The McKay Center dining hall was packed with over 120 high school football players from every position group - quarterbacks, running backs, offensive linemen, defensive backs, linebackers. But the biggest group was us receivers, about 60 deep, all competing for the same thing.
"Yo, that's definitely CJ Williams," Tyler said, nodding toward a table where several players in USC gear were sitting. "Mater Dei kids stick together."
I spotted the group he was talking about - three or four players who moved with the ease of people who already knew they'd be playing here next year. CJ Williams was easy to pick out, tall and confident, currently roasting one of his teammates about something.
"Home field advantage," I muttered, loading my plate with chicken and rice.
"Doesn't matter," Cameron said from behind us. "We're not here to make friends."
"Speak for yourself," Derek said with a grin. "I'm trying to network. Get some Instagram followers."
"Bro, you're so unserious," Alex laughed.
The five of us found a table near the middle of the dining hall and settled in. Around us, the energy was different depending on where you looked. The Texas kids were loud as hell, already talking shit and laughing. The California kids were more laid back but watching everyone. A group of Florida kids were doing some kind of handshake that looked complicated as fuck.
"Welcome, gentlemen!" A voice boomed through the speakers. A man in USC coaching gear stood at a podium up front. "I'm Coach Davis, Director of Player Personnel. Welcome to USC's Elite Prospect Camp!"
The room quieted down, but not completely. Some kids were still whispering.
"Over the next five days - that's Monday through Friday - you'll be competing in one of the most intensive evaluation camps in the country. Let me break down the schedule so everyone's clear."
He clicked to a slide on the screen behind him.
USC ELITE CAMP SCHEDULE
Monday:
7:00 AM - Position Meetings (Receivers in Heritage Hall 204)8:30 AM - Dynamic Warm-up & Stretching9:00 AM - Individual Position Drills11:00 AM - Combine Testing (40-yard dash, shuttle, vertical jump, broad jump)1:00 PM - Lunch2:30 PM - 7-on-7 Competition (Pool Play)5:00 PM - Film Review6:30 PM - Dinner
Tuesday-Thursday:
7:00 AM - Film Study8:30 AM - Individual Technique Work10:00 AM - One-on-One Competitions12:00 PM - Lunch1:30 PM - 7-on-7 Competition (Bracket Play)4:00 PM - Full Team Drills5:30 PM - Position Meetings7:00 PM - Dinner
Friday:
8:00 AM - Championship Round 7-on-711:00 AM - All-Star Game at the Coliseum2:00 PM - Camp Awards & Closing
"As you can see," Coach Davis continued, "this is a full schedule. You'll be evaluated on everything - technique, speed, competitiveness, coachability, and character. College coaches from across the country will be watching film from this camp."
Damn. That's intense.
"One more thing," Coach Davis added with a slight smile. "We've got some special talent in the building this week. Would Travis Hunter please stand up?"
The room erupted as a kid from the back corner stood up. Even from across the dining hall, you could tell this dude was different. About 6'1", perfect build, and the way he carried himself - it was like watching a young Deion Sanders.
"For those who don't know," Coach Davis said as the noise died down, "Travis is the number one ranked player in the entire 2022 class. Plays both ways - receiver and cornerback. He'll be working with both position groups this week."
Travis gave a casual wave and sat back down, completely unbothered by all the attention.
"Yo, that's really him," Derek whispered. "The number one player in the country."
"Man's really built like that," Alex added, trying to get a better look.
"Alright, alright," Coach Davis called out. "Eat up, get some rest. Tomorrow we find out who's ready for this level. Dismissed!"
The room exploded with conversation and movement. Our table stayed put for a minute, processing everything.
"Five days," Cameron said slowly. "That schedule is no joke."
"Combine testing on day one?" Tyler shook his head. "They're not wasting any time."
"Good," I said. "Let's just get to it. All this waiting around is making me more nervous."
"Nervous about what?" Derek asked, taking a bite of his food. "You know you're going to kill the vertical jump. Forty-two inches is wild."
"The forty though," I said. "High 4.5s, maybe touching 4.6. Some of these dudes are going to run 4.4s easy."
"So what?" Tyler said, looking at me like I was crazy. "Bro, with that monster vertical and the way you run routes? Who cares if you're fast? You get open anyway."
"Tyler's right," Cameron added. "Half these dudes can run a 4.4 but can't catch or don't know how to set up their breaks. You're a football player, not just an athlete."
"Plus," Alex said, "your hands are probably the best at this whole camp. I watched you catch everything in practice - high, low, behind you, didn't matter."
Well even if he's older Jerry Rice is still Jerry Rice
"Facts," Derek agreed. "Speed matters, but separation matters more. And you separate better than anybody I've seen."
"Appreciate y'all," I said. "Just don't want to look out of place compared to some of these elite guys."
"Bro, Jerry Rice ran like a 4.7," Tyler said matter-of-factly. "And he's the greatest receiver ever. Speed is overrated."
As we started heading out of the dining hall, I found myself walking near the table where Travis Hunter and his crew were still sitting. They were laughing about something, completely relaxed.
"Aye, you good?" someone said.
I looked over and realized Travis was talking to me. Up close, dude looked even more impressive - lean but strong, with this calm confidence that you couldn't fake.
