The Opening 2015: Breaking Down Each Top-25 Class' Commits, Targets in Beaverton
An expansive collection of elite college football recruits invade Beaverton, Oregon, in July for The Opening, an annual prospect showcase held at Nike's world headquarters. The action, which begins July 5 with Elite 11 finals, features one-on-one showdowns, battles between linemen and a star-studded seven-on-seven tournament.
Plenty of collegiate programs will follow the competition closely, as many committed players are set to test their skills. Meanwhile, recruits who remain undecided have an opportunity to further entice teams seven months shy of national signing day.
Here's a look at athletes on the radar for each squad currently listed among the top 25 in 247Sports' composite class rankings.
25. Mississippi State
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The four most highly rated Bulldogs commitments are junior college prospects, who aren't involved with The Opening process. Mississippi State still has a lot of work to do, as its yet to land a 4-star high school recruit during this cycle.
The program covets in-state cornerback Nigel Knott, though Oregon is the team to beat for his commitment. Wide receiver A.J. Brown is another in-state prospect expected to attend The Opening.
Elite 11 finalist Dillon Sterling-Cole remains a primary concern for the Bulldogs, who are still in search of a 2016 quarterback.
24. Auburn
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Auburn legacy Stephen Davis Jr. should be fun to watch, as he brings a 6'4" frame into seven-on-seven coverage. His range presents possibilities at outside linebacker and safety.
Wide receiver Eli Stove, a 4-star talent who committed to the Tigers in late May, is considered a top-10 prospect at the position. He'll have a chance to separate himself from the pack while operating against elite defenders at The Opening.
Auburn recently hosted top-rated defensive tackle Rashan Gary, who roomed with Tigers freshman Byron Cowart in Beaverton last summer. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would love to land him and fellow 5-star tackle Derrick Brown, who should challenge Gary for defensive line MVP honors at the showcase.
Other Auburn targets in Oregon include in-state linebacker Ben Davis and Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield. Despite a commitment from quarterback Woody Barrett, keep an eye on Elite 11 finalist Jawon Pass.
23. Oregon
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An explosive Oregon offensive attack always seems to reload and that appears to be the case again with this 2016 class. Wide receivers Dillon Mitchell and Theo Howard both received invitations to The Opening.
This duo rates highly among potential college tandems in attendance. They'll be joined by newly committed running back Vavae Malepeai, a Hawaii product who could surge up national rankings with a strong performance.
The Ducks hold interest from several competitors, most notably Mississippi cornerback Nigel Knott and California tight end/defensive end Devin Asiasi. Linebacker LaMar Winston is the top-rated prospect in Oregon state rankings and likely to land in Eugene next year.
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22. Clemson
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Running back Tavien Feaster belongs in any discussion about the country's top running back recruit. He'll have the platform to prove his point in Beaverton.
North Carolina offensive lineman Sean Pollard will be expected to pave the way for Feaster in the future. The two can get to know each other better while competing at The Opening.
Tigers linebacker commit Rahshaun Smith also received an invitation.
Clemson only claims eight pledges at this point, so there are plenty of slots for head coach Dabo Swinney to fill. Defensive tackle Rashan Gary and offensive guard Parker Boudreaux are primary targets along the line, while Binjimen Victor remains a wide receiver of interest.
21. Stanford
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The Stanford offensive attack is about to get a boost from Elite 11 finalist KJ Costello and dynamic tight end Kaden Smith. Costello should be considered a top-tier contender in the competition, while Smith certainly commands attention as a potential No. 1 prospect at his position.
Cardinal linebacker commit Curtis Robinson also takes center stage in Beaverton. Expect his versatility to shine downfield in seven-on-seven action.
Costello will have an opportunity to enhance his relationship with high school teammate Dylan Crawford, an uncommitted 4-star wide receiver. California cornerback David Long, Texas linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch and Oregon linebacker LaMar Winston are other Stanford targets to keep tabs on at The Opening.
20. Texas Tech
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When searching for a "dark horse" to emerge as Elite 11 MVP, Texas Tech quarterback commit Jett Duffey stands out as a candidate. He pledged to the Red Raiders in May, replacing Tristen Wallace after the 4-star decommitted and eventually landed at Ohio State.
Duffey will throw to several Texas Tech targets during drills and seven-on-seven action in Oregon. Devin Duvernay, Tren'Davian Dickson and Tyrie Cleveland are in-state wide receivers coveted by the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech is in good shape early with 2017 prospect Jack Anderson, who may be the most dominant interior offensive lineman in his class. He will be a youngster in drills at The Opening, when rising seniors typically steal the show.
19. Duke
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Duke is well on its way toward one of its best recruiting classes ever, headlined by 4-star Virginia pass-catchers Scott Bracey and Mark Birmingham. However, at this point, the Blue Devils won't be represented in Beaverton.
