The Opening 2014: Breaking Down Each Top-25 Team's Commits, Targets in Beaverton
Perhaps the biggest event of the offseason for a recruit is The Opening. Set to take place July 7-10 in Oregon, 162 of the nation's top prospects will compete for several days in Beaverton.
Some recruits will come into the event already committed, while others will be top targets for programs. Looking at the final Top 25 AP Poll from last season, many schools have either a commitment or target who will be at The Opening.
Alabama has several future players scheduled to attend the event, while USC will likely be interested in hearing how a few of its targets fared. Plus, Michigan State has a quarterback commitment participating in the Elite 11 Finals.
25. Washington
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None of Washington's three commitments are scheduled to appear at The Opening. However, the Huskies do have a few targets who will be working out at the event.
Keisean Lucier-South, a 5-star defensive end, will be coming to Beaverton to punish opposing offensive linemen with his speed. At 6'5" and 225 pounds, the California native has an ideal frame for a young pass-rusher.
The next target for U-Dub at The Opening is 5-star defensive tackleย Rasheem Green, who is coveted by many schools. Washington also is in on 4-star centerย Fred Ulu-Perryย and 4-star linebacker/receiverย Ben Humphreys.ย
24. Vanderbilt
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Vanderbilt doesn't have a commitment or target at the The Opening. However, one recruit who deserves to be there who is considering the Commodores is 4-star defensive linemanย Canton Kaumatule.
The Hawaiian weighs 275 pounds and is nearly 6'7". His size, strength and motor help him menace offensive linemen down after down. He warrants an invitation to the event.ย
23. Duke
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Although Duke is another school without a connection to The Opening, it is big-game hunting in this recruiting cycle.
The Blue Devils are hustling hard for 4-star talents such as safetyย Rashad Roundtree, defensive endย Darian Roseboroย and running backsย Nyheim Hinesย andย Johnny Frasier.
All four prospects are good enough to have been invited.ย
22. Wisconsin
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Wisconsin's coaching staff likely will not pay much attention to what shakes out at The Opening. The Badgers lack a commitment participating in the event, plus none of their top targets appear to have been invited.
However, head coach Gary Andersen has his squad in the mix for 4-star linebacker/athleteย Osa Masina, as well as 4-star running backย Michael Weber.ย
21. Arizona State
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Brady Whiteย is an Arizona State pledge who will be at The Opening. The 4-star quarterback will be looking to showcase his skills in the Elite 11 Finals, plus wow observers during seven-on-seven games.
His teammate at Hart High School in California is 4-star receiverย Trent Irwin, who also will be on hand. Both players are 6'2" and 190 pounds, and they'll be looking to connect on passing plays throughout their time in Beaverton.
Other targets at The Opening for the Sun Devils include 4-star receiverย Christian Kirkย andย 4-star athleteย Kirk Merritt.
20. Notre Dame
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With several top targets at the event, Notre Dame's coaching staff should have a keen interest in what unfolds at The Opening.
Cornerbacksย Iman Marshallย andย Kendall Sheffieldย andย defensive endย Keisean Lucier-Southย are 5-star targets for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame also is in on 4-star quarterbackย Travis Waller, 4-star receiverย Cordell Broadus, 4-star offensive linemanย Matthew Burrellย and 4-star cornerbackย Frank Buncom IV.ย
Jerry Tillery, a 4-star offensive tackle, is a Notre Dame commitment who has been invited.ย
19. USC
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Chuma Edogaย is a 5-star offensive lineman who is committed to USC. He will be joined at The Opening by fellow Trojan pledge and 4-star linebackerย Cameron Smith.
USC has top targets such as 5-star cornerbackย Iman Marshall, 5-star defensive tackleย Rasheem Green, 5-star defensive endย Keisean Lucier-South, 5-star linebackerย John Houston, 5-star defensive backย Tarvarus McFaddenย and 4-star receiverย Christian Kirkย all headed to The Opening.
Other targets such as 4-star safetyย Marvell Tell, 4-star defensive backย DeChaun Holiday, 4-star receiverย Cordell Broadusย andย 4-star athleteย Isaiah Langleyย will also be on hand.ย
18. Texas A&M
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Quarterbackย Kyler Murrayย and defensive linemanย Daylon Mackย will lead the way for Texas A&M at The Opening. It will be neat to see how the 5-star commitments do during the event.
However, they will not be alone in Beaverton. Fellow pledges such as 4-star safetyย Larry Pryor, 4-star defensive backย Justin Dunningย and 4-star tight endย Jordan Davisย will also be with Murray and Mack.
