You are a top football recruit. How about an all-expenses-paid summer trip to Oregon, oodles of customized Nike gear, coaching from current and former college and pro stars and face time on ESPN?
Talk about an easy sell.
That’s the winning formula for The Opening, held last weekend at sponsor Nike’s campus in Beaverton, Ore. The combine brings in more than 150 of the top performers from its regional camps each July for individual timing, 1-on-1 drills and 7-on-7 games. In its fourth year, the event is here to stay – and our football-obsessed country is happy to have it.
Since The Opening attracted most of South Florida’s elite talent, there’s plenty to discuss from a local perspective. SBNation.com recruiting analyst Bud Elliott, who also runs the Florida State website Tomahawk Nation, was in attendance and offered us his thoughts on Florida, FSU and Miami targets and the event’s top dog.
Of Gators interest: The offensive line MVP was Apopka High offensive tackle Martez Ivey, who is uncommitted but is widely thought to be a future Gator. Ivey (6-6, 270) is rated the top OT nationally by 247Sports’ composite rankings, a blend of rankings from all major recruiting websites. Elliott said Ivey has an advanced feel for the game, noting he picked up pass blocking techniques quickly.
Elliott also said five-star defensive end Byron Cowart (6-4, 250), from Seffner-Armwood, “dominated his events.” Cowart is believed to be favoring UF over Oregon and LSU.
Of Hurricanes interest: Four-star running back Jordan Scarlett, a 5-11, 207-pound back from Fort Lauderdale-St. Thomas Aquinas, committed to UM at the event. Scarlett turned heads by running a 4.38 40-yard dash. “In this setting, he really kills it,” Elliott said. “People assume he’s a power back, but he has really good speed, OK moves. He showed he can catch the football. Miami got a really good player.”
Coconut Creek-Monarch receiver Calvin Ridley, an Alabama commit being chased hard by Miami, was a top performer. “He caught everything and was able to get open,” Elliott said. Miramar corner Tyrek Cole, an FSU commit UM regards highly, was a “very active player,” Elliott said. “Lot of speed, quick feet and hips to stick with receivers. One of the best true cover corners at the event.”
Of Seminoles interest: The standout was five-star safety Derwin James (6-2, 200), from Haines City High. In team drills quarterbacks stayed away from James, the top-rated safety in the 2015 class. “They didn’t throw at him at all the first couple days,” said Elliott, who feels James has the physical skills to “immediately contend for playing time in the FSU secondary.”
Among uncommitted Noles targets who performed well: four-star Miami Central receiver Da’Vante Phillips, a close friend of 2014 signee Dalvin Cook; four-star Orlando-Timber Creek cornerback Jacques Patrick; and five-star Plantation-American Heritage corner Tavarus McFadden, who created a buzz by making a one-handed interception.
One to watch: Elliott was most impressed with defensive tackle Khalil McKenzie, from Concord, Calif. “I came away thinking if I could sign one player,” Elliott said, “it would be Khalil McKenzie.” A five-star Tennessee commit who was named defensive line MVP at the event, he was measured at 6-foot-4 and a surprisingly solid 341 pounds. “He dominated off the ball at that size,” Elliott said. “You don’t see kids at that age with that type of body control.”
Noteworthy: Saturday, Plantation-American Heritage receiver Dredrick Snelson committed to Miami. Snelson, listed at 6-feet and 190 pounds, is rated four stars by 247.com and ESPN.com. Rivals.com has not yet ranked him. ESPN in particular is very high on Snelson, considering him second-best among all receivers in the 2016 class, the third-best prospect in Florida and 11th nationally.