No. 1 Overall 2016 Recruit Rashan Gary Ready for 5-Team SEC Visit Tour

BEAVERTON, Ore. — All eyes are on top overall 2016 prospect Rashan Gary at The Opening this week. The dominant defensive tackle returned to Nike's world headquarters for a second-straight year for an annual showcase of America's most heralded high school football talent.

“It’s an honor to be back because this is a great event and I love competition," he told Bleacher Report. "Lose or win out here, I’m learning every rep. Those are the things that make you a better player moving forward.”

The thought of an improved Gary should send chills down the spine of every opposing quarterback on Paramus Catholic (New Jersey) High School's schedule this season. He is aiming to build off a junior campaign that featured 55 tackles, 24 quarterback hurries and 14 sacks. 

The 5-star standout is spending this week in search of positional MVP honors at The Opening, but a busy stretch lies ahead before August training camp commences. 

Gary intends to spend time on five SEC campuses this month, heading to Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and LSU. The list includes pivotal return trips that could determine which universities are able to eventually lock in official visits with the 6'4", 311-pound playmaker.

“My second visits are about seeing how things add up at schools. I want to find out if things have stayed the same and they’re consistent," he said.

His first journey occurs this weekend, taking him to Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs hosted Gary in April, when he also stopped by South Carolina and Clemson.

Gary aims to unveil another side of the Georgia program this time around.

“I want to get a better overall feel for the place," he said. "When I was down there last time I spent a lot of time with the coaching staff and built a relationship with them. I don’t have a lot of questions left for the coaches so now it’s time for me to hang out with the players and check out that environment.”

Later this month, Gary will hit a trio of universities with fellow coveted New Jersey recruits. Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss are set to host him, along with 4-star athlete Ahmir Michell, 4-star linebacker Drew Singleton and 4-star defensive tackle Corey Bolds.

The Rebels seem to be making up ground in the Gary sweepstakes following his June visit. 

"When I went down there, I loved Ole Miss. I love [defensive line coach Chris] Kiffin. Now, in talking to him almost every day, I’m building that relationship with him. They are building that relationship with me and my mom," he said.

Auburn also welcomed Gary to campus last month. First-year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp particularly piques his interest. 

"Great defensive line coach. He coached Sharrif Floyd [at Florida], who is one of the coaches out here working with me. He said I can play like him. When he said that, I went home and watched his film. I was like, ‘wow,’ because we do have similar qualities," Gary said.

Alabama leads his 247Sports' Crystal Ball with 43 percent of expert commitment predictions. The Crimson Tide are likely to secure an official visit later this year.

"That’s big boy football," Gary said. "Every year, they are competing for a national championship. That’s what I like."

LSU is also on the itinerary for Gary. He will wrap up a whirlwind stretch of travel with a trip to Baton Rouge, accompanied by high school teammates Bolds and Singleton.

Gary remains on track to announce a top-five list potential collegiate destinations before the start of his senior season. He admits a final decision might not arrive until national signing day.

Despite heavy SEC interest, Michigan may be the team to beat in this race.

Gary enjoyed his latest visit to Ann Arbor just two weeks ago. Wolverines assistant Chris Partridge previously served as head coach at Paramus Catholic, a program that produced 5-star 2014 Michigan signee Jabrill Peppers.

“They treat us like family. Coach Partridge knows how my mom is and knows how I am, so our visit was smooth," Gary said. "He showed us everything we needed to see.”

The ultimate destination of this cycle's most coveted recruit likely won't be known for another seven months, but this upcoming SEC tour promises to play a big factor in the next phase of his recruitment.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analysts Tyler Donohue and Sanjay Kirpalani.