Texas A&M's four biggest remaining targets are 5-star cornerbackย Kendall Sheffield,ย 5-star linebackerย Malik Jefferson, 5-star receiverย Damarkus Lodgeย and 4-star receiverย Christian Kirk.ย
They will all be in Beaverton next month.ย
17. Oklahoma State
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Jaylon Laneย is an Oklahoma State commitment who will be at The Opening. The 4-star defensive back will likely be recruiting for the Cowboys when he is not working on his game.
He will definitely speak with 5-star receiverย Tyron Johnsonย in Beaverton, as the Louisiana native could do some serious damage in Stillwater.
16. UCLA
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The recruit who will be carrying the flag for UCLA at The Opening is 5-star quarterbackย Josh Rosen. The California native pledged to the Bruins earlier this spring, plus he's capable of recruiting like a coach.
He'll be getting in the ears of 5-star defensive linemanย Rasheem Green, 5-star cornerbackย Iman Marshall,ย 5-star linebackerย John Houston, 4-star safetyย Marvell Tell, 4-star defensive backย DeChaun Holidayย andย 4-star cornerbackย Frank Buncom IV.
Rosen will also be looking to win the Elite 11 quarterback MVP.
15. Louisville
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Louisville doesn't have a commitment who will be at The Opening. However, the Cardinals have offered a few prospects who will be in attendance.
Head coach Bobby Petrino is trying to land 4-star quarterbackย Deondre Francois, 5-star receiver/athleteย George Campbell, 3-star cornerbackย Duke Shelleyย and 3-star offensive linemanย Darryl Williams.
All of them will be working out July 7-10 in Beaverton.ย
14. LSU
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The Opening will feature several LSU commitments, including 5-star cornerbackย Kevin Toliver IIย and 5-star offensive tackleย Maea Teuhema.
Nick Brossette, a 4-star running back, will represent the Tigers at the event.
LSU is not without big targets at the event, as 5-star quarterbackย Torrance Gibson, 5-star cornerbacksย Iman Marshallย andย Kendall Sheffield, 5-star receiversย Tyron Johnsonย andย Damarkus Lodgeย and 5-star defensive backย Tarvarus McFaddenย willย all be there.
13. Baylor
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A ton of elite targets for Baylor will be attending The Opening. For starters, the 5-star trio of receiverย Damarkus Lodge, linebackerย Malik Jeffersonย and cornerbackย Kendall Sheffieldย will be tracked by the Bears through next February.
The same can be said for 4-star running backย Soso Jamaboย andย 4-star cornerbackย Holton Hill. Baylor also has some interest in Xavier Lewis, a 4-star cornerback from Louisiana.ย
12. Ohio State
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Just because Ohio State doesn't have a commitment going to The Opening doesn't mean its presence won't be felt in Beaverton.
The Buckeyes are in on several prime prospects who are scheduled to attend the event. Defensive endย Josh Sweat, linebackerย Malik Jeffersonย and defensive backย Tarvarus McFaddenย are 5-star prospects that Ohio State likes.
The Buckeyes are also hunting 4-star talents such as receiverย Christian Kirk, offensive linemanย Drew Richmond, receiverย Van Jefferson, safetyย Will Sunderland, offensive linemanย Matthew Burrellย and running backย Soso Jamabo.ย
11. Stanford
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No Stanford pledges will be working out at The Opening. However, several targets will be on hand.
Receiverย Trent Irwinย and cornerbackย Frank Buncom IVย are 4-star prospects who could line up against each other at some point.ย Rasheem Greenย is a 5-star defensive lineman who can play end or tackle, while 4-star running backย Soso Jamaboย is already 6'3" and 210 pounds.
Stanford is also recruiting 4-star linebacker/receiverย Ben Humphreysย andย 5-star cornerbackย Iman Marshall.ย
10. UCF
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Central Florida isn't usually in the mix for elite prospects. However, the Knights do have a few connections to The Opening.
UCF would love to land 5-star quarterbackย Torrance Gibson, while it is trying to hold the attention of 5-star athlete/receiverย George Campbell. Another player in attendance who is on Central Florida's radar is 5-star defensive backย Tarvarus McFadden.ย
9. Oregon
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Taj Griffin, a speedy 4-star running back from Georgia, is the lone Oregon commitment headed to The Opening.
The Ducks, however, do have many targets coming to the event.ย Byron Cowartย andย Rasheem Greenย are 5-star defensive linemen who are looking to impress, while 4-star receiverย Ryan Newsomeย and 4-star running backย Soso Jamaboย are also considering playing in Eugene.
