The Opening, Rivals100 Challenge etc.

[STLDomer]

The eye-popping numbers at The Opening SPARQ Combine

Dalton Schultz
At 6-foot-5.5, you don’t realize how big Schultz is until you’re standing next to him. The rest of his game is similar, you don’t realize how good he is until he’s running past you either.

Allen Lazard
There are several big receivers in Oregon but none has the frame of Lazard who stands at 6-foot-4.5 and 207 pounds.

Elijah Hood
Similar to Chubb, Hood posted a blazing 4.48 40 within a 6-0, 221-pound cinder block frame.

Lorenzo Carter
The definition of Freak, Carter is 6-foot-5, 234 pounds and ran a 4.63 on Monday morning. He topped that Monday night with a 4.54 on national television. That translates to scary pressure off the edge by Carter.

Andrew Williams
One of the most athletic big men in attendance, Williams put together a 4.70 40 despite a 251-pound 6-4 frame.

Solomon Thomas
Thomas was probably the best athlete in attendance in the 260-plus range and his 4.26 shuttle was among the best times regardless of weight class.

Lorenzo Carter
While his 39.7 inch vertical, teamed with a 6-5 frame would win him a lot of dunk contests, Carter’s explosiveness also translates to great burst off the edge as a pass rusher.

Solomon Thomas
Thomas blasted a 44-foot toss to top off a day that saw him piece together outstanding athletic numbers.

Andrew Williams
Williams is very athletic in a 254-pound frame and had a 43-foot toss on Monday morning.

Elijah Hood
Similar to Chubb, Hood utilized a compact, powerful frame to generate a 42.5-foot throw.

 

[arrowryan]

I always take this stuff with a grain of salt because it's a different story when the pads are put on.

 

[STLDomer]

4.48 is fast but 4.48 at 220 pounds is hauling a$$!! Good luck to anyone trying to tackle that.

Just a little fact, Eddie Lacy ran a 4.44.

I think we have our Eddie Lacy

I always take this stuff with a grain of salt because it's a different story when the pads are put on.

So he's not the next Eddie Lacy anymore?

 

[Luckylucci]

While it's important not to chase workout warriors, some of these guys have something in common and that's on field production. If the on field production matches these combine numbers, then you have a special football player.

 

[arrowryan]

So he's not the next Eddie Lacy anymore?

No I'm talking about the things like Justin Brent beating that 5 star corner earlier today. Or whatever is going to happen in the 7 on 7's, recruits are going to get a ratings bump over flag football.

The combine type stuff is the only thing I can actually trust

 

[Luckylucci]

No I'm talking about the things like Justin Brent beating that 5 star corner earlier today. Or whatever is going to happen in the 7 on 7's, recruits are going to get a ratings bump over flag football.

The combine type stuff is the only thing I can actually trust

I have to disagree with you in Brent's case. If it was just one rep I could understand that feeling but he's been taking it to some of the best corners in the country rep after rep and two camps in a row. He's making it look easy. That deserves praise.

 

[STLDomer]

No I'm talking about the things like Justin Brent beating that 5 star corner earlier today. Or whatever is going to happen in the 7 on 7's, recruits are going to get a ratings bump over flag football.

The combine type stuff is the only thing I can actually trust

Well I have to disagree there then. Sure it's different but 7ON has great value to it. Last summer reports came out about how great Riddick looked in 7ON at ND and he lived up to the up. Not much changes in a 1-1 WR-CB battle with pads on versus without. Obviously game tape his better but this is a chance for the elite to go against the elite and prove themselves.

I don't think Brent dominating the RCS, NFTC, Rivals Challenge, & now Day 1 of The Opening can be taken with just a grain of salt

 

[Booslum31]

No I'm talking about the things like Justin Brent beating that 5 star corner earlier today. Or whatever is going to happen in the 7 on 7's, recruits are going to get a ratings bump over flag football.

The combine type stuff is the only thing I can actually trust

I've felt the same way Arrow. I guess it's better than hearing our commit can't get separation in a 7 on 7 drill...right? I think we are all in a deep Jones for real football to start.

 

[arrowryan]

I have to disagree with you in Brent's case. If it was just one rep I could understand that feeling but he's been taking it to some of the best corners in the country rep after rep and two camps in a row. He's making it look easy. That deserves praise.

I agree, but to an extent. I just feel that rankings are going to based too much on how they do in the flag football tournament.

As for Brent, he has done a great job. But I want to see him do that in the Army Game/Semper Fi Game/Under Armour Game

 

[koonja]

I agree, but to an extent. I just feel that rankings are going to based too much on how they do in the flag football tournament.

As for Brent, he has done a great job. But I want to see him do that in the Army Game/Semper Fi Game/Under Armour Game

Well it's easier to rank skill position players against other elite peers in a camp that simulates relevant drills than it is everybody go tear up the competition in your home town football games where everyone's playing a different level of competition.

 

[STLDomer]

I agree, but to an extent. I just feel that rankings are going to based too much on how they do in the flag football tournament.

As for Brent, he has done a great job. But I want to see him do that in the Army Game/Semper Fi Game/Under Armour Game

If u call The Opening a 7-7 a flag football game u have to admit those January games are rather meaningless too.