Head coach David Cutcliffe would love to make another splash after landing Opening alum and 4-star linebacker Ben Humphreys last signing day. Duke faces an uphill battle for many of this year's participants but possibilities are in place.
The program's various pursuits feature Florida linebacker Jonathan Jones and Maryland offensive lineman Terrance Davis.
18. Tennessee
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Tennessee beat out Ohio State and Rutgers for 4-star New Jersey quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, an Elite 11 finalist. He plans to recruit hard on behalf of the Volunteers.
"I'm going to do everything I can to help build the best possible class around me," Guarantano told Bleacher Report.
He'll have a fellow Tennessee commit to help with the sales pitches, as North Carolina cornerback Marquill Osborne is also headed to Oregon.
Expect Guarantano to spend time encouraging running back Elijah Holyfield and wide receiver Kyle Davis to join him in the Volunteers offensive attack. Versatile athlete Mecole Hardman Jr., defensive tackle Derrick Brown and safety Nigel Warrior are each recruits of high interest from Georgia, while Florida cornerback Khalil Ladler also stands out.
17. Baylor
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Baylor's class doesn't feature any recruits currently expected to attend The Opening, though 5-star offensive tackle Patrick Hudson provides an outstanding foundation for this group.
The Bears are in the picture for plenty of prospects in Beaverton, including former Baylor wide receiver commit Tren'Davian Dickson. He remains a priority at the position, along with former Texas A&M pledge Tyrie Cleveland.
Defensively, the team could contend for 4-star secondary standouts Eric Monroe and Trayvon Mullen, a Florida native who listed Baylor fourth in his latest top 10.
"Not a lot of South Florida kids play college football in Texas, so I could be different," Mullen told Bleacher Report. "I feel like I could be a big fish."
16. Kentucky
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Few programs started the 2016 cycle as a hot as Kentucky, already approaching 20 commitments. In-state offensive lineman Drake Jackson helped spur things with a December pledge.
He earned an invitation to The Opening at a May regional in Columbus, Ohio, where he looked like a possible No. 1 prospect at center. Jackson is one of three quality offensive linemen currently committed to the Wildcats.
Kentucky isn't the front-runner for any uncommitted recruits in Beaverton but could make inroads with athletes who've reciprocated interest. Florida linebacker Jonathan Jones may be the most viable option, but other programs provide the Wildcats with steep competition.
15. Florida
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Defensive back Chauncey Gardner is one of two 4-star prospects who've committed to the Gators so far this cycle. He'll represent a class that carries significant room for growth, given the potential pledges that could arrive down the road.
The new Florida regime remains in pursuit of several difference-makers, including multiple Sunshine State standouts. Wide receiver Binjimen Victor and cornerback Trayvon Mullen are among top priorities on home turf.
The team's hunt for a quarterback could end with Texas gunslinger and Elite 11 finalist Dillon Sterling-Cole coming on board. North Carolina defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, a 5-star talent, is another out-of-state target who continues to express serious interest in the team.
14. Michigan
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Jim Harbaugh is beginning to hit his stride as a recruiter in Ann Arbor and evidence can be found at The Opening.
Quarterback commit Brandon Peters is an Elite 11 finalist. The Indiana product drew high praise from Harbaugh when he pledged, drawing comparisons to a former pupil of the head coach.
"He compared me to Andrew Luck," Peters told Bleacher Report. "It's a similar situation to what he had at Stanford, with Luck being the first quarterback recruit he brought in [with a full cycle]. He thinks I'm a really good fit for him at Michigan like Luck was for him there."
Detroit offensive lineman Michael Onwenu also makes the trip to Beaverton, where he can entrench himself among the class' top guard prospects.
Harbaugh is aiming high in this cycle, with 5-star targets including California linebacker Caleb Kelly, New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary and Wisconsin offensive tackle Ben Bredeson. Maryland offensive lineman Terrance Davis and New Jersey tight end Naseir Upshur are among other Opening competitors on the Wolverines' wish list.
13. TCU
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The Horned Frogs continue to capitalize on a sensational 2014 season and currently hold the No. 1 class among Big 12 teams. A pair of TCU's most talented commits will represent the class in Beaverton.
Linebacker Sewo Olonilua and offensive tackle Austin Myers each landed invitations. The 4-star tandem will look to secure some future teammates in the process, as several Lone Star State standouts remain uncommitted.
Wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland decommitted from Texas A&M, and TCU is looking to capitalize on the Aggies' loss. Jared Mayden may be the best cornerback in Texas and still has the Horned Frogs under serious consideration.
12. Penn State
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Quarterback commit Jake Zembiec secured the 18th and final invitation to Elite 11 finals. He'll join future backfield partner Miles Sanders, a 4-star prospect who is the third Penn State running back pledge to attend The Opening in the past two years.
