In the wake of nationwide postponements, recruiting and player evaluation have gone virtual. And elite camps like Elite 11 and The Opening have pivoted to video uploads instead of in-person camps.
“With 17 states not having a high school football season in the fall,” explains Elite 11 president, Brian Stumpf, “(GMTM) becomes really the only way for those prospects to put additional film in front of college staffs before National Signing Day.”
Stumpf has quietly become one of the most influential people in football through his camps, offering many the first glimpse of future Heisman finalists. He explains that every college staff is looking for the best alternatives to camps and visits since recruiting restrictions are still in place by the NCAA.
As a result, Stumpf decided to move his camps - and their thousands of athletes - online when GMTM approached them about a Digital Combine.
GMTM, the recruiting platform that launched The GMTM Virtual last April, has slowly been building out digital events for players to upload workouts and be seen exclusively by college coaches and camp directors. GMTM offers players the ability to upload videos from dozens of drills for coaches to see more than just game film.
Elite 11 and Dick’s Sporting Goods became their newest partners in late July, launching two digital combines where quarterbacks and position players can submit an entire Pro-Day workout.
“Our combine on GMTM is providing an opportunity for the recruits to get in front of more staffs,” adds Stumpf, “in terms of the drills and movements they would typically want to see from prospects in-person.” Stumpf says that this type of digital combine could change how players are evaluated, allowing position coaches to ask prospects to perform specific things and see hundreds of videos without leaving their office.
As we have heard from fans late this offseason, nothing can replace seeing live football played in front of you. But, as the world becomes more connected, Stumpf believes a digital platform like GMTM will be an integral part of the evaluation process and provide a guide to prospects of what the college coaches want to see.
