The Opening 2016: Ranking the Top 25 Recruits in Attendance
The premier showcase on the college football recruiting summer camp circuit is set to get underway next week when the The Opening kicks off at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
The event will feature more than 160 of the nation’s top recruits in the country. A majority of them are in the 2017 cycle, but a handful of elite underclassmen will also compete against one another.
Additionally, the dozen Elite 11 finalists tabbed earlier this month will all be on hand.
Overall, 75 of the nation’s top 100 overall prospects in the 247Sports composite rankings will be in attendance.
So which players should fans be paying close attention to next week during the competition?
25. 2019 LB Owen Pappoe
1 of 25High School: Grayson HS; Loganville, Georgia
Size: 6’0”, 200 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Georgia
Even though he’s set to enter his sophomore year in high school, linebacker Owen Pappoe has already made a name for himself in recruiting circles.
As Bleacher Report’s Tyler Donohue detailed, Pappoe became the first rising sophomore to punch his ticket to The Opening. When he arrives in Oregon, he will be one of six underclassmen in a field including 166 of the nation’s premier prep prospects.
As his testing numbers at the Atlanta Opening regional indicate, Pappoe is an athletic freak who will fit in well with the field from an athletic standpoint.
While linebackers are at a disadvantage in seven-on-seven play theoretically, Pappoe is the type of explosive athlete who can stick with speedy skill players in this setting.
24. 4-Star LB Anthony Hines
2 of 25High School: Plano East HS, Plano, Texas
Size: 6’2 ½”, 222 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas
While the field of 166 players set to take part in the festivities at The Opening are used to being coveted by college coaches, most are unlikely to have a busier phone line than 4-star linebacker Anthony Hines.
That’s because the nation’s top-rated inside linebacker in the 2017 cycle has a staggering 90 reported offers to his credit.
His lengthy offer list aside, Hines is another athletic specimen who can thrive in a setting that’s designed to expose most linebackers.
Over the last three seasons, Hines has racked up 399 tackles, including 65 tackles for loss with 22 sacks.
23. 5-Star QB Dylan McCaffrey
3 of 25High School: Valor Christian HS, Littleton, Colorado
Size: 6’5”, 196 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Michigan
One name fans will recognize quickly on The Opening roster is 5-star quarterback and current Michigan pledge Dylan McCaffrey.
The younger brother of Stanford All-American running back Christian McCaffrey is the nation’s No. 2 pro-style passer in the 2017 cycle.
McCaffrey had a solid showing at the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles earlier this month, which netted him a trip to The Opening.
A strong showing on the biggest stage of the summer camp circuit could net McCaffrey the Elite 11 MVP award.
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22. 4-Star QB Tate Martell
4 of 25High School: Bishop Gorman HS; Las Vegas
Size: 5’10 ½”, 203 lbs lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Ohio State
One storyline that should emerge throughout the week's festivities in Oregon is the presence of Ohio State's top-rated recruiting class.
In all, 10 of the Buckeyes' 14 pledges will be competing at The Opening—with 4-star quarterback pledge Tate Martell among the leaders of that group.
Martell hasn't lost a game over the last two years at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas while racking up nearly 6,200 yards of total offense and 86 total touchdowns.
As Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports noted, Martell has a competitive makeup and the intangible qualities necessary to dominate a stage such as The Opening.
21. 5-Star RB D'Andre Swift
5 of 25High School: St. Joseph’s HS; Philadelphia
Size: 5’10”, 204 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia and Penn State
There are 10 players in this year’s field who will be making their second trip to The Opening after qualifying for the event as underclassmen last year.
One explosive playmaker among that group is 5-star running back D’Andre Swift, who rates as the nation’s top all-purpose back.
Over the past three seasons on the prep level, Swift has tallied 3,949 yards of total offense and 44 total touchdowns.
His comfort level with making plays out of the backfield as a receiver is something that should give linebackers fits in coverage.
20. 4-Star QB Tua Tagovailoa
6 of 25High School: St. Louis HS; Honolulu
Size: 6’1”, 215 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
Perhaps the biggest revelation at the Elite 11 Finals earlier this month was the performance put together by 4-star Alabama pledge Tua Tagovailoa.
The nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback wowed the Elite 11 staff and established himself as one of the nation’s elite passers in the 2017 cycle in the process.
