The Opening is four months away, but the regional camps got going with stops in Miami and Orlando, Florida, this weekend. Here are some of the top performances and observations:
It didn't take long
Trayvon Mullen, the No. 14 player in the ESPN Junior 300, didn't disappoint with his performance at the Miami camp. He is a tall, lengthy corner who possesses outstanding size to match up with bigger receivers but also is very fluid and possesses premium speed and quickness for his size at the position. He earned an invitation to The Opening and didn't take long to impress, standing out while just working through the agility drills.
In Orlando, ESPN Junior 300 DB Chauncey Gardner was a standout among the defensive backs. He is competitive and vocal, and his size and athleticism can offer some versatility to a secondary.
#ESPNJr300 No. 1-ranked TE & #Noles pledge @inauta24 making it look easy at Orlando #GETOPEN https://t.co/HuPrswVlPV
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) March 1, 2015One of multiple Miami commits at the South Florida event on Saturday, Cedric Wright also performed well with the defensive backs. He lacks ideal height but has a compact, sturdy build with quick feet.
Deion Jackson is a player who needs to improve in certain areas but is also a player to watch. He is extremely raw at this point but is tall, long and athletic and shows some natural ability at corner. With proper progress, he could see his stock rise as the process unfolds.
Sticky fingers
There was an outstanding group of receivers competing this weekend, especially in Miami. Sam Bruce, an ESPN Junior 300 prospect, didn't disappoint. He showed a highly competitive spirit, battling all camp long despite coming off a late-season leg injury. He is diminutive but quick, with great hands and body control, and is reminiscent of top-five 2015 wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Josh Hammond demonstrated excellent ball skills and consistently extends for, and effortlessly snatches, the ball out of the air.
Cavin Ridley, the brother of the 2015 No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley, demonstrated he should have no problem making a name for himself, because he possesses good size and very good ball skills.
Miami also produced some talented and big receivers in Dredrick Snelson, Binjimen Victor and Darnell Salomon, all of whom can create tough matchups with their size and athleticism.
In Orlando, Alabama commit Demetris Robertson led a good group of receivers. He is a target with good size and hands and displayed good body control to make some nice catches during the day.
Tre Nixon, has a slight build which could create some concerns if defenders can get their hands on him, but that can be tough because he is a quick-footed and speedy target
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Game face
Top 2016 tight end Isaac Nauta was in attendance at the Orlando camp and performed very well. He brings good size, strong ball skills and is a good route runner at this stage. It was not so much the physical ability that stood out, but his demeanor and approach was impressive. There was a competitive, no-nonsense approach to his performance, and despite already being highly touted and committed, he looked to take as many reps as he could when we had eyes on him. It's not an exact comparison, but the Florida State commit has some similarities to departing Seminoles tight end Nick O'Leary not only in ability, but also in the workmanlike approach.
E11 No. 1
A year ago, Feleipe' Franks took part in the Orlando Elite 11 and stood out as an underclassman. The tall pocket passer showed improvement with a strong arm and nice touch on his deep balls. He had more of a loose, whip-like delivery in the past but demonstrated a more compact and quicker delivery this year and was more consistent in his accuracy to all levels. The LSU commit locked up the first quarterback invitation to this year's Elite 11.
Really nice delivery from #LSU QB commit Feleipe Franks https://t.co/hU1McvVMy4
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) March 1, 2015Tyler Huntley out of Hallandale High School, competed at both events and was probably the top performer in Miami. He has adequate height but a lengthy build with good upside and works hard on the mechanics of the position.
The 'backers
A good collection of linebackers was on display this weekend. Rahshaun Smith continues to make a smooth transition to OLB and performed well at the Orlando camp, landing an invite to The Opening. A defender with good size, length and speed, he did well in pass-rushing drills but also displayed good range while looking comfortable in coverage as he continues to develop in that aspect. In Miami, ESPN Junior 300 OLB Devin Bush Jr. is an instinctive player, with good pursuit speed, and was a strong performer, also earning an invite to The Opening.
All-around good guy
One of the pleasant surprises to come out of the Orlando camp was running back Tony Jones Jr., who secured an invite to The Opening with his performance. Out of the IMG Academy, he is a runner with a tough, physical style and displayed a good combination of size and speed. He did well in blocking drills and also demonstrated ability to be effective as a receiver out of the backfield. The 2016 prospect has flashed the tools to be a good every-down back at the college level, and it was his strong, well-rounded performance that drew praise from the camp running backs coach and former NFL running back Natrone Means.
Going big
The big men had a strong overall performance Sunday. Leading that group was 2016 center prospect Baveon Johnson. He is a prospect who has impressed on film and backed that up with a great outing. He has a thick, broad build with good strength and a physical nature, possessing good agility for his size. In one-on-ones he was consistently a stout presence and often flat-out dominant, displaying the ability to quickly set and get hands on with ability to mirror rushers. The uncommitted big man is establishing himself as one of the top center prospects in this class.
The camp also featured a few other talented interior prospects, including Ohio State commit Tyler Gerald. In pass protection, he demonstrated a powerful punch and was tough to beat once he got locked on. Parker Boudreaux also brings some physicality to his play and displays good lower-body flexibility and did well in one-on-ones. After watching him on tape and at this event, the ESPN Junior 300 lineman might be a candidate to move to center at the college level. Jaylen Miller was another interior prospect who flashed as someone to keep an eye on as the process unfolds. Offensive tackle Marcus Tatum flashes some promising upside but is a prospect who needs to work to further develop his long and narrower frame.
#ESPNJr300 OL & Ohio State commit Tyler Gerald in 1-on-1's - Orlando Opening #Buckeyes https://t.co/P3LxGf1G9L
— Craig Haubert (@CraigHaubert) March 1, 2015Defensively, ESPN Junior 300 defensive end Jordan Woods needs to watch his pad level but flashed a good initial burst and active hands in pass rush. Defensive end Jachai Polite took home the D-line MVP and flashed some ability as an edge rusher and will garner further attention. Keyshon Camp has a bit of tweener build at this stage for an interior prospect but showed some flashes as active interior player.
In Miami, the day belonged to the perimeter prospects, but the big men ended the event with some good battles. Long, lean defensive end Brian Burns out of American Heritage did well on his home field, displaying decent dip around the edge with a speed rush then the ability to come underneath and win with his next rep. Aaron Thompson needs to continue to develop his frame but flashed good explosiveness and violent hands in the pass rush. Offensively, Carl Thompson was active with his hands and showed a good base, displaying the ability to stay in front of rushers once locked on.
Youth movement
In Orlando, the perimeter talent extended into the 2017 class, and that group was led by receiver Jerry Jeudy, an athletic, lengthy and physical target with good hands. Trevon Grimes was another impressive underclassmen receiver who will soon be on the recruiting radar. Stanford Samuels brings good length and athleticism as a defensive back prospect. He shares some physical similarities with Mullen but is rawer at this stage, with some promising upside.
Robert Burns, a 2017 running back, was arguably the top performer among his group at the Miami camp, and the Miami Hurricanes commit possesses a nice combination of size and speed.
Among the talented group of linemen in Orlando was 2017 tackle Calvin Ashley. A physically impressive prospect with great height and length, he can be a tough obstacle for rushers to try and work around and will certainly be a name to know over the next two years. Among the Miami big men, 2017 lineman Tedarrell Slaton showed why it is not surprising he has already racked up a few offers. With a big, powerful build, he displayed good feet and a strong punch and did well in his reps against 2017 Florida State commit Keir Thomas.