National Media & Showcase Platform

11th Annual National Middle Lineman Challenge at University of Miami

Comments Off on 11th Annual National Middle Lineman Challenge at University of Miami11.1k
11th Annual National Middle Lineman Challenge at University of Miami

When

06/12/2025 - 06/13/2025    
All Day
Download ICS Google Calendar iCalendar Office 365 Outlook Live

Bookings

$350.00
Book Now

Event Type


It’s time for the nation’s largest platform for Middle School athletes in the country looking to compete in high school to gain college scholarships and play at the Division I level.

The 11th National Middle Lineman Challenge presented by Football Hotbed is hosting its annual event and we couldn’t be more excited about our annual gathering on one of the nation’s largest exposure platforms, Football Hotbed dot com. It all started with our Future 4 quarterback competition in 2015 and expanded to include skill players and competition on a college campus in 2016 at the University of Miami. In 2017, with the addition of the 8th-grade class of 2021, the event was now complete and included every athlete on the field (except specialists) as linemen were added to the two-day showcase camp. There is no other camp like it in the country.

What makes our event special is getting middle school kids to work out in front of college coaches without older prospects around. The focus is solely on them and allows their talents to take center stage.  Because National Middle School Invitational Showcase participants come from all over the country, being elite on this platform can come with a boatload of opportunities afterward.

This year we will be hosting our camp in the indoor training facility at the University of Miami and we’ll spend the second day in the shadow of Hard Rock Stadium at a local community center.  Day 1 will be in Coral Gables, FL on June 12, 2025 beginning at 9 AM at the University of Miami on day one and the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens, FL on day two on June 13, 2025.  

This event has launched dozens of careers and provided college football resumes for some top names. The first year of the national Lineman challenge produced current NFL prospect Vincet Murphy of Tulane via South Carolina and Western Kentucky. He received a camp invite by the Chicago Bears in April of 2025.

In addition, a very cool thing took place in this April’s draft, two National Middle School Challenge bloodline members were taken back-to-back!  Aeneas Peebles (Durham, NC) of Virginia Tech via Duke, who participated in the 2nd Annual National Showcase was taken with the 210th pick by the Balitmore Ravens and Texas Longhorn offensive guard Hayden Conner was taken with the 211th pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Conner was a participant in the 3rd Annual National Lineman Challenge, the first year it was held at the University of Miami in tandem with the National Middle School Invitational Showcase.

Here’s more on Peebles, who starred at Duke before transferring to Virgina Tech in his final year of eligibility. Overall, he tallied 31 tackles (11 solo), including 6.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks … registered three pass breakups and four QB hurries … earned a 90.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus … led all ACC defensive tackles and ranked fifth in the nation at his position with 35 pressures … had a season high five tackles at Vanderbilt (Aug. 31) and again vs. Rutgers (Sept. 21) … named All-ACC First Team

Hayden Conner (Katy, TX), a National Middle School Lineman Challenge bloodline member was drafted in the 6th Round by the Arizona Cardinals.  Earlier this year in January, he played in his second consecutive College Football Playoff. Connor helped lead his team to a one-loss regular season and a College Football Playoff birth in 2023 and another stellar record in 2024. Hayden was offered by then University of Miami head coach Mark Richt after his performance at the National Middle School Lineman Challenge. It was his first division I offer in 8th grade. Click here to see the article coverage.

What the National Middle School Invitational Showcase has meant to so many is truly incredible.

Other Division I players from the National Middle School Lineman Challenge include but are not limited to Ge’Mon Eaford (Oregon), Kail Ellis (Auburn), Kaden Ellis (App State), Brayden Jacobs (Clemson) and many others.

Your OFFICIAL invitation serves as an ‘offer of invitation’.  

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

The same way college offers work. They are committable as long as your spot is available.  To accept your offer, pay your registration fees to attend the event. If the offer is not accepted, the spot in the competition will be offered to other deserving athletes.  Space is limited and once the numbers are reached, the competition will be closed, even for athletes who have previously been offered invitations.

  • TO REGISTER scroll down below…
  • All payments must be complete by June 1, 2025 afterward increase fees may apply.
  • There are NO REFUNDS. Please be sure to check the dates, time off from work and school, and other events before accepting an invite and registering to attend. Be mindful that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and there are only credits applied toward future events if you cannot attend due to illness or injury.
  • Travel, Meals, and Lodging is the responsibility of every family to provide these for each attendee. 
  • Each athlete must be accompanied by an adult 25+ of age.
  • For more information, email us at info@footballhotbed.com or call 1-888-879-3396

MEDIA

Here’s a look back at that first-ever, competition.  

This is what a day at the Future 4 looks like…

Day 2 is always at a local HS to complete the competition and crown the champions and MVPs

FRIST EVER NATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL LINEMAN CHALLENGE

PLEASE NOTE: There are no refunds under any circumstances.  In the instance where you cannot attend an event, a credit toward a future Football Hotbed event will be offered with notice at least two weeks before the event takes place.

