Renton football player Elijah Clayton has been selected to attend USA Football’s National Team Development Games this month in College Station, Texas. The event is July 14 through July 19 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
Clayton will be one of more than 180 high school athletes participating in this event, joining an elite group of football players from across the United States. A linebacker and quarterback with the Renton Indians, Clayton will have the opportunity to earn a roster spot on the U.S. National Team that will compete against Canada in the International Bowl.
The U.S. National Development Games are not considered an all-star event by the NCAA or NFHS as they serve as the key evaluation event for the national team selection. The program was built to allow the best athletes across the county to compete on the field in order to gain exposure, develop their skills and fundamentals and compete for a spot on the U.S. National Team.
U.S. National Team participants are chosen based on talent and character. Players will compete in a 7-on-7 tournament, jamboree and full length games. Players will learn USA Football’s Heads Up Football player health and safety curriculum featuring proper equipment fitting, concussion education, heat preparedness and hydration education and proper tackling techniques.
USA Football scouts will evaluate the talent and ultimately build the U.S. National Team rosters. Scouts will also compile a list of top prospects from each event that will be distributed to every college football program in the country.
Because this is a national team event, current NCAA coaches are granted permission from the NCAA to serve as instructors at the National Development Games. This provides an excellent opportunity for the athletes in attendance to work first hand with college coaches as well as former NFL players and top area high school coaches.