The Opening 2011 Nike Training Camp

[BGIF]

The Opening - Nike Football

98 Blue Chip recruits will go through 5 days (July 5th - 9th) of training and head to head competition. Five of the current ND Verbals were selected for the camp. Good opportunity for the ND guys to move up the rankings and do some ND recruiting.

ND Verbals selected:
Greenberry
Ferguson
Harrell
Perkins
Shepard

Other Recruits of Interest include:
Zach Banner
Sheldon Day
TJ Davis (for WhiskyJack)
Joshua Garnett
Korren Kirven
William Mahone
Durron Neal
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Armani Reeves
KeiVarae Russell
Elijah Shumate

 

[beryirish]

Artilcle on ESPN

Top recruits looking forward to The Opening - ESPN

Eager for Beaverton
The top national recruits are looking forward to catching up with friends and competing

By Corey Long
ESPN Recruiting

Archive Beginning Monday, the top performers and prospects from this year's Nike football training camps will battle in The Opening at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.

For many players, it's a chance to catch up with friends they have met on the camping circuit this offseason, but it's also an opportunity to get a first look at guys they've heard about but never seen.
The Opening Loaded With Talent
Some of the country's elite prospects will be part of Nike's newest training competition.
• When: July 5-9
• Where: Beaverton, Ore.
• Complete roster
"I don't know many of the guys coming but I'm looking forward to meeting them and having some spirited competition," said Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.) offensive lineman Zach Banner.

The Opening, presented by Nike football, is a five-day program of training and competition that will put a spotlight on every part of the game. There will be a 7-on-7 tournament, a lineman challenge and the SPARQ Rating National Championship.

"Anytime you create an environment of competition for this caliber of athlete it is always fun to see how guys respond when they are truly challenged," said ESPN's director of recruiting Tom Luginbill. "I am very interested to see the overall accuracy of the quarterbacks when they are playing with guys they are not familiar with."

Of the 150 prospects invited, 59 of them are in the ESPNU 150 and the ones that aren't in the top 150 are certainly eager to prove they belong there.

"I'm ready to compete against the top guys in the nation to see where I'm at," said Oak Grove (San Jose) athlete Cleveland Wallace III. "Any competitor would jump at an opportunity like this."

Players will also have the opportunity to take full advantage of the coaching available for the event and use the time to work on areas they want to improve.


By The Numbers
Here are some facts about the event.


Top states represented
• California -- 29 prospects
• Florida -- 27 prospects
• Texas -- 16 prospects
• Georgia -- 13 prospects
• Ohio -- 9 prospects

Top schools represented
• Texas -- 6
• Miami -- 6
• Michigan -- 5
• Notre Dame -- 5
• USC -- 4
• Alabama -- 4

Position breakdown
• DBs -- 37
• WRs -- 26
• LBs -- 21
• OL -- 18
• DL -- 16
• RBs -- 11
• ATHs -- 8
• QBs -- 7
• TEs -- 6

Three 2013 prospects in attendance
• Derrick Henry, RB
(Yulee, Fla./ Yulee)
• Altee Tenpenny, RB
(North Little Rock, Ark./ N. Little Rock)
• Laremy Tunsil, OL
(Lake City, Fla./ Columbia)


Texas commit Peter Jinkens, an ESPNU 150 linebacker from Dallas Skyline, is hoping to get some tips at the event.

"I'm really looking forward to the 7-on-7 stuff because I'm trying to improve my coverage and get that part of my game tighten up," Jinkens said. "Maybe they will put a couple of us future Longhorns on the same team."

Corvallis High School (Corvallis, Ore.) offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo is excited to compete, but he doesn't want to put too much stock into some of the drills.

"Everyone puts a lot of pressure on the one-on-ones, but it's just a competing event," Seumalo said. "On Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sundays in the fall is when the real action happens. Someone might really look great in one-on-ones but it doesn't mean they are that good when the pads come on."

Still the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Oregon State commit is ready to meet up with some friends he met on the camp circuit.

"I know most of the offensive linemen like Josh Garrett [Puyallup, Wash./Puyallup], Zach Banner and Eric Magnuson [Cardiff, Calif./La Costa Canyon]," Seumalo said. "It will be cool to hang out with those guys."

Luginbill says this event will be especially good for several prospects who will be switching positions in college. They will have several days to be coached and learn the nuances of their new position.

