Future 50 Cranks Up the Preseason Heat
While the start of summer might mean the offseason for some, for hungry team sports athletes, it’s the perfect time to take their game to the next level. Enter UA Next – a unique set of camps and experiences designed to help youth athletes unlock the best version of themselves through elite coaching and competition.
Future 50 – powered by UA Next – gathered 50 of the best high school football players at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for a jam-packed weekend of instruction and coaching from a standout roster of NFL coaches and athletes. Each of the athletes at Future 50 was handpicked for the camp, not only for their dynamic on-field skills but for their hunger for personal growth and unparalleled commitment to their teams. As the ultimate team players, these athletes showcased the Protect This House mentality by putting it all on the line for their teammates in order to succeed as one.
“Future 50 is our way of elevating the best of the best in football as their high school careers come to an end and they look ahead to their collegiate chapters,” said Trey Evans, Director, Team Sports at Under Armour. “All these athletes have such a bright future ahead and we’re honored to be part of their journey to compete.”
The Weekend At-a-Glance
Some of the nation’s top prospects on the gridiron joined UA for an intense two-day experience, including strength, speed, and mental sessions, along with ample time for recovery and reflection.
On Friday, the group arrived at The Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy where they were fitted for gear before taking part in their first round of drills. Shortly after, they engaged in an intimate conversation with NFL athletes Justin Jefferson and Kyle Hamilton and University of Alabama’s Tyler Booker, where they shared advice around knowing who your people are, staying consistent on and off the field, and keeping your eye on the NFL so you don’t get distracted by things like money and fame. Later that evening, the athletes had the opportunity to unwind when The Hoop Bus showed up and they were given the chance to prove if they could hoop on the court as well as they could hustle on the gridiron during a competitive 3-point contest.
On Saturday, the athletes were back to the grind, getting into the meat of their training with three hours of strength, speed, and mental session rotations. This was followed by three hours of recovery, allowing athletes to take advantage of state-of-the-art equipment and manual therapy. The weekend culminated with an interactive DJ booth space where they could choose the best beats to amp them up for their final on-field competitions including the 7-on-7 game and Big Man 1-on-1s before closing out the weekend with ceremonial awards.
Elite Coaching & Mentoring
For young athletes early in their athletic careers, having access to the right coaches and mentors is equally as important as developing on-field skills. That’s why Under Armour brought in a squad of NFL coaches and athletes who know firsthand what it takes to get to that next level on the field and how to maximize the reach and productivity of their platforms as athletes off the field.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and UA athlete Justin Jefferson has been in all these players’ shoes before. Justin knows firsthand what it’s like to use your haters as motivators, and just like Under Armour, he values the underdog mentality. That, paired with his shared commitment to bringing equity to the game of football, is what initially led Justin to sign with Under Armour in 2020 while gearing up for his rookie season in the NFL and navigating training during a pandemic. Now entering his third season as arguably the best wide receiver in the league, he armed these youth athletes with exceptional insights, strategies, and advice on ways to elevate their game during workshops, workouts, and 1:1 conversations.
“Future 50 is my chance to give back to the game. At the end of the day, it’s all about showing love to the kids and making sure they have what they need to get better and take their game to the next level,” said Justin Jefferson, UA Athlete and Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver. “Not a lot of people have that person in their life that motivates them to get better, so I wanted to be that person – and Under Armour has made that possible through programs like UA Next.”
“IT’S ALL ABOUT SHOWING LOVE TO THE KIDS AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO GET BETTER AND TAKE THEIR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL.”
Justin Jefferson, UA Athlete and Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver
Coaching alongside Justin was Tyler Booker, the University of Alabama offensive tackle and Future 50 alumni. A top prospect coming out of Future 50 in 2021, Tyler spent three years honing his skills at IMG Academy before committing to the University of Alabama as ESPN’s top-ranked offensive tackle in the class of 2022.
Tyler has experienced firsthand the power of UA Next and programs like Future 50 and the role they play in the development of up-and-coming players, which is why he decided to return this year as a coach. Earlier this Spring, Tyler brought the UA Next program to his hometown, where he hosted his first football camp and shared the positive impact the program has had on his physical and mental development throughout his journey to compete.
“Over the years, UA Next sparked a passion in me to use my platform as an athlete to support other young athletes early in their football careers and help create change for my community,” said Tyler Booker, the University of Alabama Offensive Tackle. “This past May, I hosted my very own UA Next-inspired camp, called the Tyler Booker Football Camp, in my hometown of New Haven, Conn. – it was surreal to be able to give back to the community that raised me and impart my wisdom on the next generation of football players.”
“OVER THE YEARS, UA NEXT SPARKED A PASSION IN ME TO USE MY PLATFORM AS AN ATHLETE TO SUPPORT OTHER YOUNG ATHLETES EARLY IN THEIR FOOTBALL CAREERS.”
Tyler Booker, University of Alabama Offensive Tackle & UA Next Alum
Additional UA athletes and NFL coaches – such as Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and two-time Super Bowl champion Torrey Smith – guided and mentored the next generation of athletes throughout the weekend, arming the group with the resources they need to succeed on the field and beyond.
Rooted in Innovation
Under Armour outfitted the group from head to toe, providing them with the performance solutions needed to up their game. From lightweight cleats with superior comfort to joggers and slides, the athletes competed and recovered in style.
On the field, the group put the UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC Football Cleats to the test – these are some of the fastest cleats out there, giving the athletes an edge so they can dominate every inch of the field. Off the field, they sported the matching UA Unstoppable Jacket and UA Unstoppable Joggers set, with the UA ArmourVent Warrior Bucket 2.0 Hat completing their looks. Throughout the weekend, athletes rocked the UA SlipSpeed, a shoe created from athlete insights, tested at various UA Next programs and designed to allow athletes to go from performance training to recovery mode with a convertible heel design.
To learn more about Future 50 and UA Next programming, check out: https://underarmournext.com/football/future-50/.
