The National Scouting Combine will bring its NextGen Combine to Southwest Florida on January 2–3, 2027, giving middle and high school athletes access to validated athletic testing and individualized performance insight at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples.
The event is open to boys and girls in grades 6–12 during the 2026–27 school year. Athletes from all sports and experience levels are welcome, including homeschooled students and those without previous organized-sports experience.
NextGen extends the National Scouting Combine’s established testing system to younger athletes, creating an objective baseline before recruiting pressure begins.
“NextGen was created because younger athletes deserve more than a stopwatch and a list of numbers,” said Jimmy Kibble, founder and CEO of the National Scouting Combine. “They deserve accurate testing, meaningful context and feedback that can help them understand who they are as athletes and where they can improve.”
Athlete Check-In at Great Wolf Lodge
Athlete check-in will take place Saturday, January 2, from 4–7 p.m. inside the ballrooms at Great Wolf Lodge Naples.
Athletes will complete in-person registration, receive their official NextGen Combine apparel, have a professional headshot taken and receive final information for Sunday. Parents and guardians will also have an opportunity to meet National Scouting Combine staff.
Families may arrive at any point during the three-hour window. Completing registration Saturday will allow athletes to report directly to their assigned field Sunday morning.
Sunday Combine Testing
Athletes will report to Paradise Coast Sports Complex at 9 a.m. Sunday, January 3. Signage will direct athletes and families to the appropriate field. Testing is expected to conclude at approximately 3 p.m.
Participants will complete five standardized tests:
● 40-Yard Dash
● Pro Agility Shuttle
● 3-Cone Drill
● Broad Jump
● Vertical Jump
The tests measure speed, acceleration, agility, balance, body control and explosiveness. Every participant completes the same drills under consistent standards, producing results that are more credible and useful than self-reported times or informal measurements.
These athletic qualities translate across football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, volleyball, track and field, and many other sports.
More Than a List of Numbers
Every athlete will receive an individualized AIR Athletic Intelligence Report following the combine. AIR transforms verified testing data into a structured athletic profile that explains what the results mean—not simply what the athlete recorded.
The report includes:
● Verified results and performance context
● Athletic strengths and limiting factors
● Development priorities and retesting goals
● Benchmarks showing where the athlete currently stands
● A credible resource to complement film, statistics and a recruiting résumé
For athletes, AIR creates a baseline for guiding training and documenting progress. For parents, it replaces vague descriptions such as “fast” or “explosive” with verified information and clearer next steps.
“Young athletes are often told that they are fast, explosive or athletic, but they are rarely given verified information that explains what those descriptions actually mean,” said Jesse Heninger, chief marketing officer of the National Scouting Combine. “NextGen gives athletes and their families something tangible—a detailed picture of current performance that can become a roadmap for development and a credible tool for future opportunities.”
Built for Development and Recruiting
As recruiting becomes relevant, verified measurements give college coaches and scouting personnel another way to evaluate athletic traits and identify prospects who deserve a closer look. The data can help evaluators filter large athlete pools, compare verified results and decide where to invest additional film study or live evaluation.
AIR does not replace game film, production, academics, character or coaching evaluation. It strengthens an athlete’s presentation by adding standardized, measurable evidence.
The report may also support future personal-brand and NIL conversations by giving athletes tangible evidence of their performance. It does not guarantee recruiting interest, scholarships or NIL compensation, but it can help athletes present a more complete and credible story.
A National Testing Standard in Naples
The National Scouting Combine began in Indianapolis and has spent years testing and evaluating college and professional-level prospects. NextGen brings the same commitment to verified measurement, consistent standards and actionable feedback to emerging athletes.
The event leads into the National Scouting Combine’s 2027 All-Star Week, scheduled for January 4–7 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. Younger athletes will be evaluated by the same organization working with draft-eligible college prospects later that week.
Paradise Coast Sports Complex is located next to Great Wolf Lodge Naples. Admission and parking will be free for spectators. Parents and guests may watch from designated areas but will not be permitted inside active testing stations.
Registration Information
Early-bird registration is $75 through November 25, 2026. Registration increases to $99 beginning November 26. Taxes and processing fees apply. Pre-registration is required. Walk-ups will not be accepted.
Event Schedule
● Saturday, January 2: Athlete check-in, 4–7 p.m., Great Wolf Lodge Naples ballrooms
● Sunday, January 3: Athlete arrival at 9 a.m.; testing concludes at approximately 3 p.m., Paradise Coast Sports Complex
Paradise Coast Sports Complex
3940 City Gate Boulevard North
Naples, Florida 34117
Register for the 2027 NextGen Combine:
https://nationalscoutingcombine.com/nextgen-naples/
Learn more about NextGen:
https://nationalscoutingcombine.com/nextgen/
Learn more about the AIR Athletic Intelligence Report:
https://nationalscoutingcombine.com/athletic-intelligence-2/#inside-air