"It will be fun to see guys making a transition to another position like Joel Caleb [Richmond, Va./Clover Hill] at wide receiver," Luginbill added. "We love Dominic Ramacher [Denton, Texas/Guyer] and think he could really showcase himself in this environment. Tight end Christo Kourtzidis [Fullerton, Calif./Orange Lutheran] was getting a lot of attention in SEC/ACC country and recently committed to FSU so I am looking forward to seeing him."

The SPARQ ratings national championship would appear to favor linebackers and wide receivers based on the need to combine elite speed and strength, but Banner says not to dismiss the big guys.

"I'm very athletic for my size [6-8, 305 pounds] and my last 40 time with a 5.01 so I think I can compete for the overall title," Banner said. "I know the big guys generally dominate the strength events and lose points on the speed events but I can do both."

Still, expect the linebackers and cornerbacks to be the ones to beat. Last year, safety Ryan Henderson, a USC signee, won the event, edging out linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days, who signed with Georgia Tech.

 

[BGIF]

Luginbill says this event will be especially good for several prospects who will be switching positions in college. They will have several days to be coached and learn the nuances of their new position.

And, the rankers will have an opportunity to evaluate then at those different positions. Perkins was listed at The Open site as LB while he. Harrell an ranked as an OT but there's talk that ND will move in inside to center. The Open simply lists Harrell as an OL. I'm curious to see if Harrell does play OT at the camp or if he moves inside. With this exposure, he should move up in the rankings regardless.

Perkins Rankings:
Rivals: , #21 ATH, Rating 5.7
Scout: , #28 OLB
ESPN: , #39 ATH, Grading 79
247: , NR ATH, Rating 91

Harrell's Rankings:
Rivals: , OT #52
Scout: , OT #47
ESPN: , OT #46
24/7: , 87 out of 110

 

[IrishLax]

Is Harrel still injured?

 

[BGIF]

Is Harrel still injured?

From the June 30th article beryirish posted in Harrell's Profile, Harrell seems to think he is O.K. He's going to compete.

“It’s going to be a bit of a challenge,” Harrell said of The Opening. “There are some really, really good guys out there. I was looking at that list and there are a lot of highly-rated guys out there, some big guys. I think it’s going to be a test. I just want to go and show what I’m made of. I feel like I have something to go out and prove. I feel like it’ll help me in the future because I’m not going to be playing against kids like that every Friday during my high school season.”

Harrell admitted being a bit surprised about receiving an invitation because he wasn’t able to participate in a Nike Football Training Camp back in May due to injury. Harrell ruptured a tendon in his foot during football season, but it wasn’t diagnosed until about a week before the training camp in Durham, N.C., on May 22nd.

“You had to go to that training camp to get an invite, but I was out with a ruptured tendon before I was able to do that,” he said. “It was nice to have them evaluate my film still. I sent it back into them and was like, ‘If you want to look at it, you can. If not, I understand.’ It’s nice to be considered one of the best. I know I’m not the highest-rated prospect at that camp. I’m probably one of the lower-rated linemen to be honest, but it’ll be fun to go out and try to prove something and see what I can do.”

 

[Couv Domer]

I live about 35 - 40 minutes from where this event is being held and I'm trying to figure out if I can watch...would love to wear some ND attire and check out our recruits as well as others. Tried to find event info in the Oregonian but haven't had much luck so far.

Anybody out there know address of event or other detailed info.? Thx.

 

[BGIF]

I live about 35 - 40 minutes from where this event is being held and I'm trying to figure out if I can watch...would love to wear some ND attire and check out our recruits as well as others. Tried to find event info in the Oregonian but haven't had much luck so far.

Anybody out there know address of event or other detailed info.? Thx.

Event: "The Opening" Presented by Nike
Date: July 5 - 9, 2011
Location: Nike World Headquarters: Beaverton, Ore

Call Nike and ask for specifics.

 

[beryirish]

Here is the link to ESPN Podcast.

Chat: Prospects at The Opening - ESPN

It is a live chat with the prospects that are there. Haven't looked at it yet just wanted to give it to you guys first.

Dave Hooker: Some notes coming - Erik Magnuson said he'll be recruiting Zach Banner, the 6-8, 335-pound tackle from Washington, and Kyle Murphy, the 6-7, 270-pound tackle from California, hard this week.

