Junior college football has disappeared from numerous states, leaving many high school graduates who aren’t offered major college scholarships with their dreams cut short before they truly begin. Starting in Fall 2023, USA Collegiate and The Coaches Team Foundation, a nonprofit organization, brought junior college football to Goodyear—along with a “gap year” program designed to give recent graduates another shot at achieving their goals.

When people hear “junior college athletics,” they often underestimate the impact this transitional level of competition can have on a student-athlete’s growth both on and off the field. The same holds true for those taking advantage of the gap year opportunity.

The Goodyear Wranglers, one of Arizona’s first private teams, are committed to helping post-high school players develop academically, athletically, and physically so they can reach their ultimate goal: playing major college football.