LAS VEGAS, NV / CRWE PRESS RELEASE / August 24, 2026 - For student-athletes who graduate from high school without a college offer, the path forward can be uncertain. The National Junior College Prep Football League (NJCP) provides post-graduate competition, coaching, and national exposure for players who need additional time to develop.

The league stretches from California to Florida, connecting athletes across a nationwide network and putting player film in front of college coaching staffs. NJCP operates as a college prep program, giving athletes a full season of competition while maintaining NCAA eligibility, with coaching from staffs that include former high school head coaches and collegiate assistants.

A Gap Coaches Have Talked About for Years

The Louisville Thunder, the first junior college football program in Kentucky and a member team of NJCP, reflects the league's approach. Mike Reed, the team's owner, founder and head coach, placed the franchise in Louisville specifically to reach overlooked players in the city. Reed previously served as head coach at Iroquois and Fort Knox before spending last season as an assistant at Langston University in Oklahoma.

"There's a lot more kids, and we can actually build something really special for the city," Reed said. "A lot of those kids in the city get overlooked and don't get to showcase their full potential."

Chris Wolfe, the Thunder's offensive coordinator and a 25-year veteran of high school coaching in Kentucky, said the demand has been there for a long time.

"There are kids who graduate who have a college-football itch," Wolfe said. "Either they're not getting recruited to the level they want to play, or they want to play football but don't have the grades."

Kenny Walker, the Thunder's defensive coordinator and former head coach at Atherton and Pleasure Ridge Park, said Louisville coaches had discussed the need for a junior college program for years before one existed.

"We needed something for those kids who were falling through the cracks," Walker said.

Who Comes to NJCP

NJCP serves a wide range of athletes, from recent high school graduates looking for another opportunity to transfer portal or older players seeking meaningful competition while continuing their development. 

For families, another season means another year of coaching, structure, academic progress, and current game film. Parents weighing what comes after high school are often looking at the same question their sons are, which is whether there is a path forward that keeps both football and school moving.

A Season of Development

NJCP provides players a full season of competitive football, the kind of game experience college coaching staffs evaluate when assessing prospects. Games are recorded and livestreamed, with film available to programs at all levels.

Athletes and families interested in learning more about NJCP, available teams, and opportunities for the 2026 season can visit www.njcpfootball.com.

About NJCP Football League:

The National Junior College Prep Football League is the first national system for junior college prep football, designed to organize, showcase, and develop overlooked football talent across the United States. Built by former NFL athletes and veteran coaches, the NJCP provides a platform for player development, media exposure, and community impact for athletes across the nation.

For more information, please visit www.njcpfootball.com or follow @NJCP_Football on our official social media channels:

YouTube: NJCP Football
X (Twitter): @NJCP_Football
Instagram: @njcp_football
Facebook: NJCP Football League

For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact:

National Junior College Prep Football League
admin@njcpfootball.com
(435) 922-3335

Source: NJCP Football