Former Florida state, carolina panthers tampa bay buccaneers Javien Elliott hosts free youth football camp

• Former Rutherford and NFL player Javien Elliott hosted a free youth football camp at Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City, Florida.
• The camp, attended by nearly 170 young athletes, focused on skills development and combine-style drills.
• The event was a collaboration between Elliott, Speed Plus Sports, Florida State University–Panama City, and Bay District Schools.
• Organizers emphasized the importance of community involvement and inspiring local youth to pursue their athletic goals.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — One of Bay County’s own returned home over the weekend to give back to the next generation of athletes.

Former Rutherford standout and NFL defensive back Javien Elliott hosted a free youth football camp at Tommy Oliver Stadium, in partnership with Florida State University–Panama City. The one-day event drew nearly 170 participants, offering them a chance to showcase their skills and receive instruction from experienced coaches.

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The camp featured a combine-style format led by Elliott and “Speed Plus Sports,” a training program run by Boris Jackson. Young athletes ran 40-yard dashes, weaved through five-cone drills, and broke into position-specific groups for hands-on work.

“Being able to give back after growing up here, playing my high school football right on this field—I want to inspire these kids to know it’s possible to go far coming out of this area,” Elliott said.

Despite the sweltering heat, the energy never dipped. Jackson, a veteran of youth camps across the Orlando area, brought a high level of enthusiasm and focus throughout the day.

“We wanted to make sure these kids are comfortable being assessed,” Jackson said. “If they want to pursue football as a career, this is where it starts. They’re getting a taste of Central Florida training through Speed Plus, which I run every weekend.”

The event was made possible through a collaboration between Elliott, Speed Plus Sports, Florida State–Panama City, and Bay District Schools. Irvin Clark, associate dean of strategic initiatives at FSU-PC, emphasized the importance of the community effort.

“It was a perfect day, the right people at the right time,” Clark said. “Coach Jackson, a big name like Javien Elliott, FSU-PC, and our school district all came together to create something special for our youth.”

Lynn Haven Mayor Jessie Nelson, whose son took part in the camp, praised the initiative as a win for both athletics and education.

“This is a great way for FSU-PC to be involved in the community,” Nelson said. “Even for those who may not continue with sports after high school, they will be able to find a great university to attend right here at home.”

Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1