U.S. National Team Regionals kicked off last weekend in Phoenix.

Over the next three months, U.S. National Team coaches will evaluate invited athletes, as they take the first step to earning their spot on the U.S. National Team.

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Athletes who have been invited to participate in a Regional will spend two days at a non-contact tryout; participants will have a unique development experience with elite coaches, top training on position specific development, character development, exposure, and much more!

“The opportunity to represent your country in any form is an unreal opportunity,” USA Football Senior Manager of National Teams Aaron Ingram said. “The Regionals also allow our players to be seen and coached by some of the top high school and college coaches in the country.  Everyone wants to play football in college. (This is an) opportunity to be in front of these college coaches and be not only seen but coached by them, while you’re working toward representing the Red, White, and Blue."

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Jeff Miller, a quarterback on the 2018 U-19 Select Team, and Towson (Maryland) University commit from Murrieta, California, learned firsthand just how representing the United States feels, during 2018 International Bowl IX, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in January.

“Being a part of the National Team was truly one of the highest honors that I have received,” Miller said. “To be able to play America’s sport and play with the letters USA across my chest, and the American flag on my shoulder was an incredible feeling.

“The honor and privilege I felt playing for the team was beyond anything I could have imagined, and no matter what I accomplish the rest of my life, being on the U.S. National team will always be one of the biggest honors I will have received.” Miller added.

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While receiving the honor to play for the U.S. National Team at the 2018 International Bowl, Miller said he gained a lot from the program and from participating in a Regional.

Miller’s biggest takeaway from the Regional was drills and coaching points from high-level NCAA Division I coaches.

“The U.S. National Team Regional had the biggest collection of good coaches that I have seen,” Miller said.

Regionals have much more to offer than skills development and exposure.

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 “I personally want each player to take the welcoming feeling of knowing they are in the National Team family after every Regional,” Ingram said. “Our directors do an outstanding job of connecting with each and every player at a Regional."

When a player is chosen to represent the United States, and become a U.S. National Team player, it’s about more than their athletic abilities. The U.S. National Team looks at each player as a whole.

During the two days, participants will take part in a Leadership and Character Development session.

This session will allow players to become well-rounded individuals on and off the field. This is something that has made a huge impact on Miller’s life.

“I can honestly say that because of this program I will be a better leader not only for future football teams but life as well,” he said. “The coaches really sat down with me and talked about how to be the best leader I could be. I will use these skills for the rest of my life, and I owe most of my leadership skills to the U.S. National Team program and coaches.”

The experience the U.S. National Team Regionals gives players is far more than the game of football. It gives these athletes a chance to be part of something bigger and benefit from a wide range of knowledge that will help them beyond the field.

“No matter what I do in my athletic career or life outside of football, playing for this program will always be one of the biggest honors I have ever received,” Miller said. “To be able to represent my country playing the sport I love is something I will never forget. I can’t thank the program enough,” adding, “I will forever be grateful and honored to be an alumni.”