On March 7th, Rep 1 Exposure had the opportunity to attend the AEX Combine in Mobile, Alabama, an event designed to help athletes gain exposure while also providing verified testing numbers that college programs can rely on during evaluations.
One of the first things that stood out about the event was that it featured both boys football and girls flag football athletes, creating a unique environment where multiple athletes had the chance to compete and showcase their abilities. Despite windy conditions and cloudy skies throughout the day, the athletes showed up ready to compete and take advantage of the opportunity.
The combine itself was structured into several segments designed to evaluate athleticism and football skill. The day began with warmups and basic drills, allowing athletes to get loose before moving into the testing portion of the event.
One of the key testing components was the 40-yard dash, which was timed using both laser timing and hand timing to ensure athletes received accurate and verified results. This same process was also used for the short shuttle drill, which helps evaluate agility and change-of-direction ability.
After the testing phase, athletes transitioned into position-specific drills, where coaches worked closely with players on technique and fundamentals. One of the biggest positives I heard throughout the day came directly from the recruits themselves. Several players I spoke with mentioned how helpful the coaching was during the event, and it was clear the coaches were focused on helping athletes improve while also evaluating their performance.
The event concluded with 7-on-7 competition, giving players the opportunity to apply what they worked on during drills in a competitive setting. This portion of the day always provides a great opportunity to see athletes display their football IQ, competitiveness, and playmaking ability.
From a media standpoint, the event was also extremely organized. The staff did a great job interacting with those covering the event and made it easy to move around and capture content throughout the day.
The event featured a strong mix of talent across multiple recruiting classes, with athletes ranging from the Class of 2027 through the Class of 2030. Several colleges were also in attendance evaluating talent, including North Alabama and Bishop State Community College, providing athletes the opportunity to perform in front of college programs.
One of the individual honors from the event was the Spinlabs Quarterback Award, which was earned by Brody Loudermilk, a 2027 quarterback from Lakeshore High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. Loudermilk, who stands 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, was recognized for his performance among the quarterbacks competing at the combine.
In addition to the award recognition, several athletes received invitations to compete in the upcoming AEX Bowl in Charlotte, which will provide another opportunity for exposure in front of college coaches and scouts.
Those invited to participate include:
Brody Loudermilk — Quarterback — Lakeshore High School — Mandeville, Louisiana — Class of 2027 — 6’1”, 185 lbs
Kendrick Able Jr. — Running Back / Athlete — Theodore High School — Theodore, Alabama — Class of 2027 — 5’10”, 200 lbs
Kamron White — Defensive Back — Natchez High School — Natchez, Mississippi
Ladd Powers — Tight End / Wide Receiver — Bayside Academy — Daphne, Alabama — Class of 2027 — 6’2”, 215 lbs
Tyreke Bates — Outside Linebacker — McAdory High School — McCalla, Alabama — Class of 2027 — 6’1”, 170 lbs
Kaeden Thomas — Quarterback / Free Safety — Hamburg High School — Hamburg, Arkansas — Class of 2027 — 6’2”, 185 lbs
Kaleb Ballard — Wide Receiver / Tight End — Wetumpka High School — Wetumpka, Alabama — Class of 2028 — 6’5”, 215 lbs
Events like the AEX Combine play an important role in the recruiting landscape. Their goal is to create exposure opportunities for athletes while also providing verified testing numbers that can be shared with college programs, helping prospects gain attention and potentially earn scholarship opportunities.
Rep 1 Exposure would like to extend a thank you to the entire AEX staff and everyone involved with the event for inviting us out to Mobile to cover the combine. We appreciate the opportunity and look forward to continuing to highlight athletes who are working to take their recruiting to the next level.