The Opening 2016: Biggest Takeaways from Day 1

BEAVERTON, Oregon — Tuesday marked the first day of The Opening as the first wave of players shuffled into the Portland area for the weeklong competition at Nike’s World Headquarters.

In a change to the event’s format, all quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends arrived at the beginning of the week, whereas it was just passers in previous years who arrived early.

A late afternoon, light practice session served as the first time the players hit the field, but there was plenty of news surrounding the beginning of the event.

What were the biggest takeaways from the event on the first day of action? 

Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting nuggets from Day 1 of The Opening.

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Trent Dilfer (@TDESPN) giving the QBs, WRs & TEs much-needed advice for the upcoming week.#TheOpening #Elite11 pic.twitter.com/zueBdRNqh4

— Damon Sayles (@DamonSayles) July 6, 2016"

5-Star WR Locks in 3 Official Visits

Among the headliners of the event is 5-star receiver Joseph Lewis—who rates as the nation’s No. 2 pass-catcher and the No. 11 player overall in the 2017 cycle.

He’s accompanied in Oregon by a pair of teammates from Hawkins High School in Los Angeles in 4-star athlete and Arizona pledge Greg Johnson and 2018 receiver Jalen Hall.

Lewis remarked on the feeling of being here with two of his close friends.

“It’s a really good experience because most people don’t get this opportunity,” Lewis told Bleacher Report. “We just want to come together and work and just enjoy this experience and get better.” 

The 6’1 ½”, 207-pound California native is also preparing for the final moments of his recruiting process.

On that front, he’s identified three programs who will get one of his coveted official visits in the fall.

“Some of my official visits, I’m going to Nebraska, Arizona and Oklahoma. That’s about it that I have in mind right now. The rest, I will plan out [soon],” Lewis said.

Additionally, backyard powers UCLA and USC are in the mix with the local standout.

In particular, he’s struck up a bond with Trojans offensive coordinator Tee Martin.

“It’s a really cool relationship. I was just talking with Tee Martin earlier. It was a really good talk,” Lewis noted.

Lewis said a final decision could come either at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl or on national signing day.

However, there will be a few factors that play a big part in his decision.

“Somewhere I’m comfortable and somewhere my mom thinks is a good place and where my coaches do too.”

(Warning: Video contains NSFW lyrics.)

Lindsey Set to Visit SEC Powers This Month

Another explosive playmaker who will command attention this week is 5-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey.

The 5’8 ½”, 180-pounder is nearing the home stretch in his recruitment considering he’s scheduled to announce his commitment on August 22. 

Among the schools on his short list are Alabama, Auburn, Nebraska, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and USC.

Lindsey’s last trip was to Nebraska last month. He visited a majority of his finalists in the spring.

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"T H E D A Y" AUGUST 22nd I WILL BE COMMITTING TO ONE OF THESE 9 SCHOOLS. Thank you! #StayTuned... pic.twitter.com/xFSu4DeUCR

— Tyjon A. Lindsey ® (@tyjonlindsey) June 5, 2016"

However, he’s locked in plans to make a long trek to the southeast to visit two more of his finalists.

“I just finalized my dates to visit Alabama and Auburn. I’m visiting Alabama July 15-16 and Auburn on 17-18. It’s a one-way trip, and I’m hitting up both schools while I’m there,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey notes that a return trip to one of his favorites could also be in the works.

“Those are the main schools. I probably want to see Ohio State again. I’m taking all of my visits now. I’ve been planning it out and checking it with my list,” Lindsey said.

The Golden State standout reported a 3.5 cumulative GPA with plans to major in journalism or sports broadcasting. In addition to academics, his decision will hinge on a few important factors.

“It’s about comfort. It’s also about the difference between want and need. Most schools can just want somebody to fill a spot and just to say we have this person,” Lindsey explained. “The deciding factor will be finding the school who needs me and wants to get me on the field and help me become a better man. It’s not just about football. It’s about the lifetime after football.”

Georgia QB Pledge Reacts to DE Robert Beal’s Commitment 

The fireworks have already begun with respect to players announcing their college choices at the event.

Georgia is one of the early big winners after they landed a pledge from 5-star defensive end Robert Beal.

Four-star Georgia quarterback commit Jake Fromm was all smiles after he learned of his newest future teammate who will be joining him in Athens.

“That’s awesome. He’s another guy I’m going to have to deal with in practice,” Fromm said. “He’s going to be coming after me, but that’s awesome. He’s a great talent and a high character guy. We’re building this Georgia class to a level it should be at.”

The news came as a surprise to him.

“To be honest, I was shocked when I saw the video. It’s incredible news,” Fromm said.

Upon arriving at the event, Fromm made sure to greet receiver and Bulldogs target Jeremiah Holloman.

The big-bodied receiver is just one of the guys Fromm admits he will be pitching to cast their lot for new Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.

“Jeremiah and [4-star] Nico Collins are two great receivers. Definitely, Cam Akers too. He’s a great guy and a great player. I’m just trying to get these guys to get on board with us,” Fromm said.

Clemson QB Pledge Excited to Work With Fellow Tigers

It’s hard to wipe the smile off the face of 5-star quarterback and current Clemson commit Hunter Johnson these days.

The nation’s top-rated pro-style passer in the 2017 cycle and the No. 17 player overall in the 2017 class couldn’t hide his enthusiasm after the event’s first workout concluded.

“It’s great. It’s the perfect setting with perfect weather. It’s awesome to be around all these top athletes. It’s a good feeling,” Johnson said.

He’s also giddy at the thought of working with a pair of receivers he will be throwing to in college: 5-star Tee Higgins and 4-star Amari Rodgers. 

“It’s very exciting. Those two guys are going to make my life a lot easier. I was ecstatic to hear the news about Tee committing. I just can’t wait for us to get there,” Johnson said.

As an added bonus, he will get to work with current Tigers All-American quarterback Deshaun Watson—who along with BYU’s Tanner Mangum and Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs are three college counselors already in town for the event.

It’s becoming a habit for Johnson and Watson to bump into each other on the summer camp circuit, and Johnson admits he’s relishing the opportunity to learn from the current face of the Tigers program.

“It’s awesome. This is actually like my fourth time being around him this summer, just seeing him at different camps,” Johnson said. “That is helping us build a good relationship, which is pretty cool.”

Watson has also given his potential future successor some words of wisdom about the right mindset to take in preparing for the jump between high school and college.

“[Watson] just told me about when he came in during his freshman year. He just came in with a mindset that he wanted to play and he did that. I just want to come in with an open mind and be ready to go when I get there.”

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