TreVon Cannon, Keshaun Smoot, Marquis Richardson and Daryl Johnson hold a unique record in Washington football training camp lore.

The former Highland Springs High School classmates, athletes and longtime friends have been the first fans inside the D.C. training camp each of its first three years in Richmond.

How have they done it?

Each year, they arrive about 11 o’clock the night before the start of the camp behind the Science Museum of Virginia. They bring beach chairs to sit outside the camp entrance, swapping stories, perusing social media on their cell phones and taking turns making runs to nearby stores for refreshments.

Their persistence has paid dividends.

Their early arrival enables them to stake out a prime position alongside the practice field to watch their favorite team players and to seek autographs.

A Washington team official paid tribute to their loyalty this year with a tweet last Friday that read: “Dedication. These guys have been waiting in line for #SkinsCamp since 11 LAST NIGHT.”

“It’s like a tradition to me now,” said Mr. Cannon, 21, who is an emergency medical technician with the Richmond Ambulance Authority. “I always like to be in first, so I can meet every player that I like to see. We get a spot on the 50-yard line. We can see everything from there.”

He brought a hat, towel and football to camp on the first day and got autographs from nose guards Terrance Knighton and Chris Baker and safety Bashaud Breeland.

Mr. Richardson, 21, who works at a nursing home, concurred.

“I love being out there. It’s just the love and support we have for the team. We have a great time talking with other fans and with each other. And everyone’s nice, from the team staff on down,” he said.

He got Breeland and safety Dashon Goldson to sign his football.

Mr. Richardson and Mr. Cannon graduated from Highland Springs in 2012. They were teammates on the Springer basketball team.

Mr. Smoot and Mr. Johnson graduated in 2014. They played with Mr. Cannon on the Highland Springs football team.

Mr. Johnson plays quarterback on the St. Augustine’s University football team. Mr. Smoot attends James Madison University.

The D.C. team led by quarterback Robert Griffin III, aka RGIII, and new head Coach Jay Gruden finished a woeful 4-12 last season.

Mr. Richardson, who attended three games last season, foresees a big turnaround this season. He predicted the team will finish 12-4.

“You can just see that the team is much more focused this year,” he said. “RGIII looks much better, and I think he will lead the team to a big season.”