He heads into The Opening with a wave of momentum he’s built up after working hard in the offseason to improve as a passer.
If he can replicate his strong showing at the Oakland regional and at the Elite 11 Finals, Tagovailoa has a chance to become the second Tide quarterback commit to claim Elite 11 MVP honors in the last three years.
19. 2018 CB Patrick Surtain Jr.
7 of 25High School: American Heritage HS; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Size: 6’2”, 181 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and LSU
While the crop of underclassmen isn’t as deep as it was a year ago, there are still a handful of elite talents who have a chance to prove themselves against the nation’s best rising seniors.
As the early favorite to be the nation’s top corner in the 2018 cycle, Patrick Surtain Jr. is an intriguing prospect who should challenge a loaded field of receivers.
The son of former Chiefs and Dolphins defensive back Patrick Surtain has already landed 30 offers heading into his junior season.
With his blend of size, speed and athleticism, the younger Surtain has an opportunity to cement himself as one of the premier prospects in the 2018 cycle with a strong showing in Oregon.
18. 4-Star CB Jamyest Williams
8 of 25High School: Grayson HS; Loganville, Georgia
Size: 5’9”, 170 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and South Carolina
As Wiltfong noted, only one underclassman made The Opening’s all-tournament team a year ago: 4-star corner Jamyest Williams.
After recovering from an offseason surgery, Williams clinched his second straight trip to Oregon with a dominant performance at the Columbus regional.
While he doesn’t possess NFL measurables for a corner prospect, he’s an explosive athlete and a fierce competitor who has consistently shined on the camp circuit dating back to last spring.
Williams was all over the field at this event a year ago, and he will be gunning to prove himself as one of the nation’s elite corner prospects with another strong showing at the premier summer showcase camp.
17. 4-Star OL Trey Smith
9 of 25High School: University HS; Jackson, Tennessee
Size: 6’5 ½”, 299 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Notre Dame and Ohio State
One of the highlights of the action at The Opening is the matchups in the trenches between the offensive and defensive lines.
This year’s field features two offensive linemen making a return trip to battle the nation’s elite defensive line prospects.
One such prospect is 4-star offensive lineman Trey Smith, who rates as the nation’s No. 9 offensive tackle in the 2017 cycle.
Smith held his own at last year’s event, and he will now aim to become one of the more dominant players at his position in this year’s field.
16. 4-Star OL Jack Anderson
10 of 25High School: Frisco HS; Frisco, Texas
Size: 6’5”, 300 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Texas Tech
Joining Smith in Oregon for the second straight year is Texas Tech offensive line pledge Jack Anderson.
The Lone Star State product impressed last year as one of the nation’s elite interior linemen.
Rated as the nation’s No. 3 offensive guard prospect, Anderson has the size, athleticism and mean streak necessary to dominate at either guard or center.
If he’s able to impress again on the big stage, Anderson has an opportunity to exit the event billed as the nation’s top overall prospect among interior linemen.
15. 5-Star CB Darnay Holmes
11 of 25High School: Calabasas HS; Calabasas, California
Size: 5’10”, 190 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA
The one-on-one battles between the receivers and the defensive backs in this setting are always among the highlights of The Opening.
Considering he’s starred at both receiver and corner during his prep career, 5-star corner Darnay Holmes enters the event as one of the players observers will be monitoring closely.
According to MaxPreps, Holmes racked up more than 2,000 yards receiving while snagging two interceptions and 25 pass breakups over the last two seasons.
Currently tabbed as the top corner in the 2017 cycle, Holmes will look to cement that standing by locking up the nation’s top playmakers at the event.
14. 4-Star S Richard LeCounte III
12 of 25High School: Liberty County HS; Riceboro, Georgia
Size: 5’10 ½”, 174 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Georgia
In terms of athleticism, 4-star safety and current Georgia commit Richard LeCounte III measures up well in a group loaded with potential freaks.
For example, his offseason exploits on the basketball court illustrate his ridiculous leaping ability.
On the gridiron, LeCounte is a center fielder type of safety whose range, athleticism and ball skills make him a candidate to shine in this setting.
If he’s able to put together a solid week in Oregon, he will be a candidate to earn a fifth star when the next batch of rankings are updated.
13. 5-Star WR Tyjon Lindsey
13 of 25High School: Centennial HS; Corona, California
Size: 5’8 ½”, 180 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC
The seven-on-seven action is a favorable setting for diminutive slot receivers, and one player who figures to cause fits for the defensive backs is 5-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey.
