The Opening 2015: Ranking the Top 25 Recruits in Attendance

More than 160 of America's most accomplished high school football players are expected to compete at The Opening, held July 6-10 at Nike's world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

This annual showcase is considered the country's premier event for coveted college prospects and continually produces eventual college and NFL stars. From Elite 11 finals action featuring top-tier quarterback recruits to one-on-one battles between dominant big men in the trenches, there's no better place for a young player to show he's worthy of the hype.

The field is rife with sensational talents. Through film and in-person assessments, we ranked the 25 best athletes who are expected to attend.

Some are certain to rise or fall on this list based on the way they perform in Beaverton, but each enters with a big target on his back.

25. 2016 DT Ed Oliver

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Westfield (Houston)

Size: 6'2", 277 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Houston

Ed Oliver displays skill-player athleticism in a big man's body. He shows that on each snap with a first step that puts him in great position to penetrate into the backfield.

His bull-rush technique is advanced, and Oliver impresses by routinely attempting to strip opponents of the ball. He posted career highs in 2014, tallying 84 tackles and seven sacks.

24. 2016 OT Willie Allen

Credit: 247Sports

High School: John Curtis (New Orleans)

Size: 6'7½", 300 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss

From a physical standpoint, scouts can't ask for a more college-ready offensive tackle. Willie Allen is a grown man playing a kid's game in high school, and that's clear in his game film.

The task will be taller in Beaverton, but Allen holds enough of a mental edge to bear down and dominate against elevated competition. His agenda in run settings is to eliminate at least two defenders on every play, and it's a goal he often achieves.

23. 2016 LB Caleb Kelly

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Clovis West (Fresno, California)

Size: 6'3", 215 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Oregon

Caleb Kelly is a hybrid defender who can do so much at one position. His pass-coverage skills set him apart from the pack at outside linebacker, and there will be plenty of opportunities for him to show that element off during seven-on-seven action at The Opening.

He's aggressive against the run, serving up serious hits by blowing up rushing lanes before they fully develop. Kelly's skills were on full display during a 20-tackle game last October that featured four takedowns for loss.

22. 2016 RB Demario McCall

Credit: 247Sports

High School: North Ridgeville (North Ridgeville, Ohio)

Size: 5'11", 180 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Ohio State

Demario McCall is a motivated, all-around threat out of the offensive backfield. He spends most plays sprinting away from opponents but embraces contact and actually aims to play H-back at Ohio State.

His shiftiness is incredible, allowing him to escape traffic and work his way open as a receiver. McCall put the total package on display as a junior, collecting 2,842 all-purpose yards and 38 touchdowns, according to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. 

21. 2016 LB Ben Davis

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Gordo (Gordo, Alabama)

Size: 6'3", 240 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU and Ole Miss

Ben Davis, the son of all-time Alabama tackles leader Wayne Davis, continues to create a name for himself. The rangy outside linebacker is a physical specimen who keeps gaining quality mass and strength.

He's an ideal edge-setter who instinctively reacts to plays with ferocity. Davis forced five fumbles last season and tallied 85 tackles and four sacks.

20. 2016 S Eric Monroe

Credit: 247Sports

High School: North Shore (Houston)

Size: 6'0", 180 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to LSU

Lone Star State safety Eric Monroe pushed LSU to the No. 1 spot in 247Sports' class rankings when he committed in June. The ball hawk patrols his secondary with authority, dishing out jarring hits on a regular basis.

Monroe is active against the run, bursting upfield once he identifies where the rusher is headed. It's easy to confuse him for an outside linebacker when he's wreaking havoc near the line of scrimmage, and he will only continue to grow larger and stronger.

19. 2016 DT Rashard Lawrence

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Neville (Monroe, Louisiana)

Size: 6'3", 305 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss and TCU

Rashard Lawrence is an enforcer at the heart of the defensive front, flashing an overwhelming combination of power and agility that's difficult to contain. He does a great job of keeping his eyes on the backfield, reacting to his read and bullying anyone situated between him and the ball.

He wraps up well and doesn't let rushers escape his grip, burying them into the turf without help. Though Lawrence is more advanced as a run defender right now, he appears capable of contributing to a collegiate pass rush on every down at times.

18. 2016 DE Nick Bosa

Credit: 247Sports

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Size: 6'4", 265 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Ohio State

Nick Bosa is the younger brother of star Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa and will likely follow the same path to Columbus. He competes with a similar motor and already exhibits an effective swim-and-rip move. 

His dominance along the outside edge is a credit to the physicality he inflicts at the point of attack, unsettling offensive linemen with a devastating first punch. Bosa tallied 56 tackles—29.5 for loss—and five sacks last season.

17. 2016 RB Tavien Feaster

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Spartanburg (Spartanburg, South Carolina)

Size: 6'0", 204 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Clemson

Tavien Feaster comes from the same town as former standout college running backs Stephen Davis and Marcus Lattimore and brims with major star potential of his own. He can contributes in any phase of an offensive attack, displaying power, elite speed and soft hands.

