The Opening 2015: Top 40-Yard Dash Times from Nike Football Ratings Championship

The Opening annually attracts many of America's most impressive high school athletes, including several football prospects primed to make an impact in college and beyond. 

More than 160 recruits are assembled at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, and spent Wednesday vying for honors during testing for the Nike Football Ratings Championship. This process features several facets, but none are more revered than the 40-yard dash.

The sprint showcases burst, speed and stamina—important elements for any successful player. Here's a closer look at the 10 participants who finished ahead of the pack during this stage of testing, per Student Sports.

10. 5-Star WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.42 seconds
• School: Cass Technical High School (Detroit, Michigan)
• Size: 6'2", 192 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 23 overall; No. 4 wide receiver (in 2017 class)

A breakout summer continues for Donovan Peoples-Jones, who caught a ton of attention six weeks ago for his performance at Nike's regional camp in Columbus, Ohio. He bested elite recruits who are a year older than him on the way to a national title in the Nike Football Rating Championship.

He starred for one of Michigan's premier high school programs as a sophomore, earning national notoriety. Peoples-Jones already claims an expansive list of offers that includes Ohio State, Miami, USC, Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame.

9. 5-Star S Deontay Anderson

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.41 seconds
• School: Manvel High School (Manvel, Texas)
• Size: 6'1", 192 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 46 overall; No. 3 safety

The Lone Star State defender landed on the national recruiting radar early in his high school career, leading to his eventual ascension to instant stardom at The Opening. Deontay Anderson ultimately qualified for the Nike Football Rating Championship.

He registered 184 tackles through his first three high school seasons, adding four interceptions and 18 pass breakups. Anderson remains uncommitted, weighing offers from Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and several others. 

8. 4-Star RB Sean McGrew

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.38 seconds
• School: St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower, California)
• Size: 5'8", 175 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 312 overall; No. 7 all-purpose back

Sean McGrew may have played second fiddle to former 5-star quarterback Josh Rosen in recent seasons at St. John Bosco, but he's been instrumental to the team's success. With Rosen now fighting for snaps as a freshman at UCLA, McGrew figures to become the offensive catalyst for a California powerhouse.

He rushed for 3,890 yards and 49 touchdowns during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps, adding another 481 yards and six scores through the air. McGrew pledged to Washington in May, picking the Huskies over fellow Pac-12 contenders Cal and UCLA.

7. 5-Star CB Levonta Taylor

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.37 seconds
• School: Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
• Size: 5'11", 182 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 5 overall; No. 1 cornerback

The nation's top-rated defensive back brought the heat Wednesday, becoming the only top 20 overall 2016 recruit to qualify for Nike Football Rating Championship action. Levonta Taylor previously posted a personal-best 4.34 40-yard dash during the Nike regional in his home state this spring.

He racked up 1,069 all-purpose yards as a junior, per MaxPreps, scoring five touchdowns on defense and special teams. Taylor committed to Florida State over Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Clemson and USC this spring.

6. 5-Star RB Tavien Feaster

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.36 seconds
• School: Spartanburg High School (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
• Size: 6'0", 204 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 25 overall; No. 1 all-purpose back

Tavien Feaster recently moved to the top of running back rankings and is aiming to cement that spot for the long haul with a strong performance in Oregon. That mission is certainly off to a strong start following his scintillating sprint.

He committed to Clemson in February after receiving offers from Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Alabama and Notre Dame. Feaster rushed for 1,153 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2014, while serving as a viable threat in the passing game.

5. 4-Star ATH Demetris Robertson

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.34 seconds
• School: Savannah Christian Prep (Savannah, Georgia)
• Size: 6'1", 165 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 34 overall; No. 1 athlete

Demetris Robertson sits atop a deep list of athletes in composite rankings and further proved he's worth the hype with an eye-opening effort in Beaverton. The slender standout presents promising attributes at defensive back and receiver, with speed serving as an invaluable skill in either setting.

He initially committed to Alabama last summer but changed his mind in April. Robertson is still considering the Crimson Tide, but Georgia and Florida present serious in-conference competition.

2. 4-Star WR Devin Duvernay (tie)

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.32 seconds
• School: Sachse (Sachse, Texas)
• Size: 5'11", 195 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 32 overall; No. 2 wide receiver

While studying game film for Devin Duvernay, it becomes abundantly clear that quickness is a pivotal part of his approach downfield. That speed was on full display Wednesday and should have defensive backs on high guard during upcoming seven-on-seven action.

Duvernay destroyed defenses last fall en route to 62 receptions for 990 yards and nine scores. He totaled 25 offensive touchdowns during the past two seasons. 

2. 4-Star ATH Mecole Hardman (tie)

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.32 seconds
• School: Elbert County High School (Elberton, Georgia)
• Size: 5'11", 173 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 70 overall; No. 4 athlete

This do-it-all playmaker showed off his burst on a national stage, serving notice to the collection of college teams still chasing after his commitment. The versatile Peach State product is weighing scholarship offers from Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn and Alabama, among other programs.

Mecole Hardman collected 2,736 offensive yards during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps, and tallied 27 rushing touchdowns. He also serves as a kick returner and continues to draw interest at cornerback.

2. 4-Star WR Tyrie Cleveland (tie)

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.32 seconds
• School: Westfield High School (Houston, Texas)
• Size: 6'2.5", 189 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 97 overall; No. 15 wide receiver

Former Texas A&M commit Tyrie Cleveland finished tied as the fastest competitor among offensive talents, displaying extraordinary speed for an athlete of his size. After clocking a 4.32 in preliminaries, he nearly matched that performance with a 4.36 effort in the finals.

Cleveland caught 53 passes for 1,105 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014, averaging nearly 21 yards per reception. Since backing off a verbal pledge to the Aggies this spring, TCU, Houston, Arizona and Florida are among intriguing options rising to the forefront of Cleveland's recruitment. 

1. 4-Star CB Nigel Knott

Credit: 247Sports

• 40-yard dash time: 4.30 seconds
• School: Germantown High School (Madison, Mississippi)
• Size: 5'11", 175 lbs.
• 247Sports' composite ranking: No. 72 overall; No. 7 cornerback

Nigel Knott turned heads early in the day with an absurd 4.30 sprint. Later, he narrowly missed on out the Nike Rating National Championship title.

His recruitment consists of several top-tier programs, with Florida State, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Oregon emerging as potential landing spits. Knott notched 112 tackles, 16 pass breakups and four interceptions as a junior.

Recruit ratings and stats courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.