 

Thursday, June 12, 2025
EVENT DAY 1 & EXPERIENCE University of Miami
9 AM Check-in
11:30 AM Experience ‘The U’
12:15 PM Break for Lunch on your own
2:15 PM Day 1 on-field activity begins
4:45 PM Day 1 concludes 
5 PM Dismissal
Friday, June 13, 2025
EVENT DAY 2 & CHAMPIONSHIP DAY- Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Center, Miami Gardens, FL
10 AM Check-in (EACH ATHLETE CHECKS IN FOR COMPETITION DAY 2)
10:30 AM Day 2 Competition Begins
2 PM Dismissal & Awards

 

Bookings

Tickets

Ticket Type Price Spaces
2029 Lineman (OL or DL) $350.00
2030 Lineman (OL or DL) $350.00
2031 Lineman (OL or DL) $350.00

Registration Information

Mother
Father
Relative
Coach
Other


Booking Summary

Please select at least one space to proceed with your booking.

Share
11th Annual National Middle School Invitational Showcase & at University of Miami Previous post

Related Articles

High School FootballHotbed WorldRecruitingTexas May 17, 20180

Rising Stars in Texas High School Football: DB Edition

Follow The Lone Star State has solidified itself as one of the premier football hotbeds…

CaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaLouisianaMaryland January 5, 20170

Day One Recap: Middle School All-American Game

Follow Ft. Lauderdale, FL– The 2016 Middle School All-American game presented by Football Hotbed got…

Brandon OdoiCollege Football May 3, 20250

Six Hotbed World Showcase Alumni Drafted

Follow Green Bay, WI- This April’s 2025 NFL Draft was an amazing experience for many student-athletes who spent time on the Football Hotbed Showcase Platform in either middle school or high school. It was a time to finally fulfil a dream and hear their names called. Overall, six student-athletes who had affiliation with this platform were drafted.  This year’s highest Hotbed World pick was taken in the 2nd Round as Jayden Higgins (Miami, FL) who attended Iowa State was taken with the 34th pick of the draft by the Houston Texans. Higgins was a participant in the National High School Showcases, Junior game during his time in high school with the graduating class of 2021. The elite wide receiver began his college career at Eastern Kentucy (FCS) and then went to Iowa State in the transfer portal where he spent the final two years of his career.  While in Ames, he put up great statistics during his time, finishing his career among the school’s single-season leaders with 87 receptions (2nd all-time) for 1,183 yards (3rd) and nine touchdowns (T-2nd) … ranked 10th nationally in receiving yards, 14th in receptions per game (6.7) and 20th in receiving TDs. In the 5th round, Jalen Rivers, an offensive lineman at the University of Miami was selected by the Cincinnati Bengles.  Rivers was a participant in the first ever Middle School All-American game in his hometown of Jacksonville, FL. The game was played at Bolles High School, and he played Offensive lineman in the 7th grade All-American game.  Rivers was a plug-and-play starter at Miami, being a big part of the reason the team went 10-2 in his final season. Rivers was joined in the fifth round by Elijah Roberts of Southern Methodist University who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Roberts, a defensive tackle out of Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School, began his career at the University of Miami with Rivers but later transferred to SMU where he collected 10 sacks in his junior campaign.  Roberts was a participant in the 3rd Annual National High School Showcases, Junior game during his time in high school with the graduating class of 2020. In the 6th Round, Andy Borregales, of the University of Miami was selected with pick 182 by the New England Patriots. Borregales was the first ever MVP of the National Specialist Showcase held by Football Hotbed for three seasons beginning in his 8th grade year. Borregales was a Groza semi-finalist his senior year and left Miami as the school’s overall points leader, a record that will likely stand for quite some time as he was the starting kicker for four consecutive years following his brother Jose.  In addition, a very cool thing took place in this April’s draft, two National Middle School Challenge bloodline members were taken back-to-back!  Aeneas Peebles (Durham, NC) of Virginia Tech via Duke, who participated in the 2nd Annual National Showcase was taken with the 210th pick by the Balitmore Ravens and Texas Longhorn offensive guard Hayden Conner was taken with the 211th pick by the Arizona Cardinals. Conner was a participant in the 3rd Annual National Lineman Challenge, the first year it was held at the University of Miami in tandem with the National Middle School Invitational Showcase.Here’s more on Peebles, who starred at Duke before transferring to Virgina Tech in his final year of eligibility. Overall, he tallied 31 tackles (11 solo), including 6.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks … registered three pass breakups and four QB hurries … earned a 90.3 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus … led all ACC defensive tackles and ranked fifth in the nation at his position with 35 pressures … had a season high five tackles at Vanderbilt (Aug. 31) and again vs. Rutgers (Sept. 21) … named All-ACC First Team Hayden Conner (Katy, TX), a National Middle School Lineman Challenge bloodline member was drafted in the 6th Round by the Arizona Cardinals.  Earlier this year in January, he played in his second consecutive College Football Playoff. Connor helped lead his team to a one-loss regular season and a College Football Playoff birth in 2023 and another stellar record in 2024. Hayden was offered by then University of Miami head coach Mark Richt after his performance at the National Middle School Lineman Challenge. It was his first division I offer in 8th grade. 2024 NFL Draft - Hotbed world alumni 2023 NFL Draft - Hotbed World Alumni

