By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

COLUMBIANA — Some of the NFL’s brightest stars will come to Columbiana July 10 for the inaugural Youth Football Camp.

The camp, which is put on by former UAB and Arena Football League cornerback Will Evans, is designed to teach players of all ages the fundamentals of the game.

Evans said the idea for the camp came from his desire to help his church, The Harvest Place Christian Church, as well as teach the game he loves.

“The church I’m attending is trying to raise money to build a new sanctuary,” he said. “All the money is going straight to the church.”

Evans said he felt the need to host a football camp after seeing what he felt was a lack of emphasis on certain parts of the game.

“I work out with some kids around here, and I’m finding out they’re not getting the knowledge they need,” he said. “I was told by kids they don’t have the basic position fundamental drills. I got that from high school to Arena.”

Evans said in his experiences, whether at Jeff Davis High in Montgomery or with the Grand Rapids Rampage of the AFL, players who knew fundamentals rose to the top.

“You can put a guy out (on the field) on natural talent,” he said. “But in 10 weeks, fundamentals will pick that apart.”

To help lead the camp, Adams enlisted several of his friends. They include Joe Webb of the Minnesota Vikings, Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons and Earl Bennett of the Chicago Bears.

Evans said he wanted to have the best teachers available for campers.

“I’m trying to get Tavaris Jackson (former Seattle Seahawks quarterback) and LaRon Landry (of the Indianapolis Colts),” he said. “I’ve got some other guys from my church. We’re going to have someone form each position that at least played college ball.”
The cost of the camp, which will be from 8 a.m.-1p.m., is $60 for Birmingham area attendees, $50 for Montgomery area attendees and $40 for those coming from Mobile.

For more information, contact Evans at will.evans3@yahoo.com