The Opening 2016: Grading Performances of Top 10 Recruits

BEAVERTON, Ore. — The Opening annually challenges high school football's premier players to rise up in the company of elite peers. Held July 5-10 at Nike world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, the event featured 166 athletes from across America and beyond.

Each competitor earned their spot in Oregon by delivering strong performances during past seasons and recent regional showcases. Combined, this collection carries thousands of scholarship offers and will ultimately feature several future college and NFL superstars. 

Some athletes entered the action with higher expectations than the bulk of other attendees, courtesy of elevated ratings throughout the recruiting-analysis industry. We examined the top 10 prospects in 247Sports' composite rankings, grading each based strictly on how they performed in Oregon.

School: Calabasas High School (Calabasas, California)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 cornerback; No. 10 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Stanford and UCLA

Analysis

Darnay Holmes did damage on both sides of the ball in Beaverton, lining up at receiver and cornerback during seven-on-seven action. Unsurprisingly, he placed himself in elite territory at both positions and displayed the doggedness coaches covet from key contributors.

The 5'10", 190-pound Southern California prospect put himself in position to earn a spot on The Opening all-tournament team, selected by event staff members. Holmes landed on the list as an "athlete," and that's exactly what he can be on a collegiate roster.

Cornerback is likely his full-time destination on the field, but don't be shocked if he commands an opportunity to run occasional routes on offense through the next phase of his career. Holmes racked up 144 receptions for 2,236 yards and 25 touchdowns during the past two seasons, per MaxPreps, adding seven non-offensive touchdowns.

Grade: A

School: Graham Kapowsin High School (Graham, Washington)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 offensive tackle; No. 9 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Notre Dame, Stanford and Washington

Analysis

There's a crowded group of offensive linemen vying for consideration as the country's No. 1 prospect in the trenches. Competing on relative home turf in the Pacific Northwest, Foster Sarell stated his case loud and clear.

A big-time recruiting target of the 2017 class since his freshman season, this 6'6 ½", 311-pound blocker earned offensive line MVP honors at The Opening awards ceremony. This is quite an accomplishment considering the volume of talent in that group, which largely dominated defensive counterparts Sunday afternoon in the final round of one-on-one showdowns.

Sturdy and strong, Sarell consistently handled power-rush efforts by absorbing contact and countering with an effective punch. He's a fundamentally advanced tackle prospect who beats speed-rushers to the point of attack with precise footwork and elite reach.

"Foster is very good with his technique," fellow offensive line attendee Trey Smith told Bleacher Report. "He's impressive when it comes to foot movement and uses the drive-catch concept really well. Defensive linemen definitely had trouble with him."

Grade: A+

School: Kennedale High School (Kennedale, Texas)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 outside linebacker; No. 8 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and TCU

Analysis

Linebackers don't typically command much of a spotlight in seven-on-seven settings, and that was largely the case in Oregon, though that doesn't prevent us from acknowledging the skill set Baron Browning brings to the field. The 6'3", 230-pound Lone Star State standout displayed sideline-to-sideline range and held his own in intermediate pass coverage.

Browning, who tallied 74 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2015, is already built like a collegiate defender. Though he didn't produce many "firework" moments in tournament action—those were predominately delivered by defensive backs—his steadiness and awareness gave the impression he was comfortable competing alongside and against other alpha dogs.

Browning also excelled in combine testing implemented by coaches Friday morning. He registered impressive numbers across the board, clocking a 4.56-second in the 40-yard dash, a 4.18 in the agility shuttle, throwing the power ball 40 feet and soaring 37.4 inches in vertical leap.

Grade: A-

School: Redlands East Valley High School (Redlands, California)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 weak-side defensive end; No. 7 overall

College Status: Committed to UCLA

Analysis

Jaelan Phillips proved to be a challenging matchup for every offensive lineman who encountered him in Oregon, which is exactly what you'd expect from the player who sits atop national composite rankings at his position. The 6'5", 235-pound prospect was explosive off the edge, giving even the most athletic blockers little time to cut off angles before he surged into the backfield.

"He's got a lot of speed on the outside," 4-star offensive tackle Walker Little said. "He blows off the edge, has great hands and can really get low on you. It takes a ton of effort to get to him and get your hands on him."

The Opening staff asked Phillips to attack from a variety of stances, allowing onlookers to see his capabilities as a 4-3 weak-side defensive end and perimeter edge-rusher. We occasionally witness 5-star recruits rest on their ratings in settings such as this, but Phillips maintained intensity and effort throughout, a strong indication of his motor.

He is attempting to build off a junior campaign that included 87 tackles, 13.5 sacks and three interceptions.

Grade: A

School: Cass Technical High School (Detroit, Michigan)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 receiver; No. 6 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Florida, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State

Analysis

The nation's top-ranked receiver was sidelined throughout the week and told B/R he was dealing with a hamstring issue. It's an unfortunate development for Donovan Peoples-Jones, who dominated downfield two months ago during regional action in Columbus, Ohio.

