You’ve seen the clips on Instagram. A wide receiver pulls off a gravity-defying one-handed snag, the sidelines erupt, and suddenly there’s a graphic with a giant UA logo plastered over his highlight reel. It looks like a party. It looks like a photoshoot.
Honestly? It's a meat grinder.
The Under Armour Next Camp series has become the gatekeeper for elite high school athletics in America. If you aren't on that field, you basically don't exist to some of the biggest scouts in the country. But there is a massive gap between what people think happens at these camps and the reality of standing on that turf in 100-degree heat while a former NFL pro screams at you to fix your footwork.
The Myth of the "Easy" Invite
Most parents think you just sign up. You don't. While the middle school camps have opened up a bit more to public registration lately, the high school Under Armour Next Camp circuit is a different beast entirely. It’s invite-only.
How do you get in? You've gotta be on the "Watchlist."
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Under Armour’s scouting team, often in partnership with groups like UC Report, spends the entire off-season watching film. They aren't just looking for the kid who runs a fast 40. They want "athletic intelligence." We’re talking about players like Felix Ojo, a 2026 offensive tackle who recently walked into the Dallas camp and physically overwhelmed everyone in his path. He didn't just get an invite; he walked away with a ticket to the All-America Game in Orlando.
If you’re sitting at home waiting for an email that never comes, you’re likely missing the data. These camps aren't just about "looking good." They are about verified numbers. When you show up, the first thing they do is measure your wingspan, your hand size, and your reach. They want to see if your frame can actually hold the weight a D1 program is going to put on you.
Why 2026 is the Year Everything Changed
The 2026 schedule is already moving at a breakneck pace. We’ve seen dates pop up everywhere from Orlando to Los Angeles. Here is a quick look at where the circuit is hitting this year:
- February 22: Orlando, FL (The season opener is always electric)
- March 1: Dallas, TX (Where the big linemen usually show out)
- March 15: Atlanta, GA (Arguably the most competitive stop)
- April 12: Los Angeles, CA
- May 31: Baltimore, MD (The backyard of UA headquarters)
The shift this year is the integration of Women’s Flag Football. It’s not a sideshow anymore. Under Armour is putting serious resources behind girls' flag, with dedicated camp dates in Dallas and Phoenix. They brought in Diana Flores—basically the face of the sport—to help lead the charge. It’s a smart move. Flag is exploding, and UA wants to own the "Next" generation of that talent too.
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What Actually Happens on the Field
Forget the drills you do with your local trainer. At an Under Armour Next Camp, the coaching is often handled by guys who have actually played on Sundays.
The day usually breaks down into three phases:
- The Testing: This is the boring part, but it's the most important for your recruiting profile. 40-yard dash, pro shuttle, vertical jump. If you lie on your Twitter bio about being 6'2" and you measure in at 5'11", the scouts note it.
- Positionals: This is pure skill work. If you’re a QB, they aren't just checking your arm strength; they’re watching how you reset your feet after a pressured drop.
- One-on-Ones: This is why people show up. This is where the 247Sports and Rivals scouts have their phones out.
I watched a rep last year where a five-star defensive end, DJ Jacobs, went up against a high-tier tackle. Jacobs didn't just win; he used a dip-and-rip move that looked like something out of a Madden glitch. That single 4-second clip probably earned him another three scholarship offers by the time he got to the parking lot.
The "Hidden" Value: The Recruiting Seminar
One thing nobody talks about is what happens inside the tents. Under Armour brings in experts to talk to these kids about personal branding and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness).
It’s sorta weird to see 16-year-olds learning about tax implications and logo design, but that's the world we live in now. They teach these athletes that their social media is a resume. A "bad" tweet can cost you an invite just as fast as a slow 40 time.
Is it Worth the Hype?
Look, there are a million camps. You’ve got Rivals, you’ve got Nike’s The Opening (which has seen better days), and you’ve got a thousand "pro-style" showcases that are basically just money grabs.
What makes Under Armour Next Camp different is the "All-America" carrot.
If you dominate here, you get to play in Orlando on national television. You get the jersey. You get the swag. But more importantly, you get the stamp of approval. When a college coach sees "UA Next Alum" on a profile, they know that kid has been vetted against the best of the best.
It’s also about the "Future 50." This is a smaller, even more exclusive group of underclassmen invited to IMG Academy in Florida. It’s the top of the pyramid. Names like Peyton Houston and Johnathan Hatton Jr. have used these platforms to cement themselves as the "next" big things before they even have a driver’s license.
The Gritty Reality
Don't go to these camps expecting a trophy for participating.
I’ve seen kids travel five states over, pay for a hotel, wait in line for two hours, and then get absolutely toasted in one-on-ones. It’s humbling. It’s supposed to be. If you can’t handle a 6'4" linebacker from Georgia press-covering you into the dirt at a camp, you aren't going to handle it in the SEC.
The competition is suffocating. In Atlanta, you might have 30 different four-star recruits at the same position. You might only get four reps in the one-on-one period. You have to make them count. There is no "warm-up."
How to Prepare for Your Shot
If you're lucky enough to get that "Nominate" button to turn into an "Invite," you can't just show up and wing it.
First, get your "numbers" right before you go. Don't let the camp be the first time you've run a timed 40 in six months. Use a laser timer if you can. Second, work on your "hand fighting." In these camp settings, referees are loose. It’s physical. If you’re a receiver and you’re soft off the line, you will get erased.
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Lastly, and this is huge: Don't chase the camera. The kids who spend the whole time looking for the guy with the Nikon usually perform the worst. The scouts want to see the "dog" in you. They want the kid who loses a rep and immediately runs to the front of the line to demand a rematch. That "relentless" attitude—as UA calls it—is what actually gets you the All-America invite.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Athletes
- Update Your Tape: Ensure your Hudl or highlight reel has your most recent games at the very beginning. Scouts won't scroll through ten minutes of footage.
- Verified Data: Attend a "Combine Tour" event if you aren't high-profile enough for a direct camp invite yet. These are open-registration and the data goes to the same scouts.
- Check the 2026 Calendar: Locations like St. Louis and New Orleans often have slightly shorter waitlists than the "megacenters" like Atlanta or Dallas.
- Follow the Staff: Connect with the UC Report and UA Next regional scouts on social media. They often post "last call" opportunities for specific positions.