Orlando Becomes the Stage for Florida’s Emerging Girls Flag Football Talent
When the All-American Exposure (AAE) Girls Flag Football Camp made its way from Las Vegas to Orlando to open the 2026 calendar, the mission was clear: elevate the standard, create exposure, and build a pipeline for Florida’s fastest-growing sport.
At the center of it stood Coach Lo, known in Central Florida as “The Camp King,” whose leadership continues to shape athlete development far beyond traditional tackle football.
“This isn’t just another camp,” Coach Lo said as cameras from multiple outlets lined the field. “We brought the best trainers in the state of Florida. We’re raising the standard.”
Girls traveled from Sarasota, Tampa, Jacksonville, and across the Orlando metro to compete. What separated this event from typical skill showcases was its intensity. The day opened with combine testing 40-yard dash, 5-10-5 shuttle, and L-drill before transitioning into competitive wide receiver vs. defensive back matchups.
And one athlete left no doubt who owned the day.
Daniella De Oliveira: Speed Meets Preparation
Daniella De Oliveira, a Class of 2027 prospect from Braden River High School, arrived from Sarasota with one goal: get better and gain exposure. She left as the fastest athlete at the camp.
De Oliveira posted a 5.4-second 40-yard dash, a 4.69 in the 5-10-5 shuttle, and an 8.4 in the L-drill times that mirrored many of the boys who tested earlier in the day.
“We had boys running those exact times,” Coach Lo emphasized. “When you see that kind of crossover speed and technique, you know someone is training the right way.”
There was no surprise in her voice when asked about preparation.
“I train speed every day,” De Oliveira said. “I’m always running my 40.”
That commitment showed. Her mechanics were clean. Her foot placement was efficient. Her acceleration phase was controlled, not rushed. In short-area drills, she displayed the body control and balance that translate directly to elite route running.
More importantly, she competed.
While the defensive back group outnumbered the receivers, De Oliveira welcomed the challenge, lining up against some of the camp’s top defensive talent and showing the quickness and separation ability to project at the next level.
Building a Pathway for Girls Flag Football
Florida continues to emerge as a national hub for girls’ flag football, with Power Four programs beginning to invest in the sport. Colleges are recruiting earlier. Camps are becoming more structured. The Olympics are adding flag football to the global spotlight.
Coach Lo believes this moment requires seriousness.
“What people aren’t doing,” he said, “is taking flag real seriously. That’s changing.”
Events like AAE aren’t just about performance metrics. They’re about infrastructure connecting athletes with media exposure, regional coverage, and development pathways. Cameras from local outlets lined the field. Athletes left not just with times, but with visibility.
For De Oliveira, the opportunity was clear.
“I just want to work on getting better and getting exposure,” she said.
Her focus has narrowed to flag football after previously competing in volleyball and soccer. That singular dedication may prove pivotal as the recruiting landscape expands.
A Camp That Feels Bigger Than a Camp
What stood out most wasn’t just De Oliveira’s performance; it was the environment.
AAE’s Orlando stop felt like a blueprint for the sport’s future: structured combine testing, competitive one-on-ones, elite trainers, and professional media coverage. It reflected a shift from recreational perception to high-performance development.
Coach Lo has spent three decades training speed athletes, and he doesn’t hand out praise lightly.
“When you’ve been doing speed training for 30 years, you know when someone’s putting in the work,” he said. “That’s technique. That’s training.”
By day’s end, De Oliveira stood atop all three combine categories: fastest 40, fastest 5-10-5, fastest L-drill.
“Danny stands on business,” Coach Lo said with a grin.
As girls’ flag football continues to surge across Florida, athletes like Daniella De Oliveira are proving the talent pool is deep and getting faster.
And if this Orlando camp is any indication, the future of the sport isn’t coming. It’s already here.