The nation’s No. 4 receiver was impressive as an underclassman at The Opening a year ago.
He locked up his invitation to this year’s event by blowing the doors off the testing portion of the Los Angeles regional, as detailed by Bleacher Report’s Damon Sayles.
Lindsey has already proved himself to be one of the most electric playmakers in the 2017 cycle, which makes him one of the players to watch entering next week’s festivities.
12. 5-Star LB Baron Browning
14 of 25High School: Kennedale HS; Kennedale, Texas
Size: 6’3”, 230 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Ohio State, TCU, Texas and UCLA
Matching up with speedy receivers, tight ends and running backs in coverage figures to be a great challenge for the linebackers headed to The Opening.
Among the headliners of the group entering the event is 5-star linebacker Baron Browning.
The versatile Texas native had a strong junior campaign, registering 74 tackles—including eight tackles for loss, four pass breakups and two interceptions.
If Browning flashes the ability to thrive against elite skill players in space, he will leave little doubt as to his standing as one of the nation’s top linebackers in the 2017 cycle.
11. 5-Star WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
15 of 25High School: Cass Technical HS; Detroit
Size: 6’2”, 192 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State
One of the biggest revelations of The Opening last year was the athletic display put on by 5-star receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
The Detroit native made history by becoming the first underclassman to win the Nike Football Ratings title.
He followed that up by hauling in 39 receptions for 1,012 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior while averaging nearly 26 yards per catch.
That big-play ability is an example of why he enters this year’s event as one of the most accomplished playmakers in the country.
10. 4-Star QB Davis Mills
16 of 25High School: Greater Atlanta Christian HS; Norcross, Georgia
Size: 6’3”, 192 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Stanford
Last year, Stanford quarterback commit KJ Costello represented the Cardinal by making the Elite 11 at the end of last year’s competition.
This year, the Cardinal will be represented again in the form of 4-star quarterback pledge Davis Mills.
The metro-Atlanta native was one of the standouts at the Elite 11 Finals competition in Los Angeles earlier this month.
Another solid outing at The Opening could make him a favorite to earn MVP honors among the Elite 11 finalists.
9. 5-Star S Jeffrey Okudah
17 of 25High School: South Grand Prairie HS; Grand Prairie, Texas
Size: 6’1 ½”, 190 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford and Texas
As more and more offenses gravitate toward spreading the field with three-, four- and five-receiver sets, versatile defensive backs are at a premium.
While 5-star safety Jeffrey Okudah ranks as the nation’s best player at his position, he prides himself on being able to play corner and safety, and line up in the nickel spot, as detailed by Sayles.
Okudah likens his game to that of former Florida State star and Jaguars rookie Jalen Ramsey.
Being able to match up against a field that includes bigger receivers and explosive slot guys is a challenge he seems eager to take on in this setting.
8. 5-Star CB Stanford Samuels III
18 of 25High School: Flanagan HS; Hollywood, Florida
Size: 6’2”, 175 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Florida State
With the influx of bigger receivers also becoming a trend offenses are going toward, teams need size at the corner position to combat that on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
One of the longest corners in the field of defensive backs present at The Opening is 5-star corner and Florida State commit Stanford Samuels III.
With his size and ability to jam receivers at the line, Samuels may be one of the toughest puzzles to solve for the deep group of pass-catchers slated to go against him.
He flashed that ability in the Miami Opening regional and punched his ticket to football heaven in the process. A repeat of that effort is likely to put him in the discussion as the top overall corner in the 2017 cycle.
7. 5-Star DE Jaelan Phillips
19 of 25High School: Redlands East Valley HS; Redlands, California
Size: 6’3”, 235 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to UCLA
The battles between the defensive ends and offensive tackles are another fascinating matchup when the linemen take part in one-on-one drills.
One player whose ranking has steadily climbed over the last year is 5-star defensive end Jaelan Phillips.
Last year, the No. 2 prospect from the state of California racked up 87 tackles and 13.5 sacks. He’s followed that up with dominant play in the spring and summer camp circuit.
As the nation’s top-rated weak-side defensive end, Phillips figures to be a handful off the edge for the offensive tackles he will be facing next week.
