If you’ve ever driven through the rolling wheat fields of the Palouse and ended up in Cheney, you know the vibe. It’s quiet. It’s windy. But then you see that bright, screaming red turf at Roos Field, and you realize Eastern Washington University (EWU) isn't just another Big Sky school. For high school athletes looking to make the leap to the next level, the Eastern Washington football camp is basically a rite of passage in the Pacific Northwest. It’s gritty. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s where a lot of kids realize if they actually have what it takes to play college ball or if they’re just "varsity good."
You aren't just showing up to run a few 40-yard dashes. Coaches like Aaron Best have built a culture here that’s centered around being "E-A-G-S." That’s not just some marketing slogan; it’s a specific brand of toughness. The camp experience at EWU is designed to filter out the noise and find the guys who can handle the heat—literally and figuratively.
What Actually Happens at the Eastern Washington Football Camp?
Most people think these camps are just about getting "discovered." That’s a mistake. While the recruiting aspect is massive, the Eastern Washington football camp is really an intensive laboratory for technique. If you're an offensive lineman, you're not just hitting sleds. You're learning the specific hand-placement drills that allowed EWU to produce NFL-caliber talent like Michael Roos.
The structure is usually split between individual skill work and competitive "one-on-ones." That's where the real evaluation happens. You’ll see a kid from a 1B school in rural Washington lining up against a 4A powerhouse starter from Vancouver or Seattle. It's the Great Equalizer. The coaches aren't just looking at the result of the play; they’re watching how you react after you get beat. Did you put your head down? Or did you sprint back to the front of the line to demand another rep? That stuff matters more than your jersey size.
The Eagles staff focuses heavily on the "process" over the "product." During the padded team camps, which are a staple of the summer in Cheney, entire high school rosters move into the dorms. It’s hot. The dorms aren't exactly five-star resorts. But that’s the point. It builds a kind of collective calloused ego. You eat in the dining hall, you sleep on those thin mattresses, and you spend eight hours a day on the "Inferno."
The "Inferno" Factor
We have to talk about the turf. It’s legendary. It’s also incredibly hot in July. When the sun hits that red surface, the temperature at ground level can feel ten degrees hotter than the air. It’s a physical test. You’ll see players constantly hydrating, trying to keep their feet from burning through their cleats. It sounds miserable, but there’s a psychological edge to it. If you can perform on the Inferno during an Eastern Washington football camp, you can play anywhere.
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Recruiting Reality: Is This Just a Money Grab?
Let’s be real for a second. Some college camps are just fundraisers. You pay 100 bucks, get a t-shirt, and never talk to a coach again. Eastern is a bit different because of their roster construction. They have to find diamonds in the rough. They don't have the recruiting budget of a Washington or an Oregon. They rely on these camps to find the "tweener"—the guy who’s maybe two inches too short for the Pac-12 (or whatever the conference landscape is this week) but has the motor to be an All-American in the Big Sky.
Cooper Kupp is the name everyone brings up, right? The guy had zero offers. He showed up, worked, and the rest is history. While not every kid is the next Triple Crown winner, the Eastern Washington football camp serves as the primary scouting ground for the coaching staff. They use these sessions to verify the film they’ve seen during the season.
- Verified Timing: Your high school coach might say you run a 4.5, but the EWU staff wants to see it on their watch.
- Coachability: They will intentionally give you a difficult instruction just to see if you can implement it on the next rep.
- Physicality: In the padded camps, they’re looking for "pop."
If you're a senior and you don't have an offer yet, this is arguably the most important three days of your life. But even for freshmen and sophomores, getting on the radar early is vital. The "database" is real. They keep notes. They track your growth from year to year.
Technical Nuance: The EWU Playbook Influence
One thing that sets the Eastern Washington football camp apart is how much of the actual EWU scheme trickles down into the drills. Eastern is known for a prolific, high-flying offense and a defense that’s "Code Red."
Quarterbacks at these camps aren't just throwing routes on air. They’re coached on specific Big Sky reads. Wide receivers are taught how to stack defenders—a hallmark of the EWU passing game. It’s an education. Even if you never play a down for the Eagles, you’re leaving with a higher football IQ.
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I’ve seen kids come back to their high school programs and completely change the way their local teams practice based on a few days in Cheney. The "prose" of the game is taught here. It's about the why, not just the how. Why do we take a six-inch power step instead of a full stride? Why does the safety look at the tackle's hat instead of the quarterback's eyes?
The Importance of Team Camps vs. Individual Camps
If you have the choice, which should you do? Individual "Showcase" camps are great for exposure and raw numbers. They’re flashy. You get your SPARQ-style testing and you go home.
The Eastern Washington football camp team sessions, however, are where the "dogs" are found. This is where you play actual scrimmages. Coaches get to see your football instinct. Can you find the hole when the play breaks down? Can you make a tackle in open space when you’re gassed in the 4th quarter of a scrimmage? For a lot of scouts, the individual camp is the "interview," but the team camp is the "probationary period." They want to see you work.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Experience
There’s a myth that you need to be a superstar to attend. Honestly? No. A huge chunk of the kids at the Eastern Washington football camp are there just to get better for their senior year of high school. It’s a developmental tool.
Another misconception is that it’s all about the stars. "If I’m not a three-star recruit, they won’t look at me." Wrong. Eastern loves the zero-star kid with a massive frame or a high motor. They pride themselves on development. They take the 220-pound defensive end and turn him into a 270-pound NFL prospect. If you show that raw physical potential at camp, you’re going to get attention, regardless of what the recruiting websites say.
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Logistics and Prep: Don't Be That Guy
Don't show up out of shape. The Cheney heat is unforgiving. If you spend the first day of Eastern Washington football camp puking behind the bleachers because you didn't do your conditioning in June, you've wasted your money.
- Hydrate a week out. Not the morning of. A week out.
- Break in your cleats. New cleats on the Inferno equal blisters. Big ones.
- Bring a notebook. Seriously. The stuff the coaches say in the film rooms is gold.
- Sunscreen. The red turf reflects. You will burn in places you didn't know could burn.
The Path Forward for Aspiring Players
If you’re serious about the Eastern Washington football camp, you need a plan. Don’t just show up and hope for the best. Contact the recruiting coordinator beforehand. Let them know you’ll be there. Give them your HUDL link. This ensures that when you step onto the field, there’s already a pair of eyes looking for your jersey number.
After the camp, follow up. Send a "thank you" to the position coach who worked with you. Ask for one specific thing you can improve on. This isn't just about being polite; it’s about staying top-of-mind. Coaches see thousands of kids. Be the one who was professional.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your current film: Before signing up, ensure you have at least 3-4 minutes of high-quality highlights to share with the staff during the registration process.
- Focus on the "Big Three" lifts: EWU prizes functional strength. Focus on your squat, clean, and bench in the months leading up to July.
- Register early: The team camps often sell out by late spring because local high schools book them in blocks.
- Check the NCAA Eligibility Center: If you're a junior or senior, make sure your academics are in order. The best camp performance in the world doesn't matter if you aren't academically eligible.
Attending the Eastern Washington football camp is a commitment to seeing where you stand in the hierarchy of Northwest football. It’s intense, it’s sweaty, and it’s arguably the best way to get a real look from a Division I coaching staff. Whether you leave with an offer or just a better understanding of the game, the "Inferno" has a way of showing you exactly who you are as a player.