Other recruits such as 5-star linebackerย Malik Jefferson, 4-star safetyย Marvell Tellย and 4-star quarterbackย Blake Barnettย are possibilities for Oregon.ย
8. Clemson
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Two Clemson pledges are scheduled to be in Beaverton, as 5-star offensive tackleย Mitch Hyattย and 4-star receiverย Deon Cainย will attend The Opening.
The Tigers' top targets such as 5-star receiver/athleteย George Campbell, 5-star defensive back Tarvarus McFadden,ย 4-star receiverย Van Jeffersonย and 3-star cornerbackย Duke Shelleyย will also be there.
7. Alabama
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For Alabama, it's more about which commitments have not been invited to The Opening. That's how many commitments are attending.
It starts with 5-star cornerbackย Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is the top player in the Crimson Tide's class.
He will be joined by 4-star guardย Lester Cotton, defensive linemanย Jonathan Ledbetter, safetyย Deionte Thompson, receiverย Calvin Ridley, tackle/guardย Richie Petitbonย and guardย Dallas Warmack.ย Montrell Custis, a 3-star cornerback, is also headed to The Opening.
Top targets for Alabama who will be at the event include 5-star offensive tackleย Martez Ivey, 5-star linebackerย Malik Jefferson, 5-star defensive linemanย Daron Payne, 5-star cornerbackย Kendall Sheffieldย and 5-star defensive tackleย Tim Settle.
Plus, 4-star quarterbackย Travis Wallerย is also a wanted man in Tuscaloosa.
6. Oklahoma
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Oklahoma's lone commitment at The Opening will be 4-star cornerbackย PJ Mbanasor. The Sooners also have their eyes on 5-star linebackerย Malik Jefferson, 5-star cornerbackย Kendall Sheffield, 5-star receiverย Tyron Johnsonย and 4-star running backย Soso Jamabo.ย
It'll be up to Mbanasor to make sure OU has a big presence at the event.
5. Missouri
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Representing Missouri will be 4-star quarterbackย Drew Lock. At 6'5" and 195 pounds, Lock's strong arm is sure to wow observers each time he launches passes in Beaverton.
The Tigers do not appear to have any top targets slated to be in attendance. However, Lock is talented enough to carry Mizzou's flag all by himself for a few days.
4. South Carolina
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Mark Fieldsย andย Sherrod Pittmanย are 4-star prospects who are committed to South Carolina. They also will be at The Opening.
Fields is a solid cornerback, while Pittman is a linebacker with good range. Among the Gamecocks' biggest targets in attendance will be 5-star offensive tackleย Martez Ivey, 5-star cornerbackย Tarvarus McFadden, 4-star offensive tackleย Matthew Burrellย and 4-star defensive backย Jaquan Johnson.ย
3. Michigan State
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For Michigan State, The Opening will be centered on one commitment and one target.ย Brian Lewerkeย is a 3-star quarterback who pledged to the Spartans in April.
Should the Arizona native spin it well in Beaverton, he could see another star added by his name.ย Chris Clarkย is an uncommitted 4-star tight end who can block like an offensive lineman. He needs to make sure he makes a big impact in the seven-on-seven portion of the event.ย
2. Auburn
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Auburn likely will not have any commitments at The Opening, but it still will be talked about at the event.
The Tigers are a key suitor for several players who will be in attendance, such as 5-star quarterbackย Torrance Gibson, 5-star defensive linemanย Daron Payne, 5-star offensive linemanย Martez Iveyย and 4-star linebackerย Roquan Smith.ย
Receiverย Christian Kirk, offensive tackleย Drew Richmondย and running backย Jacques Patrickย are 4-star prospects who are also on Auburn's radar.
1. Florida State
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Derwin James, a 5-star safety, will be joined at The Opening by 4-star cornerbackย Tyrekย Cole, 4-star safetyย Calvinย Brewtonย and 3-star quarterbackย De'Andreย Johnsonย as Florida State commitments.
The Seminoles also are in the mix for 5-star defensive endย Josh Sweat, 5-star defensive backย Tarvarusย McFadden, 5-star defensive tackleย Tim Settle, 4-star receiverย Da'Vanteย Phillips,ย 4-star running backย Jacques Patrick, 4-star defensive endย Austin Bryantย and 4-star receiverย John Burt.
James told the following to Adamย Krohnย ofย Rivals.comย (subscription required)ย on June 16:ย "FSU is automatic. It's my dream school no matter what."
All invitations to The Opening are per thisย list atย StudentSports.com.
All recruiting ratings and rankings are fromย 247Sports' Composite Rankings. Player evaluations are based on review of tape atย Scout.com,ย Rivalsย andย 247Sports.
Edwinย Weathersbyย is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.