College Football April 9, 20250

FIU Spring Game Boasts New Energy, Improved Feel

Follow Miami, FL-The Florida International University football program played their first spring football game intra-squad scrimmage Saturday under first year head coach, Willie Simmons. The game was a defensive battle, ending in a 7-2 win for team Navy. There were several stand out defensive performances including a two-interception day for defensive back, Victor Evans II.  Overall, the day was marked with increased excitement and energy as the Simmons era of FIU football officially got under way.  “Football’s fun again,” Keegan Davis said with a smile on his face after the spring scrimmage.We’re bringing back that swagger, that 3-0-5- mindset. “Our mentality is, see ball, get ball. We just play our gaps and do whatever is expected of us.”There were over a thousand people in attendance at the spring scrimmage, a bustling crowd for a very fickle fan base that has only seen one season of .500 since football began in the early 2000s. Coach Simmons history of winning has many Miami area fans excited about the teams prospects this spring.  Things get rolling on August 29th at home again Bethune Cookman. Kickoff is a 7 p.m.

feature February 21, 20250

2027: Lynch and Smith Lead Team Red Over Team White

Follow Duluth, GA— Spartanburg, South Carolina’s 2027 running back Trenton Lynch ran for two touchdowns and Miami Gardens, Florida native, Angelo Smith of Chaminade Madonna High School added a pick-six touchdown and a late pass deflection to give Team Red a narrow victory in the 9th Annual National High School Showcase Sophomore game. The final score was 22-18.Team White, led by defensive MVP, Ayden Montgomery and running back Kareem Shaw, teammates at Gaffney High in Easley, South Carolina, came within a late touchdown of winning the game.With under a minute left on second and goal, Team White quarterback Julian Ayala, escaped the pocket looking for wideout James Klaiss who was open in the endzone, but the pass was batted down by McEachern High School’s Freedom Jones an athlete that made plays at four different positions during the game.One third down, Ayala tried to find Gerald Hunter of Atlanta’s Mays High School but the pass was broken up by Angelo Smith. On the final play of the game, 4th and goal, Ayala was sacked by Miami Edison’s Edge Rusher Derrick Miller as the clock expired.  Miller took home lineman MVP honors on the afternoon.Game standouts include the following:–Freedom Jones (QB) the McEachern High School athlete played amazingly all game. Before he entered the game at QB in the fourth quarter, Jones did a ton of damage at EDGE with sacks and batted down passes. He was violent defender.  His 65- yard rushing TD at QB was called back due to a holding call behind the play and he also caught a pass at wide receiver. Overall, he has one of the most impressive games in Football Hotbed All-star history after film review. –Trenton Lynch (RB) is perhaps the biggest prospect coming out of this game. He was offered by Georgia State University on our Sunday college visit to their campus and has great sophomore film. Linked here. Overall, he was impressive all game as he was a load to bring down and displayed home run hitting speed. -Brookwood High School’s Kaiden McKenzie (OL/DL) had the most impressive game overall as a lineman on both sides of the ball. –Angelo Smith (DB) of South Florida powerhouse Chaminade Madonna had a very complete game. He had two catches on offense, three PBUs on defense and a interception for a touchdown. –Ayden Montgomery (WR) made an in-game switch to H-back and punished the Team Red defense in the air and added a TD reception.–Kareem Shaw (RB) ran the ball well and caught a touchdown pass. He played excellent on defense also. Helped Team White amass five turnovers, helping to keep the game close.–Keyon’Dre Wright (DB) had his second consecutive Football Hotbed Showcase game with an INT.  He secured one of Team White’s five turnovers this year and last year he caught a pick in the Freshman All-American Game.–Ethan Albertson (LB) the suburban Chicago defender had a sack-fumble than he eventually ran down the field 10 yards to recover for a Team White touchdown. –Gerald Hunter (DB) added an interception for Team White.–Immanuel Simmons (DB) added an interception for Team Red along with two PBUs.  watch the game: 2027 sophomore showcase GAME PHOTOS Freedom jones, qb/ath, powder springs, ga Overall, he has one of the most impressive games in Football Hotbed All-star history after film review.  Trenton lynch, rb, spartanburg, sc Overall, he was impressive all game as he was a load to bring down and displayed home run hitting speed.  Kaiden mckenzie, Ol/dl, snellville, ga Most impressive lineman overall Ethan albertson, lb, lake in the hills, il Had one of the most impressive plays of the game. A forced fumble, recovered for a TD. Angelo smith, db/wr, Miami gardens, fl Angelo Smith will be a big time recruit at safety and shows great potential as a slot WR also. Keyon'dre wright, db, hubert, nc Wright grabs his second consecutive INT in a Hotbed Showcase ayden montgomery, ATH, easley, sc