Thirty-two high school football players who did not sign college scholarships on National Signing Day had an opportunity to impress college recruiters at the Metro Atlanta Football Recruiting Summit on Feb. 11.

The summit, held at Miller Grove High School in Lithonia, was hosted by the Phi Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

The students from DeKalb, Butts, Cobb, Fulton and Henry counties met with recruiters from four colleges.

The schools included Atlanta Sports Academy in Dawsonville; Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss.; Morehouse College in Atlanta; and Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The fraternity created the recruiting event to give high school football players who may have been overlooked or were late bloomers the potential opportunity to receive a football scholarship or admission to a college or university as a preferred walk-on.

The fourth annual summit includes colleges from the East Coast Division II schools and junior colleges across the Southeast.

College and university representatives met individually with the players. Students and parents could provide a transcript and a DVD of the player’s highlights on the football field.

More than 25 students have received full or partial scholarships since the program began, said Phillip Thomas, the chapter’s Basileus.

Others have received financial aid assistance and/or admission as a preferred walk-on at colleges and junior colleges.

“We average eight to 10 kids a year who sign after attending the summit and average $100,000 in scholarships a year,” Thomas said. “It’s pretty positive. Even if we sign one kid it’s positive.”

Before speaking with college recruiters, Towers High School senior Larry Tucker, who plays quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back, said he hoped to impress them enough to get a scholarship offer.

“I would bring a positive energy and a leadership role to a team,” Tucker said. “I’ll give my all on every play and I have a passion for the game.”