DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — High school athletes from the Wiregrass and beyond are in the Circle City for a Rivals Combine and Camp at Rip Hewes Stadium.

The athletes are hoping to grab the attention of college coaches in the event that puts Dothan’s name in the mix with some of the biggest sports hubs in the country.

Dothan native and former Northview standout Izell Reese brought the Rivals Combine and Camp Series to the Wiregrass for the first time ever.

“I wanted to bring it here because it’s home,” Reese said. “I know what kind of talent is around this area.”

More than 1,200 kids took to the turf on Saturday to record times and measurements in several different events: the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, 3-cone drill, vertical jump and broad jump.

High school football players of all grades and skill level are welcome at the free event.

“It’s for all levels of kids, not just major D-I kids, even though a ton of them are here.”

Reese, a former UAB star and NFL veteran, oversees the series that is visiting nine sites this spring.

He partnered with Visit Dothan to bring it to the Wiregrass.

A few of the other cities on the series include: Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas.

Reese hopes to keep Dothan on that list.

He says registration here in the Circle City is equal to Miami.

“That just tells you the kind of talent that we have here and not only here, there’s kids coming from about 10 different states. The demand is there regardless of where this event takes place.”

About 200 athletes who perform well at Saturday’s combine are invited to a football camp on Sunday.

Drills at the camp are filmed. The film, along with the data from Saturday’s combine, can be sent to college coaches from NAIA to D-I all over the country.