The Los Angeles Rams hosted an offensive line position camp presented by center Steve Avila for more than 80 high school offensive linemen. Rams guard Grant Miller joined the camp alongside Avila to make opening remarks and lead drills throughout the camp.
Marking the first position-specific camp the Rams have hosted, the event gave local athletes the opportunity to develop their skills alongside professional athletes. Being held at the team's practice facility, the camp immersed the participants in what it's like to be a Rams player.
Cole Kackley is a junior at Simi Valley High School and had the opportunity to learn more about the position he plays from professionals. He emphasized the specific help he received from Avila and Miller on fine-tuning his footwork and other aspects of his technique that he will use to continue growing his game.
Avila organized the drills that he utilizes in his training for the athletes in the camp to participate in. "All my life I've had someone that took time out of their day to share knowledge with me. Even now I'm still learning things, so I try to make it a point to share that knowledge and share a good time with other people," said Avila.
Avila and Miller joined Rams youth engagement coaches to teach football techniques and fundamentals focusing on offensive line concepts and player alignment. Participants also completed agility and conditioning training.
Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Steve Avila hosted a football camp specifically for young offensive linemen. Take a look through the best photos of Steve and fellow o-lineman Grant Miller sharing their expertise, young athletes improving their technique, and participants enjoying a spirited tug-of-war competition.
Ghalee Wadood, Rams associate manager of high school football, coordinated the camp. He is hopeful that the high school offensive linemen remember and utilize the drills they learned from Avila and Miller. Wadood was inspired by the energy and excitement that he saw amongst participants throughout the camp.
Avila joked he got into the coaching mode throughout the camp but mentioned the respect he felt when the high school athletes referred to him as "coach." The eagerness of the athletes showed him they valued the skills he was passing on to them.
"I feel one step closer to my division one dreams. I learned to calm down and go step by step," said Joshua Orajel, Chatsworth High School junior. He emphasized the warm embrace he felt from Rams players, stating that he felt welcome even though it was a new environment for him and many other athletes.
The Rams are excited to continue position-specific camps to allow more Southern California youth opportunity to grow their skills on and off the field.
For more information about the Rams' community outreach efforts, visit www.therams.com/community.