 

[arrowryan]

If u call The Opening a 7-7 a flag football game u have to admit those January games are rather meaningless too.

No because there is hitting in that. Shane Morris would not have gotten his *** litten up by Matthew Thomas in a 7on.

The other thing that kinda makes a 7on a little misleading is this. A wide receiver will go across the middle all day long in the Nike 7on. Do that in the January game and he'll be looking for your mouth piece and a little hesitant to go across the middle again.

I'm just rambling now.

 

[koonja]

I think 7 on 7's are great for measuring WR and DBs.

 

[STLDomer]

No because there is hitting in that. Shane Morris would not have gotten his *** litten up by Matthew Thomas in a 7on.

The other thing that kinda makes a 7on a little misleading is this. A wide receiver will go across the middle all day long in the Nike 7on. Do that in the January game and he'll be looking for your mouth piece and a little hesitant to go across the middle again.

I'm just rambling now.

But there's all the dumb rules like no zone, restrictions on formations, no blitzing etc.

 

[arrowryan]

But there's all the dumb rules like no zone, restrictions on formations, no blitzing etc.

I don't think they would have enough time to put all that stuff in. Gotta remember these are just high school kids.

 

[NDWorld247]

I don't think they would have enough time to put all that stuff in. Gotta remember these are just high school kids.

Time isn't the issue. All of the restrictions are for defenses to make the game more competitive otherwise offenses wouldn't be able to move the ball and the game wouldn't be entertaining.

I like 7v7 as an evaluation tool because it allows WRs to play with elite QBs and compete against elite DBs, neither of which usually happens in their hometowns. Same can be said for QBs and DBs.

However, as you said arrow, it should be taken with a grain of salt. It is only part of the evaluation, just as the All-American games are, but they give us a glimpse of what players are capable of when surrounded by, and competing against, elite talent. Plus, it's more entertaining than combine drills.

Only 60 days until Temple!

 

[peoriairish]

I asked Steve about why we didn't go after McLaurin. His response was too simple haha.

@SWiltfong247: @PatrickRich1856 They took Justin Brent and have other targets on the board like Corey Holmes.

Sometimes we make things too complicated.

 

[arrowryan]

Time isn't the issue. All of the restrictions are for defenses to make the game more competitive otherwise offenses wouldn't be able to move the ball and the game wouldn't be entertaining.

I like 7v7 as an evaluation tool because it allows WRs to play with elite QBs and compete against elite DBs, neither of which usually happens in their hometowns. Same can be said for QBs and DBs.

However, as you said arrow, it should be taken with a grain of salt. It is only part of the evaluation, just as the All-American games are, but they give us a glimpse of what players are capable of when surrounded by, and competing against, elite talent. Plus, it's more entertaining than combine drills.

Only 60 days until Temple!

I agree with your assessment. But it seems like only the really athletic kids benefit from this. I would love for them to add a wonderlic (sp) like the NFl does for rookies, because your athleticism will only get you so far. Because honestly I would like a kid to have a high football IQ over elite athleticism

 

[STLDomer]

I asked Steve about why we didn't go after McLaurin. His response was too simple haha.

@SWiltfong247: @PatrickRich1856 They took Justin Brent and have other targets on the board like Corey Holmes.

Sometimes we make things too complicated.

TJ said a similar thing. Also someone asked him about Curtis Samuel and grades were an issue

 

[STLDomer]

“@Stumpf_Brian: Arrion Springs, Jaleel Wadood, Naijiel Hale, Artavis Scott and Erik Brown set to announce tonight on @espnu coverage of @TheOpening_2013”

 

[STLDomer]

OL vs. DL is starting. They wear shoulder pads and helmets

 

[STLDomer]

JC Shurburtt

First time for me personally seeing Notre Dame OL commit Quenton Nelson in person. Long arms. Offensive tackle body type for sure.

Seeing Nelson side by side with Demetrius Knox - Nelson looks like he has an inch on him.

Nelson tested well yesterday too. 6-4.5, 302, 4.81 shuttle, 42 power ball.

 

[NDFAN22]

Carter has a leg injury and not dressed to participate at all.

 

[peoriairish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lorenzo Carter is in a knee brace a d not workong out today <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23theopening&src=hash">#theopening</a></p>— Scott Kennedy (@ScoutKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScoutKennedy/statuses/352118770350829568">July 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[STLDomer]

JC Shurburtt

Quenton Nelson- pretty physical

According to Steve Nelson just pancaked Da'Shawn Hand!!!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Sexy

 

[STLDomer]

Brian Perroni

Andrew Williams did a good job of fighting through a double team. He's stronger than he looks.

He's been recieving a lot of praise early

 

[NDdomer2]

Re: Helmets

I think the high school governing body from each state determines if helmets can be worn or not.

It may have changed since I was in HS (06 grad) but Indiana did not allow you to wear helmets or shoulder pads for summer camps.

 

[greyhammer90]

JC Shurburtt

Quenton Nelson- pretty physical

According to Steve Nelson just pancaked Da'Shawn Hand!!!

Is it weird that I just fist pumped like crazy in my office?

 

[NDWorld247]

Wiltfong - Nebraska commit Tanner Farmer and Notre Dame pledge Quenton Nelson impressing in 1on1s.