The 6'2", 192-pound playmaker is a rare two-time invite to Beaverton, where he claimed honors as Nike Football Ratings Championship MVP last July. Peoples-Jones, who caught 39 passes for 1,012 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2015, now aims to enter his senior season at Detroit powerhouse Cass Tech with full health, as a widespread recruitment is likely to last deep into the cycle.

Michigan quarterback commit Dylan McCaffrey met him for the first time as seven-on-seven teammates, but this duo was never able to get on the field together during tournament action due to Peoples-Jones' ailment. Team Hypercool was ultimately eliminated in the semifinal round of competition, leaving onlookers left to wonder what may have been if the squad was at full force.

Grade: Incomplete

School: South Grand Prairie High School (Grand Prairie, Texas)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 safety; No. 5 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Florida State, Ohio State, Stanford and Texas

Analysis

Jeffrey Okudah continues to check off many of the boxes analysts examine while scouring a class for 5-star talent. Standing 6'1 ½", 190 pounds, he presents the physicality and quickness to thrive in various defensive backfield roles.

His experience at The Opening included several repetitions at cornerback, though many have him pegged as a safety in college. There weren't a ton of balls thrown in Okudah's direction during the week, and that's not coincidence, as quarterbacks carry a lot of respect for his abilities.

Beyond on-field coverage, Okudah also turned heads in combine testing. He placed second overall and first among defenders in the Nike Football Ratings Championship, registering a score of 142.56 (4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.03 seconds in the agility shuttle, 42-foot power ball toss and 41.6-inch vertical leap).

Grade: A

School: Miamisburg High School (Miamisburg, Ohio)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 offensive tackle; No. 4 overall

College Status: Committed to Ohio State

Analysis

Josh Myers was an early member of the Buckeyes' top-ranked recruiting class and certainly put his importance to the program on display in Oregon. Battling alongside fellow 5-star Ohio State offensive lineman commit Wyatt Davis, he proved to project as a reliable pillar on the perimeter of a potentially dominant front for head coach Urban Meyer.

Though he entered action considered the top offensive tackle in composite rankings, Myers didn't exactly distance himself from the pack in Beaverton. He rarely lost reps, but also didn't decimate opponents with routine authority that some may anticipate from a No. 1 prospect. 

The top of this offensive line class is muddled, lacking a clear-cut alpha dog, but Myers remains in the mix for consideration. However, he was left off The Opening's "Final Five" list for offensive linemen.

Grade: B

School: Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 3 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas

Analysis

The young man who regularly calls himself a "real-life goon" brought intensity to the trenches throughout his stay in Beaverton. Marvin Wilson, who stands 6'4", 329 pounds, led trash-talking efforts by a mile among linemen, and walked the walk for the most part. 

"He's a high-energy guy, 100 percent, all the time," fellow Texan and 4-star offensive lineman Walker Little said. "He's an absolute load to have to block. You've got to bring your A-game going against him. That's a big guy coming at you with a lot of aggression."

Wilson, who burst onto the national scene with 67 tackles—19 for loss—and 15 sacks as a sophomore, was clearly the best interior defensive lineman in attendance, though this group had a difficult time overall matching the immense talent of a loaded 2016 class at The Opening. Defensive line MVP honors awaited Wilson Sunday evening, though a few top offensive linemen enjoyed success against him during stretches of the competition.

Grade: B+

School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 outside linebacker; No. 2 overall

College Status: Uncommitted; Contenders include Alabama, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Texas and UCLA

Analysis

As we alluded to in our Baron Browning segment, the seven-on-seven environment in Beaverton isn't necessarily conducive for linebacker stardom. Still, Dylan Moses continues to serve up evidence that the immense hype surrounding his recruitment since middle school is legitimate.

He lost grips on a longstanding hold of No. 1 status in composite rankings this offseason, but pushed for consideration while holding his own during an epic cat-and-mouse series against top-rated running back Najee Harris. The former LSU pledge looked the part of an elite talent against an impressive crop of rushers.

Moses is incredibly savvy in the midst of plays, competing with clarity and excellent anticipation even as things turn chaotic. His 6'2", 220-pound build, advanced football IQ and mature mentality add up to suggest he can handle a key role at the heart of a collegiate attack early and often.

Grade: A

School: Antioch High School (Antioch, California)

247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 running back; No. 1 overall

College Status: Committed to Alabama

Analysis

Najee Harris arrived at The Opening with a target on his back as the No. 1 overall recruit in composite rankings. He did little to dispel that notion in Beaverton, though running backs are used almost strictly as pass targets rather than offensive catalysts in the seven-on-seven tournament.

Powerful, long legs, a formidable upper body and angry rushing style make him one of the most unique backs we've scouted in recent years, putting him in a conversation as the position's most impressive prospect since 2014 recruit and current LSU star Leonard Fournette.

Harris, who has rushed for 5,007 yards and 59 touchdowns during the past two seasons, is more sure-handed than several blue-chip receivers and presents major yards-after-catch potential in the open field. If his health remains on track, the 6'3", 226-pound playmaker is next in a line of superstar Crimson Tide running backs.

Grade: A

Quotes and observations obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.