The Opening 2016: Meet the 8 Recruits Who Committed Live in Beaverton
BEAVERTON, Ore. — The 2016 rendition of The Opening came to a conclusion Sunday night, as more than 160 of the nation's top college football recruiting targets competed in multiple drills, seven-on-seven tournaments and lineman challenges.
Bleacher Report introduced the world to the commitments of 5-star wide receiver Tee Higgins (Clemson), 5-star defensive end Robert Beal (Georgia), 4-star offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert (Michigan), 4-star tight end Matt Dotson (Michigan State) and 4-star athlete CJ Holmes (Notre Dame) by way of "Commitment Week."
The Opening, held on the campus of Nike World Headquarters, also included eight 2017 athletes who announced their verbal commitments between Friday and Sunday either live in Beaverton, Oregon, via Bleacher Report or by way of ESPN. Four of those eight announced that they will play in the SEC.
During the live announcements, Georgia picked up two commitments, while LSU and Auburn added one. Florida State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Oregon also added to their classes. Here are the eight athletes, listed in alphabetical order.
4-Star OL Nick Brahms
1 of 8
Hometown (School): Navarre, Florida (Navarre HS)
Size: 6'4", 285 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 153 overall (No. 9 OG)
Committed to Auburn
Auburn scored another 4-star talent for its offensive line in Nick Brahms, who chose the Tigers over offers from Tennessee, Miami, Oregon and other programs.
Three months ago, Brahms didn't even have a player rating. He now is one of the most sought-after interior linemen in the country. Brahms is a beast in the trenches, and he's expected to get even better in Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn's offensive scheme.
Auburn, which now has 11 commits, has Brahms, 5-star tackle Calvin Ashley and 4-star tackle Austin Troxell headlining the 2017 class. The scary part: Brahms, at 6'4" and 285 pounds, is the smallest of the three linemen.
4-Star RB Toneil Carter
2 of 8
Hometown (School): Houston (Langham Creek HS)
Size: 5'10 ½", 197 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 107 overall (No. 5 RB)
Committed to Georgia
Georgia picked up a solid running back in Toneil Carter, someone who is expected to continue the trend of successful running backs to come out of the program.
Carter chose Georgia over offers from Texas A&M, LSU and others. He announced his commitment live via Bleacher Report. Carter visited Georgia back in March and told Bleacher Report that he was heavily impressed with the campus and the overall experience.
Carter rushed for 1,206 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. He rushed for 1,382 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.
4-Star DB Grant Delpit
3 of 8
Hometown (School): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)
Size: 6'3 ½", 181 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 92 overall (No. 9 S)
Committed to LSU
With 30 reported offers, Grant Delpit added to LSU's already-talented 2017 class. Delpit chose the Tigers over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Miami, Clemson and a host of other programs.
LSU is a school that likes to call itself "DBU," and Delpit is the first true defensive back in the 2017 class to give his verbal commitment to head coach Les Miles. He is the 15th commit for LSU.
Delpit transferred to IMG Academy in May after playing high school ball at Lamar High School in Houston. He is a long athlete who has coverage skills like a cornerback, but look for Delpit to be a reliable safety at the next level.
4-Star OL Robert Hainsey
4 of 8
Hometown (School): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)
Size: 6'4 ½", 276 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 70 overall (No. 4 OG)
Committed to Notre Dame
Sunday was a good day for Notre Dame, as the Fighting Irish landed a solid interior lineman prospect in Robert Hainsey. Projected to be a guard at the next level, Hainsey is the Irish's 15th pledge in the 2017 class.
Hainsey chose Notre Dame over offers from Michigan and Michigan State, according to his note on Twitter. He is described by IMG Academy coach Kevin Wright as a "self-made guy," someone who has worked hard to become an elite-level player.
Hainsey's blue-collar attitude should fit in well in head coach Brian Kelly's offense. He is a lineman who focuses on technique and tutelage to outplay larger defensive linemen.
4-Star APB Khalan Laborn
5 of 8
Hometown (School): Virginia Beach, Virginia (Bishop Sullivan Catholic)
Size: 5'10", 199 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 38 overall (No. 2 APB)
Committed to Florida State
Of the eight commitments at The Opening, none had more flair than the verbal from Khalan Laborn. The nation's No. 2 all-purpose back committed to Florida State with the help of a flag, some sunglasses and excited future teammates—and a Lamborghini.
Theatrics aside, Laborn is a big commitment for Florida State. He chose the Seminoles over offers from Virginia Tech and Auburn. He is the Seminoles' top-ranked offensive pledge.
Laborn is a quick back with good hands out of the backfield. He's a slippery athlete who will make defenders miss in the open field. With Laborn's commitment, Florida State now has 11 pledges.
3-Star TE Tre' McKitty
6 of 8
Hometown (School): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)
Size: 6'4", 235 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 452 overall (No. 18 TE)
Committed to Oregon
Oregon's 2017 recruiting class reached double figures on Sunday, as Tre' McKitty announced his verbal commitment. McKitty chose Oregon over Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and several other offers.
McKitty is a nice get for the Ducks, as he joins fellow 3-star tight end Moses Robinson-Carr in the class. McKitty had his share of options, as he had 32 reported offers.
McKitty's experience at The Opening was cut short after sustaining a rib injury Saturday during a seven-on-seven game. B.J. McKitty, Tre's father, told Bleacher Report that he had bruised ribs and would be fine with rest. Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports reported McKitty was at an area hospital Sunday for X-rays, which came back negative.
3-Star OL Jordan Reid
7 of 8
Hometown (School): Detroit (Cass Technical HS)
Size: 6'3 ½", 286 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 341 overall (No. 15 OG)
Committed to Michigan State
Cass Technical had four players at The Opening, and Jordan Reid held his own competing with the top offensive linemen and against the top defensive linemen. On Saturday, the interior lineman committed to Michigan State over offers from Michigan, Florida, Tennessee and Pittsburgh, among others.
Reid is the Spartans' 15th pledge in the 2017 class. His relationship with offensive line coach Mark Staten proved to be a major X-factor, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.
With Reid's commitment, Michigan now has four offensive linemen in its 2017 class. He joins fellow guards Kevin Jarvis and Matt Carrick in the class, as well as tackle Mustafa Khaleefah.
4-Star OL Andrew Thomas
8 of 8
Hometown (School): Atlanta (Pace Academy)
Size: 6'5", 310 lbs
247Sports Player Ranking: No. 49 overall (No. 10 OT)
Committed to Georgia
Just short of 30 reported offers, Andrew Thomas made Georgia fans happy when he announced his verbal commitment on Sunday. Together with the commitment of running back Toneil Carter, Georgia now has 15 commitments in the 2017 class.
Thomas is a top-10 offensive tackle who told Kipp Adams of 247Sports that he "committed to Georgia about 10 days ago." Clemson and Notre were two schools considered to be in the running for Thomas' services.
The Bulldogs now have four offensive linemen committed with Thomas' pledge. Thomas is the team's top-ranked offensive lineman commit.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