Detroit defensive back Lavert Hill, a 4-star standout who surprised some with an early commitment to the Nittany Lions, will flash his skills in Oregon. The future of Penn State's defense will also be on display when Maryland edge-rusher Shane Simmons goes to work.
Head coach James Franklin has enjoyed recruiting success in New Jersey and now looks to pluck 4-star athlete Jordan Fuller out of the Garden State. Penn State is also in a strong position with 5-star California defensive end Oluwole Betiku, who is mentored by Nittany Lions legend LaVar Arrington.
11. USC
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New year, same story for USC.
The Trojans signed three linebackers who attended The Opening in 2014 and are well on the way toward adding to a stacked position again next year.
USC linebacker commits Mique Juarez and Daelin Hayes will compete in Beaverton. Both defenders present formidable physical frames and will be tested downfield in pass coverage.
The Trojans would love to add 5-star linebacker Caleb Kelly into the mix but there is ground to make up in that hunt. Offensive focus shifts to in-state high school teammates Tyler Vaughns and Trevon Sidney, who are each ranked as top-15 wide receivers.
Running back Melquise Stovall and offensive lineman Frank Martin II—both USC commits—are also on The Opening roster.
10. Texas A&M
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All eyes will be on top-rated offensive lineman Greg Little when he takes reps against New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary. The 5-star recruits are listed second and first overall, respectively, in composite 2016 rankings.
Little recently visited Ole Miss and Alabama but remains at the foundation of another strong Aggies class. It could grow much stronger with the addition of several targets expected to compete in Beaverton.
In-state defensive backs Eric Monroe and Deontay Anderson are paramount prospects for Texas A&M, along with wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson and cornerback Kristian Fulton. Top-rated 2017 interior offensive lineman Jack Anderson is high on the Aggies board and has a chance to show off his prowess against more experienced opponents.
Elite 11 finalist Dillon Sterling-Cole is a Texas A&M legacy and remains uncommitted. His other options include Arizona State, Houston and Florida.
9. UCLA
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This year won't be quite as exciting for UCLA fans as the 2014 Opening event, where 5-star quarterback commit Josh Rosen put his skills on display. Still, reasons for intrigue remain.
Jordan Parker, a 4-star cornerback who pledged to the Bruins in April, will battle for aerial control. However, the main concern centers on potential commitments.
Linebacker Caleb Kelly, tackle Boss Tagaloa and edge-rusher Oluwole Betiku are in-state standouts who would bolster UCLA's defensive attack. The team's quest for more offensive firepower focuses on Orange County wide receiver Dylan Crawford and New Jersey athlete Jordan Fuller, who could follow his older brother's footsteps to Los Angeles.
8. Ole Miss
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Ole Miss boasts one of the nation's premier quarterback-wide receiver combinations in this cycle, and both players will be in Beaverton. DeKaylin Metcalf, a 4-star pass-catcher and Rebels legacy, could team up with 5-star passer Shea Patterson in seven-on-seven action to provide folks with a peek at the future.
Last year we witnessed Alabama commits Blake Barnett and Calvin Ridley carve up opponents en route to a tournament title and MVP honors. Patterson and Metcalf may be the best bet to pull off a similar feat among players committed to the same university.
Ole Miss could add more offensive firepower in the form of A.J. Brown, an in-state receiver also expected in Oregon. Defensive tackle Rashan Gary and running back/linebacker Devin White are other high-value targets for the Rebels.
7. Georgia
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For Bulldogs fans, the focus is on 5-star quarterback Jacob Eason. He enters Elite 11 competition among the favorites to win MVP and is at the core of Georgia's class.
Offensive tackle E.J. Price hopes to protect Eason for years to come, and the two will have a chance to bond in Beaverton. They'll also be able to get some recruiting done at The Opening.
Expect Eason to court highly skilled wide receiver Kyle Davis, a Georgia product who recently decommitted from South Carolina, and 4-star running back Elijah Holyfield. Price should see some reps against 5-star defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who is viewed as a Bulldogs lean.
Safety Nigel Warrior and athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. are fellow undecided 4-star talents traveling from the Peach State. Georgia is also a legitimate contender for Florida cornerback Khalil Ladler.
6. Michigan State
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Michigan State is an early surprise in the 2016 cycle, catching fire with big-time commitments during the spring. Despite a flurry of 4-star additions, it's 3-star Illinois defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk who could command the spotlight while representing the Spartans in Beaverton.
Ohio quarterback Messiah deWeaver, who previously pledged to the former Michigan coaching regime, also joined the class this spring. He is one of six Elite 11 finalists from Big Ten Conference classes.
Despite his current commitment to Penn State, some believe 4-star defensive back Lavert Hill ultimately lands in East Lansing. Fellow Detroit product Donnie Corley, a coveted wide receiver, will also be at The Opening.
