2024 Recap: Wise Big Man Camp for O-Line & D-Line
The 2024 Wise Big Man Camp, held on June 29th at Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, was an exceptional event dedicated to enhancing the skills and prospects of offensive and defensive linemen. This annual camp, organized by the Wise Up Foundation, brought together top-tier coaching from professional athletes, high school coaches, and dedicated volunteers. Participants had the opportunity to improve their game, gain valuable insights into recruiting, and enjoy a day filled with camaraderie and rigorous training.
Preparing for the Campers
The success of the Wise Big Man Camp was made possible by the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers, including parents, coaches, and medical staff. These volunteers assisted with concessions and the check-in process, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Photographers captured the day's activities, providing lasting memories for the participants.
Linemen Focused Camp
Deatrich Wise Jr. observes defensive players Kason Kennedy & Zyan Luckey’s technique during the punch, peak, release lineman drill.
Athletes Check-In
The day began with a heartfelt prayer by the camp staff, setting a positive tone for the event. Check-in commenced at 8 am, with players greeted by enthusiastic staff members who guided them through the process. Each camper received a custom t-shirt, a Nike backpack, and a blue Wise Big Man towel. A nutritious breakfast was also provided to ensure the athletes were fueled for the day's activities.
Player Profiles
Before hitting the field, players participated in the creation of their Big Man player profiles, expertly photographed by Kevin Owens Photography. These profiles, soon to be available on the Wise Big Man Camp website, include vital statistics such as height, weight, and hand size, meticulously measured by the camp staff.
The Warm-Up
Once measurements were complete, players proceeded to the field for stretching and calisthenics, led by veteran coach Cee. The warm-up session included a variety of exercises designed to prepare the athletes for the day's drills. Following the warm-up, Deatrich Wise shared the daily game plan with the participants.
The Drill
Coach Deatrich Wise Jr. Coaching players up in the hit, peak, release drill.
The camp participants were divided into six groups, separating offensive linemen from defensive linemen. Drills were conducted under the guidance of distinguished coaches, including DL Deatrich Wise Jr. and OL Calvin Anderson from the New England Patriots, DL Daniel Wise from the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL), and returning big man coaches Seth McBride, Dustin Stanton, Will Hopkins Texas High School Football Coach These sessions provided invaluable hands-on experience and personalized coaching.
Daniel Wise
Showing defensive players key tips to keeping a proper stance pre-snap at the 2024 Wise Big Man Camp.
1-on-1s
A highlight of the camp was the 1-on-1 sessions, where top athletes from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond competed against one another. These intense matchups showcased the talents and competitive spirit of the participants.
Top Performers
Several athletes distinguished themselves during the camp, including:
Albert Smith
MacArthur High School
Senior
Left Tackle
6'4
265
Twitter: n/a
Instagram: n/a
Adrian Zuniga
Harlingen High School South
Senior
Right Guard
6’2”
320
Twitter:
Instagram:
Nehemiah Griffin
Weiss High School
Senior
Guard
6'0
302 lbs
Twitter: @NehemiahGriffi7
Instagram: @nehemiah_griffin
Jayden Houston
Hebron High School
Senior
Defensive Lineman
5’11
265
Twitter:@jayhtown_
Instagram: @jaaydso
Elijah Hines
Whitesboro High School
Junior
Offense Tackle & Defensive Tackle
6’2
265
Twitter: n/a
Instagram: n/a
Aiden Williams
Duncanville High School
Sophomore
Offensive & Defensive Lineman
6’5
275 lbs
Twitter: @Aiden5214
Instagram: @Ayewilltheartist
Kwame “Tre” Osei
Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal School
Senior
Center
6’2
275 lbs
Twitter: @Tre_osei
Instagram: @Tre_osei
Daylon Owens
Hebron High School
Senior
Defensive Linemen
5’11
300 lbs
Twitter: @daylonowens
Instagram: @55cxsh.dayy
Cullen Thompson
Grand Oaks High School
Junior
Defensive End
6’5"
Twitter: @_Cullenthompson
Instagram: @cullen.thompson_4
Senior Watch List
Nehemiah Griffin
Tayshaun Davis
Juan “EJ” Villarreal
Spencer Gilliam
Adrian Zuniga
Jayden Stinson
Austin Freeman
Kwame Osei III
Tony Lewis
Rodney Williams
Daylon Owens
Jayden Houston
Albert Smith
Shaw Stutzman
Final Chant and BBQ
After completing the 1-on-1 sessions, the camp concluded with a final Big Man chant, fostering a sense of unity and achievement among the participants. The athletes then proceeded to the Hebron Athletic Center, where they enjoyed a delicious BBQ meal provided by Smokingangus BBQ.
Acknowledgments
2024 Wise Big Man Camp Staff
Special Thanks to the Wise Brothers. Deatrich, Daniel, and Solomon Wise and our coaches, Seth McBride, Calvin Anderson, Dustin Stanton, Will Hopkins, Coach Cee, and the many other coaches that help the big fella throughout the camp. Special Thanks to Shelia Wise aka Mama Wise and Deatrich Wise Sr., The Wise Big Man Camp extends its heartfelt gratitude to the following sponsors and vendors for their generous support:
- Boston Sports Agency (@bostonsportsco)
- Bright (@brighteventrentals)
- BSN Sports (@bsnsports)
- Coach First (@coachfirst)
- Fire Starter (@firestarterceo)
- First National Mutual Group
- Smokingangus BBQ (@angus_quigley_sr)
- NFL Foundation (@nflfoundation)
- Team Sports Agency (@teamsportsagency)
- Evamor (@evamorwater)
- NFLPA (@nflpa)
Their contributions were instrumental in making the 2024 Wise Big Man Camp a resounding success. The dedication of all involved has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the young athletes who participated.