initially started to highlight Inland Empire athletes several years ago, the event has drawn interest from players from different parts of the country. Good also confirmed one of the campers traveled from Canada.
While the camp features several different schools coming together to scout the talent, Good believes there will be some benefit for his program as well.
“There are a lot of players that come here that believe they may be a Division 1 or 2 player and they’ll realize after the recruiting process that that Redlands place was awesome,” Good said. “ … They will think about how the camp was run well and how they were treated right. I think it sends a good message for a lot of kids.”
Redlands will hold its final prospect camp for the year on June 17.