6. 5-Star OL Alex Leatherwood
20 of 25High School: Washington HS; Pensacola, Florida
Size: 6’6”, 315 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
With seven of the nation’s top 10 offensive tackle prospects on hand at The Opening, the event will help provide clarity in the rankings of one of the most important positions on the field.
One player among that group is 5-star Alabama commit Alex Leatherwood.
The Sunshine State star was one of the standouts at the New Orleans regional and made it clear he was one of the nation’s elite talents, as detailed by Barton Simmons of 247Sports.
Leatherwood is a physically imposing tackle with nimble feet, which is a combination that will make him one of the more formidable offensive linemen who are gunning for a spot in the Final Five Lineman Challenge.
5. 4-Star CB Deangelo Gibbs
21 of 25High School: Grayson HS; Loganville, Georgia
Size: 6’2”, 204 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee
Along with Williams, fellow 2017 4-star corner Deangelo Gibbs will be making a second consecutive trip to The Opening.
Gibbs has battled injuries over the last 18 months, but he looked like his old self in punching his ticket to The Opening in Seattle last month, as noted by Justin Hopkins of 247Sports.
With his size and athleticism, Gibbs can be an equalizer when facing an elite receiver on the outside.
Although Gibbs lost his fifth star in the latest rankings shuffle, he can easily regain it if he performs as he did on this stage a year ago.
4. 5-Star WR Tee Higgins
22 of 25High School: Oak Ridge HS; Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Size: 6’4 ½”, 188 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Tennessee
Just as the debates will flow about the top overall prospects at positions such as corner and offensive tackle, the receiver position figures to find clarity in that area as well.
In fact, 14 of the top 15 receivers in the country will be on hand at The Opening, including the entire top 10.
Among the prospects in contention for the top overall spot at the position is 5-star receiver Tee Higgins.
As a junior, the top overall prospect from the state of Tennessee hauled in 46 passes for 841 yards and 16 scores.
His speed and big-play ability make him one of the more intriguing weapons to watch during tournament play.
3. 5-Star LB Dylan Moses
23 of 25High School: IMG Academy; Bradenton, Florida
Size: 6’2”, 220 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Texas
If there’s one person who can relate to what Pappoe is going through as an underclassman and budding recruiting sensation, it’s 5-star linebacker Dylan Moses.
The Louisiana native has been a household name in recruiting circles since he was a freshman.
His return trip to The Opening is likely to be a proving ground for Moses, who lost his grip on the top overall spot in the 2017 cycle.
As Sayles detailed, Moses earned his second invite to the event with a dominant performance at the Houston regional.
With the nation’s best prospects on hand, Moses will have a chance to snatch back the crown of being billed as 2017’s top overall prospect.
2. 5-Star RB Najee Harris
24 of 25High School: Antioch HS; Antioch, California
Size: 6’3”, 226 lbs
Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama
Alabama head coach Nick Saban knows a thing or two about recruiting and developing freakish talents at the running back position.
While rushers enjoyed a bit of a renaissance in college football last year, the Crimson Tide offense has been an assembly line for NFL-caliber backs during Saban’s tenure.
So it’s no surprise to see Alabama pledge and 5-star running back Najee Harris emerge as the nation’s top overall prospect in the 2017 cycle heading into The Opening.
He stood out on the big stage as a junior. During the Oakland regional camp, former NFL quarterback and Elite 11 head coach Trent Dilfer lauded him for his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Given his NFL-type measurables and the fact that he’s rushed for more than 5,000 yards over the last two seasons, Harris has already validated the immense hype he will carry into this event and into his final year on the prep level.
1. 5-Star DT Marvin Wilson
25 of 25High School: Episcopal HS; Bellaire, Texas
Size: 6’4”, 329 lbs
Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas
One of the biggest storylines of last year’s competition was the emphatic statement made by eventual Michigan signee Rashan Gary.
If there’s one defensive tackle in this year’s field capable of providing a similar performance to Gary’s, it would be 5-star Texas native Marvin Wilson.
Over the course of his freshman and sophomore seasons, Wilson tallied 103 tackles, including 34 tackles for loss and 19 sacks.
Tipping the scales at nearly 330 pounds, Wilson has the power and athleticism to be nearly unblockable in a one-on-one setting.
If he can approach the level Gary performed at last year, Wilson could exit Beaverton with eyes on claiming the top overall spot in the 2017 cycle.
Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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