"Yeah, I'm good," I said, trying to act natural. "You Travis?"
"Last time I checked," he said with a grin, standing up to dap me. "You play receiver?"
"Yeah. Jakari Williams, Malibu Prep."
"Oh shit I knew it, you that kid from the Serra game?" One of his boys spoke up. "Saw your highlights on Twitter. That one-handed catch was crazy."
"Appreciate it," I said, genuinely surprised they'd seen it.
"West Coast kids been talking about that game all week," Travis said. "Said y'all put up like 60-something points."
"63," I said. "But Serra was missing some players, so—"
"Still 63," Travis laughed, cutting me off. "That's cooking regardless. You ready for this week?"
"Trying to be. This schedule is wild though."
"Man, you'll be straight. Just compete." He paused, then added with a smirk, "But I'ma lock you up when we go against each other though."
"We'll see about that might be head tops all day ," I shot back, matching his energy. "But I heard you play both ways though. Must be exhausting."
"It is," Travis laughed. "But somebody gotta do it. These coaches keep saying I'm too good to just play one side."
"That's a flex if I ever heard one," I said.
"Nah, real talk though," Travis said, his tone getting more genuine. "You came with your whole team?"
"Nah just, five of us. My boys are over there probably watching this whole conversation like weirdos."
Travis glanced over and saw Tyler, Cameron, Derek, and Alex all trying to act like they weren't staring.
"Not gonna lie that's smart," he said. "Chemistry matters. A lot of these dudes came solo thinking they're going to ISO their way through camp. But the coaches watch everything - how you interact with people, how you handle yourself, all that."
"That's what our coach told us."
"Your coach is right." Travis checked his phone then looked back at me. "Aye, I'ma see you tomorrow though. Let's get some work in."
"Bet."
As I walked back to my boys, they immediately swarmed me.
"BRO," Derek said, way too loud. "You was just talking to Travis Hunter like y'all are homies!"
"Calm down," I laughed. "He's just people."
"Just people?" Tyler looked at me like I was crazy. "That's the number one player in the country!"
"He actually seemed cool," I said. "Not on some superstar shit. Just normal."
"What'd he say?" Cameron asked, clearly trying to act casual but failing.
"Said he saw the Serra highlights. Called the one-handed catch crazy."
"SEE!" Derek practically yelled, then caught himself and lowered his voice. "The number one player in the country knows who you are. That's not normal, Jakari."
"Y'all are doing too much right now," I said, but I was smiling.
"Nah, Derek's right though," Alex said. "That's actually major. He could've just stayed with his people, but he made a point to talk to you."
"Probably talks to everybody," I said, downplaying it.
"Maybe," Tyler said. "But he spent like five minutes with you. That's different."
Back in the dorms, we ended up in Cameron's room again. The vibe was more serious now, the reality of tomorrow settling in.
"Seven AM position meeting," Tyler said, looking at the schedule on his phone for probably the hundredth time. "Then we're basically going all day."
"The combine testing is going to be interesting," Alex said. "Everybody's going to see each other's real numbers."
"Not worried about that," Tyler said confidently. "My route running will speak for itself."
"Facts," Derek added. "Technique beats athleticism every time."
"Y'all nervous at all?" I asked.
"Little bit," Cameron admitted. "But more excited than nervous. We've been preparing for this."
"Same," Alex said. "Just want to get out there and compete already."
"Tomorrow's going to show what we're really about," Derek said. "Individual drills, technique work - that's where they separate the real players from the athletes."
"We've been running Coach Rivera's system all year," I said. "We know how to run routes, how to create separation, how to adjust. That's our advantage."
"Exactly," Cameron agreed. "Half these dudes probably just run fast and jump high. But can they run a proper comeback route? Can they work back to the quarterback when the play breaks down? That's what's going to matter."
"Our chemistry too," Tyler added. "We know how to play together. That'll show up in the 7-on-7s."
Hopefully we get matched up together though
We spent another thirty minutes talking through different scenarios, building each other up, and trying to manage our nerves. Eventually, we all headed back to our rooms with plans to meet for breakfast at 6:30 AM.
Back in my room, Chris was already in bed scrolling through his phone.
"Yo, I heard you met Travis," he said as I walked in.
"Word travels fast."
"Bro, that's Travis Hunter. Number one player in the country. Probably going to be a first-round pick in like five years."
"He seemed cool," I said, pulling out my gear for tomorrow. "Just normal. Not on any superstar shit."
"That's what I heard about him," Chris said. "Met him at a camp in Dallas last summer. Dude's different, but like, humble different."
"That's the vibe I got too."
I laid out everything for the morning - white compression shirt, black shorts, my best cleats, new gloves. Everything needed to be perfect because tomorrow would set the tone for the entire week.
As I climbed into bed, I could hear music and voices from other rooms. Some kids were loud and hype, others were quiet. Everybody was dealing with the nerves in their own way.
I stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had led to this moment. From Chicago to Malibu. From unknown to competing against the best. From ranked 238th to sharing a dining hall with the number one player in the country.
Tomorrow Ima route these dudes up
I closed my eyes and let sleep come. Tomorrow would be here soon enough.