Highlights and Analysis from the Opening Oakland Regional

EL SOBRANTE, Calif. — The Nike Opening Regional camp circuit made its latest stop in Oakland as a number of the elite prospects on the West Coast showed up to compete for a spot at the nation’s premier summer camp showcase.

A picturesque backdrop at De Anza High School in El Sobrante with mild and comfortable temperatures greeted the hundreds of athletes in attendance. 

In all, nine athletes earned an invite to The Opening while four quarterbacks punched their ticket to the Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles next month. 

The number of instant invites was a direct reflection of the amount of talent on hand, which matched up favorably with some of the more loaded fields earlier on this year’s tour.

Which players rose to the occasion and what other news and notes emerged from the Oakland regional?

Let’s get into it.

QB Group Lives Up to Hype

With a field that included quarterbacks committed to schools such as Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan and Washington State, the arm talent on display was evident from the get-go.

Led by head coach Trent Dilfer, The Elite 11 coaching staff were energetic throughout the event in doling out praise and offering tips to the passers in attendance.

Three known quantities lived up to their billing in 5-star Michigan pledge Dylan McCaffrey, 4-star Alabama commit Tua Tagovailoa and 4-star Jack Sears—who is uncommitted and also earned MVP of the quarterback segment. All three consistently performed at a high level and made their selections for the Elite 11 finals a mere formality.

“It feels fantastic. It’s been a dream of mine to get to the Elite 11 since I was little,” McCaffrey told Bleacher Report. “When I heard my name called, my face lit up with a big smile, so I’m really happy right now.” 

While those guys were known in recruiting circles, the last recipient of the bunch was 3-star Jake Haener.

The 6’0”, 180-pounder out of Monte Vista High School in Danville, California admitted he entered the event with plenty of incentive to make a name for himself.

“I wasn’t expecting [the Elite 11 invite]. I came in here today just wanting to compete with some of the best guys in the country,” Haener said. “I’ve been working hard for this moment and I’m just happy to see it pay off.” 

Haener reports that he has seven offers, but none from Power 5 schools. Of the bigger schools, he mentioned USC, UCLA, Cal, Oregon State and Wake Forest as schools he’s interested in.

For now, he will focus on spring football with his teammates and preparing for the big stage of the Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles next month.

Don’t expect him to enter that event lacking for confidence, either.

“I just wanted to do the best I could. I knew that if I come in and throw the ball the way I know I can throw it, it’s up there with the top guys in the country,” Haener explained. “I’m not scared of competing with them. They are all great guys. I’m just glad I performed well.”

Rising DB Racks Up Awards

There were a handful of elite defensive backs on hand with lengthy offer lists.

However, one rangy defender stole the show: 3-star corner Jaylon Johnson from Central East High School in Fresno, California. 

Johnson started his day blowing the doors off the testing period at the beginning of the camp. He won the ratings MVP with a score of 132.42. 

He doubled down by winning the camp’s fastest man challenge by running a 4.49 against three other touted defenders. 

His day ended with MVP honors for the defensive backs segment and an invite to The Opening.

“It’s a true blessing from God. I know a lot of big-time players have come through this event. It definitely feels good to put my name on that list of guys,” Johnson said.

Furthermore, he made an emphatic statement in his quest to be rated among the nation’s elite defensive backs.

“I think I showed that I’m a competitor,” Johnson said. “I think nobody really knew how good I was, but to come out here and show what I can do, it’s definitely a good feeling and shows that I’m one of the best athletes in the country.” 

He’ll get another chance on the biggest of stages in July at The Opening.

DL Segment Shines

It was a banner day for the defensive side of the ball as seven of the nine invites to The Opening came from players on that side of the ball. 

Half of that group was represented by players who will line up with their hands in the dirt at the next level.

A trio of defensive tackles in 4-star Washington pledge Marlon Tuipulotu, 4-star Greg Rogers and 4-star Jay Tufele lived up to their lofty ratings entering the event. 

“It feels really good to get open. I’m really hyped right now,” Rogers exclaimed. “I just wanted to show them what I can do and build on the film I’ve got up. I just came out here to dominate and handle my business and I feel like I did that. I’m glad that it was enough for me to get that invite.”

Joining them in Oregon will be 4-star defensive end and UCLA pledge Hunter Echols.

The 6’4”, 220-pounder, who rates as the nation’s No. 11 weakside defensive end and the No. 154 player overall, was a blur off the edge for offensive linemen to deal with. 

“It’s a blessing. I get to rep UCLA at The Opening with my boy Jaelan Phillips. I’m just excited about that opportunity,” Echols said. “I was able to show the coaches my game speed and determination to get to the quarterback. I’m ready to compete against the best offensive linemen in the country in Oregon. I’m looking to make my coaches and family proud out there.”

Stanford TE Pledge Represents Position Segment

One of the more underrated segments in terms of talent on hand was the tight end group.

At the head of that group was 4-star pass catcher and current Stanford commit Colby Parkinson. 

The 6’6”, 225-pounder is currently rated as the nation’s No. 2 tight end prospect, but he made his case to challenge for the top spot.

His hard work paid off with an invite to The Opening. In the process, he fulfilled a dream he’s had since he entered the high school level. 

“Since my freshman year, I’ve been watching it on TV. I was like, ‘there’s no way I’ll be able to get there one day,’ ” Parkinson said. “Now, I just got the invite and it’s so surreal. I’m really excited about it.”

Before the camp began, Parkinson was enjoying getting to hang out with a group of his peers that included fellow Stanford pledge and 3-star Tucker Fisk and 4-star Jimmy Jaggers among others.

“It’s so fun. I love those guys. They are a bunch of fools,” Parkinson said. “There’s like five or six guys here who are top of the line tight ends so that’s pretty cool. It was fun competing with all of them.”

Other News and Notes

During the final showcase portion of the camp that pits the best of the best, one prospect made Dilfer peel his eyes away from the quarterbacks: 5-star running back and Alabama pledge Najee Harris. 

After a series of impressive catches, Dilfer gushed about his physicality and his ability to make tough catches in space.

Harris lived up to his billing as the nation’s top overall prospect in the 2017 cycle, earning his second straight trip to The Opening in the process.

While Dylan McCaffrey was busy showcasing his skills, most observers entered the event hoping to get their first glance at the youngest of the McCaffrey brothers clan: 2019 quarterback Luke McCaffrey.

However, Dylan confirmed that his younger brother suffered a fractured collarbone recently and was unable to make the trip.

Of course, the brothers are the younger siblings of the McCaffrey clan that includes Stanford running back sensation Christian McCaffrey and former Duke receiver Max McCaffrey.

While most of the campers in attendance had their sights on getting to The Opening, one of the prominent alums from the 2016 class was in attendance to support them: 4-star linebacker and Washington signee Camilo Eifler. 

Eifler went public with his commitment to the Huskies at The Opening last year.

With the Oakland camp now in the rear view, this coming weekend’s camp in Seattle represents the final stop of the 14-city Nike Opening Regional circuit.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.