Few high school running backs flash Feaster's vision for rushing lanes, and he's quick to exploit any defensive seams. He rushed for 2,582 yards and 30 touchdowns during the past two seasons, adding another seven scores as a receiver in 2014.

16. 2017 CB Deangelo Gibbs

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Georgia)

Size: 6'2", 204 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee and USC 

Deangelo Gibbs could be accurately labeled as the "next big thing" among America's defensive backs. The rising junior already makes a case as the country's top high school cornerback and can cement his stature by shutting down older, accomplished wide receivers in Beaverton.

He grew up training with uncle and longtime NFL wide receiver Jake Reed, developing coveted skills at an early age. His breakout moment as an underclassman came in 2013, when he ended current Missouri wide receiver Nate Brown's season-long touchdown streak and limited him to three catches.

15. 2016 DT Julian Rochester

Credit: 247Sports

High School: McEachern (Powder Springs, Georgia)

Size: 6'5½", 315 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia

Julian Rochester is yet another beastly defensive lineman from the Peach State, which seems to perennially produce elite playmakers at the position. He is a rare plug-and-play talent up front given his massive frame and overall lack of fundamental flaws.

Rochester is a power rusher and can destroy quarterback's plans through the offensive interior by driving his opponents backward before disengaging and finishing the effort. He secured 116 tackles—25 for loss—and 12 sacks last season.

14. 2016 DE Shavar Manuel

Credit: 247Sports

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Size: 6'4", 290 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Florida, Florida State and LSU

Shavar Manuel is the latest addition to a stacked IMG Academy squad after transferring from Blake High School in Tampa, where he rose to prominence as a feared defensive end. His junior campaign included 61 tackles and 20 sacks.

He utilizes immense burst off the snap, typically knocking offensive linemen back on their heels to take control of the matchup. Manuel is relentless as a pass-rusher and commands additional blocking help on his side of the line.

13. 2016 WR Nate Craig-Myers

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Florida)

Size: 6'2", 205 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Auburn and Florida State

Nate Craig-Myers, a former Auburn pledge, is on the road back to asserting himself as the top 2016 pass-catcher after suffering a season-ending leg injury last September. He hauled in 12 touchdown receptions as an underclassman and seemed primed to expand that total in 2014.

Craig-Myers warrants the nickname "Nitro Nate" because of his top-end speed, and he's able to utilize it on screen passes and quick slants that send him into space. Possibly no offensive skill player in this group can inflict more damage on a defense when the ball is in his hands, as a receiver or runner.

12. 2017 OT Calvin Ashley

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Florida)

Size: 6'7", 307 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Auburn

It may be hard to believe, but this man-child just finished his sophomore year. He warranted nearly 20 offers as an underclassman before announcing his intentions to become a Tiger.

Calvin Ashley is remarkably coordinated for an athlete of his stature and could return to The Opening next summer in the 6'8", 320-pound range. When he does, it's hard to imagine any 2017 lineman challenging him atop this list.

11. 2016 DT Dexter Lawrence

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Wake Forest (Wake Forest, North Carolina)

Size: 6'5", 310 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and North Carolina State

Dexter Lawrence is a three-down defender who brings multiple dimensions to the front line. He commands double-team blocking schemes and breaks through with sheer brute strength.

Though power is most paramount to his approach at this point in his career, outstanding agility is also apparent in his effectiveness as he penetrates the passing pocket with consistency. Lawrence recorded 111 tackles—44 for loss—and 15 sacks during the past two campaigns.

10. 2016 CB Saivion Smith

Credit: 247Sports

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

Size: 6'1", 175 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to LSU

In a powerhouse high school program filled with stars, Saivion Smith shines brightest. His size and quickness equip him to handle receivers of all kinds, and he'll have a chance to prove that in Oregon.

Smith is a dogged defender who closes in a hurry with rare reaction time. He's a guy you can trust to put on an island at any point in the game.

He secured 67 tackles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries as a junior.

9. 2016 LB Lyndell Wilson

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Carver (Montgomery, Alabama)

Size: 6'2", 220 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU

Lyndell "Mack" Wilson travels to Oregon as the top-rated linebacker in his class. He has the making of an All-SEC defender, and this recruitment may ultimately shape up as another Alabama-Auburn showdown.

Wilson contributes throughout the front seven, as he's adept at identifying rushing plays and pulling the trigger as a pass-rusher with tenacity. He totaled 155 tackles, 16 sacks and five interceptions during the past two seasons.

8. 2016 OT Tommy Kraemer

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Elder (Cincinnati)

Size: 6'5", 305 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Notre Dame

Tommy Kraemer is a technician at offensive tackle. His pad level and hand placement are always on point and augmented by outstanding reach.

