The Miami Dolphins organized a 2026 High School Tackle Football Media Day at Hard Rock Stadium, drawing more than 1,000 student‑athletes and 200 coaches from across Miami‑Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The August 15 event celebrated the talent of young players while equipping them with tools for the next phase of their athletic and academic journeys.
Learning Beyond the Game
The day featured a series of workshops covering college recruiting, name‑image‑likeness (NIL) opportunities, media training and professional photo shoots. Participants moved through interactive stations that simulated the pressures and possibilities of life as a collegiate and professional athlete.
Former state championship coaches, including Roger Harriott — who earned the 2025 National Football Coach of the Year honor — joined the event, alongside alumni such as Lamar Thomas, who stepped onto the stadium’s media stages to share his own experiences and inspire the next generation.
Local college students from Nova Southeastern University, Florida Memorial University and St. Thomas University participated in press conferences, helping to amplify the voices of the young athletes and providing a bridge between high school and higher‑education environments.
Kim Miller, the Dolphins’ Vice President of Community Affairs, highlighted the initiative’s focus on empowering student‑athletes and fostering community leadership. She noted that the program is designed to deliver resources that extend far beyond the field, supporting the long‑term futures of the participants.