The All-American Football Camp celebrated its 20th anniversary this weekend, bringing some of football’s brightest young talents face to face with the game’s rising stars and seasoned veterans on Hilton Head Island.Led by Hilton Head Island High School football head coach BJ Payne, the camp has become a summer staple in the Lowcountry, drawing both campers and alumni from across the region and beyond.”A lot of these kids saw these guys play high school football,” Payne said. “They want to emulate their footsteps. It’s great to get the hometown guys back to help our hometown kids.”Among the most notable returning players was Jalen Sneed, a Notre Dame linebacker who recently played in the national championship game. Also on hand was Brandon Cisse, a recent South Carolina transfer, both former Lowcountry standouts now giving back to the community where they first took the field.“All the love from the island, the community, the parents. It’s just amazing,” said Sneed.Cissé echoed that sentiment.“I was that kid,” Cissé said. “I wanted to learn from those guys. So I’m just trying to pass down everything I would have wanted to know when I was their age.”The camp also attracted NFL talent, including wide receiver Jakeem Grant, known for his elite speed. During one session, Grant worked one-on-one with a local eighth-grader, helping fine-tune her technique for running the 40-yard dash.“Those are the moments right there,” Payne said. “There’s always going to be a bond between one of the guys and the kids that’s formed here and stays for years.”Sneed, who brought some of his Fighting Irish teammates with him, wasn’t the only one with ties to major college football. The camp also welcomed players from Ohio State, adding a competitive but friendly energy to drills and instruction.“There’s a couple Ohio State Buckeyes here,” Payne said with a smile. “But it’s all love. Jalen was working with two Ohio State linebackers on drills. It’s great.”

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. —

The All-American Football Camp celebrated its 20th anniversary this weekend, bringing some of football’s brightest young talents face to face with the game’s rising stars and seasoned veterans on Hilton Head Island.

Led by Hilton Head Island High School football head coach BJ Payne, the camp has become a summer staple in the Lowcountry, drawing both campers and alumni from across the region and beyond.

“A lot of these kids saw these guys play high school football,” Payne said. “They want to emulate their footsteps. It’s great to get the hometown guys back to help our hometown kids.”

Among the most notable returning players was Jalen Sneed, a Notre Dame linebacker who recently played in the national championship game. Also on hand was Brandon Cisse, a recent South Carolina transfer, both former Lowcountry standouts now giving back to the community where they first took the field.

“All the love from the island, the community, the parents. It’s just amazing,” said Sneed.

Cissé echoed that sentiment.

“I was that kid,” Cissé said. “I wanted to learn from those guys. So I’m just trying to pass down everything I would have wanted to know when I was their age.”

The camp also attracted NFL talent, including wide receiver Jakeem Grant, known for his elite speed. During one session, Grant worked one-on-one with a local eighth-grader, helping fine-tune her technique for running the 40-yard dash.

“Those are the moments right there,” Payne said. “There’s always going to be a bond between one of the guys and the kids that’s formed here and stays for years.”

Sneed, who brought some of his Fighting Irish teammates with him, wasn’t the only one with ties to major college football. The camp also welcomed players from Ohio State, adding a competitive but friendly energy to drills and instruction.

“There’s a couple Ohio State Buckeyes here,” Payne said with a smile. “But it’s all love. Jalen was working with two Ohio State linebackers on drills. It’s great.”