5. Alabama
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The Crimson Tide will be well represented as usual in Beaverton. Nick Saban is attempting to assemble a sixth straight top-rated recruiting class, so his roster in Tuscaloosa is loaded with The Opening alumni.
Alabama defensive commits can be seen throughout the week, with tackles Kendell Jones and Raekwon Davis set to do damage in the trenches. Recent pledge Jaquan Yulee, a Virginia linebacker, is also invited.
Saban would love to land a pair of 5-star linebackers in attendance. In-state standouts Lyndell Wilson and Ben Davis, a Crimson Tide legacy, are among Alabama's most coveted recruits in this cycle.
"They have all the national championships, an excellent coaching staff and very good structure," Davis told Bleacher Report. "Alabama always has one of the best recruiting classes every year, so I'm interested to see what kind of class they put together this year too."
Defensive tackles Rashan Gary and Rashard Lawrence are other 5-star possibilities for Saban. Maryland athlete Trevon Diggs wore Crimson Tide gloves at The Opening regional in Virginia and could make an impact on either side of the ball if he ends up at Alabama.
4. Miami
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Wide receiver Sam Bruce became a pivotal piece of the Hurricanes' 2016 class last summer when he committed. The speedster presents a serious challenge downfield for even the country's most impressive defensive backs.
Running back Travis Homer caught fire on the recruiting trail earlier this year and capped things off with a commitment to Miami in May. He'll look to keep momentum moving forward with a breakout effort in Oregon.
The 'Canes currently carry a nation-high 22 commitments on the 2016 recruiting trail, but key additions still lie ahead. New Jersey tight end Naseir Upshur and nearby defensive end Brian Burns are Miami targets who should excel at The Opening.
3. LSU
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The Tigers struggled through the air last season, finishing last among SEC programs in passing yards per game. LSU fans may enjoy an early glimpse of an improved future aerial assault during action in Oregon.
Elite 11 finalist Feleipe Franks, the nation's No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, committed to LSU last summer. He'll be joined in Beaverton by massive wide receiver Stephen Sullivan, a 6'5", 230-pound prospect who pledged to the Tigers as a sophomore.
Saivion Smith, a 5-star cornerback, continues LSU's annual run on elite talent in the defensive backfield. Expect him to rise to the challenge while tracking top receivers, along with fellow Tigers secondary pledge Andraez Williams.
Texas defensive lineman Erick Fowler will also be on hand representing Les Miles' latest class. Fellow LSU commit Dylan Moses, a running back and linebacker widely considered the top overall prospect in 2017, is among a small group of rising juniors invited to attend.
In-state defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence remains uncommitted. He's a 5-star Tigers target worth monitoring, along with Texas safety Eric Monroe.
2. Ohio State
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This Buckeyes class includes a pair of elite running backs primed to star in Beaverton. Kareem Walker and Demario McCall are rated first and second, respectively, among 2016 rushers, and this could be the beginning of a friendly rivalry that extends to Ohio State in coming years.
Defensive end Jonathon Cooper, tight end Jake Hausmann, wide receiver Austin Mack and McCall each earned invitations to Beaverton after impressive efforts at The Opening regional in Columbus. They're part of an elite collection of future Buckeyes talent headed to Oregon in July, where Cooper plans to recruit 5-star Notre Dame offensive tackle commit Tommy Kraemer.
"We're definitely still working on him," Cooper told Bleacher Report. "We still have the whole trip in Oregon and there are a lot of [Ohio State commits] out there."
Pennsylvania cornerback Damar Hamlin, New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary and Michigan wide receiver Donnie Corley can also expect to receive consistent sales pitches from the future Buckeyes.
1. Florida State
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This competition should provide an early opportunity to watch Florida State commits Malik Henry and Isaac Nauta work together against quality defenders. The duo was supposed to spend their senior season together until Henry, a 5-star quarterback, departed IMG Academy.
Nauta, a 5-star tight end, is the top-ranked prospect at his position. The same can be said for fellow Seminoles pledge Levonta Taylor, a cornerback who will operate one-on-one against many of the country's premier wide receivers and likely compete for the SPARQ national title.
Last year, we witnessed No. 1 cornerback recruit and eventual USC enrollee Iman Marshall validate his hype. It's Taylor's turn this time around.
"I'm ready to prove myself against the best in the nation," Taylor told Bleacher Report after setting a personal best in the 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds) at The Opening regional in Virginia.
Miami linebacker Jamel Cook, who committed to Florida State in February, will also be in attendance. So will top-ranked center Baveon Johnson.
The Seminoles have sights set on several standout defenders in Beaverton, including North Carolina tackle Dexter Lawrence, Alabama linebacker Ben Davis and in-state cornerback Trayvon Mullen.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
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