Prep Network and SKLZ Partner to Bring Verified Speed Testing to Prep Redzone 7-on-7 Tournaments
Minneapolis, MN (March 18, 2026) – Prep Network has partnered with SKLZ to launch the SKLZ Speed Challenge series across its Prep Redzone 7-on-7 tournament circuit, bringing verified athletic testing and NFL-style measurables to football athletes nationwide.
Verified Data for the Modern Recruiting Landscape
As part of the partnership, Prep Network will integrate SKLZ’s Speed Gates Pro technology into 7-on-7 tournaments, providing athletes with accurate, verified 40-yard dash times in a competitive, high-exposure environment.
With college recruiting increasingly driven by trusted performance data, the SKLZ Speed Challenge will give athletes a standardized, credible way to showcase their speed alongside live gameplay.
Nationwide Activation Across 7-on-7 Circuit
The SKLZ Speed Challenge will be conducted at 10 Prep Redzone 7-on-7 tournaments, including the Prep Redzone National Championship, creating consistent opportunities for athletes to test, compete, and compare results across events.
Each activation will feature a fully branded SKLZ testing environment, including Speed Gates Pro timing gates, leaderboard displays, and on-site staff, delivering a structured and competitive testing experience at every event.
Content, Competition, and Exposure
Beyond testing, the partnership will generate a series of content and storytelling moments around athlete performance, including leaderboard rankings, social video highlights, and post-event coverage featuring top performers.
Athletes will also be able to compare results across events, creating a national benchmark for speed throughout the 7-on-7 season.
“Verified performance metrics are becoming increasingly important for high school athletes looking to play at the next level. Partnering with SKLZ to bring Speed Gates Pro to our Prep Redzone tournaments adds another competitive element to the event, while giving athletes easy access to trusted data they can use in their recruiting process,” said Cooper Olson, Head of Partnerships and Advertising Revenue at Prep Network.
“Speed is the universal currency of football, but in today’s recruiting world, if it isn’t verified, it doesn’t count,” said Mike Polk, CEO of Implus. “We built the Speed Gates Pro to be the ultimate truth-teller, a way to finally move the conversation past ‘hand-timed’ stories and into real, laser-timed data. But this isn’t just about a 40-yard dash; it’s about validating the grit and discipline that athletes pour into their training every single day. By bringing the SKLZ Speed Challenge to the Prep Redzone circuit, we’re giving every athlete a chance to stop guessing, start measuring, and finally prove their speed on a national stage.”
About Prep Network
Prep Network is the nation’s leading authority for youth and high school sports analysis, rankings, tournaments, and showcases. Through its eight owned-and-operated media properties and expansive schedule of events, Prep Network creates opportunities for athletes of all levels to compete, improve, and gain exposure. Headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, Prep Network publishes over 4,000 articles each month and hosts more than 450 premier youth and high school sports events annually across the United States. To learn more, visit https://prepnetwork.com/.
About SKLZ
SKLZ is the leading provider of performance training products and programs for athletes of all levels. SKLZ products are designed to sync the body to the brain, helping athletes to be stronger, smarter, and faster. With tools available for every sport and skill, like training nets, agility ladders, resistance bands, and more, SKLZ empowers athletes to never settle for yesterday’s best. Learn more at www.sklz.com
About Implus
Implus is home to 16 brands in the footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness, and movement categories. As an industry leader in active accessories, Implus is committed to enabling people to live active, healthy, and fulfilled lives, providing innovative products to more than 80,000 retail outlets worldwide. Distributing across more than 70 countries, Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with five international offices. Key brands within Implus’ portfolio include Balega®, SKLZ®, Yaktrax®, TriggerPoint™, Sof Sole®, RockTape® and Spenco®. Learn more at www.implus.com.