In a shifting college football landscape where opportunities for high school athletes are increasingly rare, the National Football Foundation (NFF) is bridging the gap by creating a direct pipeline for student-athletes through its four annual NFF Showcases. One of those showcases takes place this weekend on Saturday at Great Park in Irvine and also is known as the 13th Annual Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
FOR INFO TO SIGN UP AS A PLAYER FOR THIS FREE EXPOSURE EVENT (RAIN OR SHINE), CLICK HERE.
NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 12 NOON ON WEDNESDAY OF THIS WEEK.
Events on the National Football Foundation label are free to participants and college recruiters, and are expected to connect more than 1,200 high school seniors with coaches from more than 100 colleges and universities across all levels, landing more than 250 scholarships for participants in 2026. Events have collectively reached 17,450 players since they began in 2009 with one in four landing on college rosters or approximately 4,250 student athletes enrolled in college.
All graduating Class of 2026 football players in the state need to know about this upcoming event on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Irvine. For info and to sign up, CLICK HERE.
Committed to the long-term strength and integrity of football, the 13th Annual Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase is set for this Saturday, Feb. 21 in Irvine, CA. Since its inception, the event has hosted over 1,300 student-athletes and facilitated a staggering $46 million in financial packages at over 160 colleges.
This weekend’s NFF Showcase is expected to bring in 400+ high school seniors, 50 four-year colleges, 15 junior colleges, among others. Approximately 45% of attendees are on government assistance of some kind. With last year’s success rate of 1 in 3 attendees landing on college rosters, this provides access for first-generation college students and those that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to further their education and athletic careers.
“These are young people who truly need this opportunity,” said Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase Co-founder Pat Donahue Sr. “They’re not pampered athletes who already have their future secured. With the transfer portal and the changing landscape of the game, this showcase has become more important than ever. Our vision is a four-year college degree for these student-athletes. Football is the vehicle.”
Proven Success
CJ Ravenell attended the NFF Southern California Showcase in 2018, turning opportunity into achievement. After earning a scholarship offer from Missouri Western State University, he became a standout defensive end for the program, drawing invitations to three NFL training camps. He ultimately signed with the Baltimore Ravens, fulfilling his lifelong dream of competing at football’s highest level.
The Donahue Brothers:
How the NFF Southern California Showcase Came to Be
The NFF Southern California Showcase began nearly 15 years ago with a dinner conversation in Dallas. Pat Donahue Sr. joined his brother, the late Terry Donahue — an NFF College Football Hall of Fame head coach at UCLA and former general manager of the San Francisco 49ers — in Texas for the Cotton Bowl Classic, where Coach was serving as the radio color analyst. Ahead of the game, the two brothers met NFF executives Steve Hatchell and Matthew Sign for a meal, where Coach Donahue shared his desire to give back. Hatchell recommended they visit the NFF Houston Showcase, so two weeks later, they did.
Walking the field that day, Pat watched his brother come alive around the players. Inspired, the two decided to launch a similar event in Southern California. What began as a leap of faith and far more work than expected, debuted with 400 student-athletes and 40 colleges.
Though Coach Donahue passed away four years ago, Pat promised to carry on the mission they shared.
One Comment
Coach Donahue was a great man!