Before high school football players can take the step to the colligate level, they have to be prepared.

On Friday, close to 200 prep athletes were taking those steps at Veterans Memorial Stadium as part of the Troy University College Prep Camp.

“We had a good showing [Friday],” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “We got a good looking group of kids here who want to get better and learn – and that’s always a great thing.”

Overall, there were kids from all over the Southeast Region, from Georgia to Mississippi, attending the camp, according to Blakeney and offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield.

One of the participants in the camp didn’t have to travel as far as some of the others.

Corey Dennis, who is a rising-senior at Charles Henderson, was a part of the activities and said it was something that was he was able to take a lot from.

“It’s fun to come out here and compete with all these guys,” Dennis said.

“There a lot of good competition out here so it’s good to see how everyone compares with one another.”

Heading into the 2010 season, Dennis will be looking to take snaps under center but at Friday’s camp, the Trojan was participating in receiving drills.

“I am learning a lot out here,” he said. “Getting a lot of different things from what the coaches are telling us.”

During the four-hour long camp, the players did different individual drills such as the 40-yard dash before being broken into different position drills, which were coached by Troy’s position coaches.

One of the most important aspects of the camp was the exposure it provided for both the players and the coaches.

“The kids were able to look at the campus and participate in the drills the college players do,” Edenfield said. “[Friday] was really a shortened version of a camp we do with our players, so it’s good that the kids were able to be a part of it – and they have all done great job.”

Like he did for the previous camps during the week, Blakeney said he preached about something more important that just athletics.

“Academics is the key,” the coach said. “Without having the grades, these kids can’t pursue athletics.”

This won’t be the only college prep camp held at Troy, as there will be another on July 23.