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ARLINGTON – Elgin High School varsity football was represented over the weekend as junior defensive back Noddyn Bailey attended the Junior Day Football National Showcase camp on July 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Athletes in attendance were evaluated by coaches from colleges such as Bowie State University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Mount Saint Joseph University, Lincoln University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Ottawa University Arizona, Rocky Mountain College, Texas Lutheran University, Texas Wesleyan University and Western Connecticut State University.
It featured college head coaches, coordinators and top assistants who made sure that each college program properly evaluated all football players in attendance.
Players from 44 states were in attendance over the weekend at the camp and were divided into teams for 7-on-7 scrimmages against one another. Bailey and his fellow players from across the United States were also evaluated in measurable skills like the 40-yard dash, broad jump and other metrics on Sunday.
“I played well enough to make the post-game interviews,” Bailey said. “I tried to make sure I played with a lot of energy this weekend.”
Bailey said he tries to emulate his game at cornerback similar to some of his favorite NFL defensive players.
“I watch a lot of Tariq Woolen, Keith Taylor and Sauce Gardner,” Bailey said. “I try to mirror my game and technique after some of the taller guys in the league over people like Jalen Ramsey because I know being bigger and not as fast I have to play a little differently.”
The 6-foot-4 Bailey is going to be a major piece again for Wildcats football in 2023 under head coach Heath Clawson at cornerback, even be moved over to safety and wide receiver on offense. In 2022 as just a sophomore, Bailey had 29 tackles and also broke up two passes. Expect those numbers to be even better this upcoming season as Bailey continues to improve on the field.