He stays extended while engaged with defenders, maintaining desired balance along the way. Kraemer can pile up the pancakes and keeps rumbling along through the whistle.

7. 2016 CB Levonta Taylor

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Size: 5'11", 182 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida State

Meet Levonta Taylor, the front-runner for a SPARQ national title. The honor is awarded annually to the top athlete in attendance, and the cornerback will be difficult to contend with if he's healthy. 

Taylor recorded a personal-best 40-yard dash at an April regional camp, completing the sprint in 4.34 seconds. Speed is only a part of what makes him a true high-caliber cover corner, though, as he also initiates opponents with aggressiveness that can rattle some receivers.

Taylor tallied 40 tackles, three interceptions and 12 touchdowns in 2014, per MaxPreps. Five of those came on defense and special teams.

6. 2016 DT Derrick Brown

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Lanier (Buford, Georgia)

Size: 6'4", 314 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee

Derrick Brown delivers his best effort on each snap, wearing down the offensive front over the course of four quarters. He's a quick-trigger athlete who leaves opposing linemen stumbling with an arsenal of moves that flash some finesse.

He erupted for 101 tackles—26 for loss—and 17.5 sacks in 2014. His violent approach at the point of attack is exactly what coaches search for to set the defensive tone early and often.

5. 2016 QB Shea Patterson

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, Louisiana)

Size: 6'2", 195 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Ole Miss

Shea Patterson has been on the national recruiting radar for practically his entire high school career, having committed to Arizona after his freshman season. He backed off that pledge last year and later became the catalyst for an impressive Ole Miss class.

He's an all-around playmaker who competes with confidence and leads his peers. Patterson picked apart defenses during the past two seasons, completing 63 percent of his throws for 5,083 yards, 72 scores and seven interceptions. 

His improvisational skills outside the pocket make him one of the 2016 class' most exciting athletes to watch.

4. 2016 OT Greg Little

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Allen (Allen, Texas)

Size: 6'5½", 305 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Texas A&M

Greg Little entered high school as a tight end but transitioned to tackle as his frame grew, while maintaining elite athleticism for his size. He helped anchor the offensive line during state championship runs in 2013 and 2014, protecting 2014 Elite 11 finalist and Aggies freshman quarterback Kyler Murray.

High school linemen usually don't come assembled like Little, who moves laterally with ease to cut off blitzers and pounds defenders downfield to spearhead rushing efforts. Don't expect him to give up much ground in Beaverton, even against the nastiest defensive linemen in the land. 

3. 2016 QB Jacob Eason

High School: Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens, Washington)

Size: 6'5", 205 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia

Expect Jacob Eason to put on a show at home in the Pacific Northwest. His blend of arm strength, size and savvy makes him the favorite to claim Elite 11 MVP honors.

"It's always fun to have a guy like him come out, because he sets the bar. The other kids are gunning for him, so it raises the level of competition," Elite 11 coordinator Brian Stumpf told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles after Eason's efforts at the Oakland, California, regional camp.

He looks like a passer who can compete at a fairly high level as a true freshman in the SEC. Eason has thrown for 6,228 yards and 59 touchdowns through 25 varsity games. 

2. 2017 LB Dylan Moses

Credit: 247Sports

High School: University Lab (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

Size: 6'2", 220 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to LSU

Dylan Moses is viewed as a prodigious prospect and landed on the cover of ESPN The Magazine as a 15-year-old. His scholarship offer list began to grow rapidly before his first freshman snap.

Some pundits expected him to become a player comparative to LeBron James or Bryce Harper, who were well-known phenoms in their sports at an early age. He's hasn't done a thing to dispel those lofty expectations, tallying 328 tackles through two high school seasons.

If things go according to plan, he'll take over the No. 1 spot here next year. Moses is well-acclimated to the spotlight, and his first Opening appearance is another step toward stardom. 

1. 2016 DT Rashan Gary

Credit: 247Sports

High School: Paramus Catholic (Paramus, New Jersey)

Size: 6'4", 311 lbs

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted; contenders include Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State and Rutgers

Rashan Gary belonged on this list last summer as a rising junior, and now he lands on top. The country's most dominant interior lineman displays incredible range across the defensive front and drew rave reviews as the youngest lineman in attendance at the 2014 Opening.

"I had no idea he was a 2016 recruit," top-ranked 2015 offensive tackle Martez Ivey said after the event. "He definitely stepped up his game. That's pretty crazy. The guy deserves a lot of credit for how he handles himself."

Now heading into his senior season, Gary appears primed to feast on opponents. He recorded 55 tackles, 24 quarterback hurries and 14 sacks, including a six-sack performance against Tennessee-bound quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and Bergen Catholic High School. 

"Last year gave me a lot of confidence because I knew I could compete against the top linemen in the country who were a year older than me," Gary told Bleacher Report. "Now I'm looking to go back with that confidence and bring that defensive line MVP back home to Jersey."

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.