Football – Gridiron Showcase Clinic in Long Branch June 25-26

Football players from around New Jersey will have a chance to gain valuable instruction by over 20 college coaches and 10 former and current professionals at the Second Annual Gridiron Showcase this weekend at Long Branch High School.

On Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26, athletes from seventh grade through high school will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of several coaches from FCS, Division II and Division III programs. Programs in attendance will include Albright, Bowdoin, Columbia, Cornell, Delaware Valley, Florida Atlantic, Hamilton, Kean, Lafayette, Misericordia, Monmouth, Muhlenberg, Pace, SUNY Maritime, The College of New Jersey, Albany and Worcester Polytechnic University. High school coaches from Colts Neck, Middletown South, New Milford and Tottenville (Staten Island) will also be in attendance.

NFL talent that will be in attendance includes three-time Super Bowl Champion Dan Klecko a Marlboro graduate; Super Bowl Champion Darian Barnes, the former Toms River North star and current Colts Neck head coach; current Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison, current Tennessee Titans guard Josue Matias, current Detroit Lions fullback Mike Burton, former first-round draft pick Blair Thomas, veteran defensive back Aaron Beasley, former Rutgers and Don Bosco Prep quarterback Gary Nova and guard Dave Yovanovitz.

“The Gridiron Showcase is the best high school football camp I have been a part of”, said Klecko in a press release provided by Gridiron Showcase. “I have never seen a camp that has such a high level of instruction from a large variety of college coaches as well as former NFL players. I wish the Gridiron Showcase was around when I was in high school!”

The Gridiron Showcase had 200 athletes and 20 colleges present during its inaugural event last season. They expect upward of 250 players this year with a 10-1 player-to-coach ration.

Manasquan High School Hall of Famer Donny Klein is the Executive Director of the Gridiron Showcase. A former Arena Bowl Champion and four-year starter at Temple as an offensive lineman, Klein is currently an assistant coach for Manasquan's football and lacrosse teams.

“I’m really excited for the showcase this year,” said Klein. “Every year we are able to grow, we are able to afford these athletes with potential opportunities in higher education. I’m proud to have grown the college interest and be able to afford these type of opportunities. There isn’t anything like it around this area.”

More information can be found at www.gridironshowcase.com

Football editor Bob Badders can be reached at badders@allshoremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.