Corey Long: He says he's 100% committed to Ohio State, but he's visited Michigan. He has plans to visit Penn State and Miami in the future.

JeremyCrabtreeESPN: Just visited with David Perkins. He was decked out in a ND hat. He plans to do plenty of recruiting this week for the Irish.

Comment From DanielDaniel
Any guess where Dorial Green-Beckham ends up signing?
Corey Long: I hear Oklahoma is the leader for DGB

Dave Hooker: David Perkins picked Notre Dame over Michigan State, Tennessee, Oregon, Syracuse and Penn State. Not sure about future visits. "I kind of think of it as a commitment but you only get to do this once."

Comment From JoeJoe: ]
Corey, do you think ND has a shot with Andrus Peat after his visit?
Corey Long: Yes, he loves the academics there.

JeremyCrabtreeESPN: Just visited with DeForest Buckner from Hawaii. Great kid. He's got a tremendous frame. He said he's got eight scholarship offers, but Oregon, UCLA and Cal stand out to him. He really talked highly about Tosh Lupoi at Cal.

JeremyCrabtreeESPN: Deforest said he's really looking hard at staying in the Pac 12, but he did mention the impact of ND with Te'o and that's something everybody is talking about on the Islands.

JeremyCrabtreeESPN: Maty Mauk seems to be the best chance for UM at this point. As it stands right now, the Wolverines likely are not his leader. His brother was successful under current Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, and it would not be a surprise us to see Mauk commit to the Irish in the near future. Missouri is also legitimately in the mix.

Comment From Russ Russ: ]
What are the chances of Keith Marshall ending up at ND? If not Keith, who is the most likely top RB prospect that could end up there?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:49 Russ
4:50 Corey Long: I think Georgia might have a good track on Keith. ND and UNC are also there.

 

[Ironman8]

^ The second quote is referring to Brionte Dunn. Erik Magnuson is an extremely solid Michigan commit.

Thanks for the link - just read through. Found an interesting tidbit relating to Deforest:

JeremyCrabtreeESPN: Deforest said he's really looking hard at staying in the Pac 12, but he did mention the impact of ND with Te'o and that's something everybody is talking about on the Islands.

 

[beryirish]

^ Would you mind specifying who the second quote is about. I believe it's referring to Brionte Dunn, but not positive. Erik Magnuson is an extremely solid Michigan commit.

Thanks for the link - just read through. Found an interesting tidbit relating to Deforest:

Whoops...yeah it's Brionte Dunn.

Big conversation with Joshua Garnett....

Corey Long: Josh Garnett is here.
Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:32 Corey Long
4:32 [Comment From guestguest: ]
Mr. Garnett what has michigan been you recruiting you on? have they stated academics as a major role?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:32 JeremyCrabtreeESPN
4:33 Corey Long: They have stated academics because they know he wants strong academics. But they are also talking with him about the legacy.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:33 Corey Long
4:34 Corey Long: Josh is considering UM, Stanford, Cal, ND, Washington, UCLA, USC, Auburn and a couple more.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:34 Corey Long
4:34 [Comment From brianbrian: ]
josh garnett, any truth to the rumor that you were a usc fan growing up


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:34 brian
4:35 Corey Long: Yes, he loved USC growing up and when Reggie Bush was there. I think every kid loved seeing them play.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:35 Corey Long
4:35 [Comment From DynastyDynasty: ]
Does Garnett want to stay in state, or go to school in beautiful southern california?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:35 Dynasty
4:35 Corey Long: He's laughing. He wouldn't mind leaving the cold to be honest.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:35 Corey Long
4:35 [Comment From TomTom: ]
Josh, tackle or guard?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:35 Tom
4:35 Corey Long: He is open to either position but most schools will start him at tackle.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:35 Corey Long
4:36 [Comment From RandRand: ]
where does Oregon stand with Josh?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:36 Rand
4:36 Corey Long: Oregon is still on the list. He has to see how the NCAA issues are going to shake down. But they are still in the hunt.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:36 Corey Long
4:36 [Comment From TimTim: ]
What school is recruiting Josh the hardest?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:36 Tim
4:36 Corey Long: Not really one. Every school is coming at him strong but each school does something different.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:36 Corey Long
4:36 [Comment From GBODGBOD: ]
Josh, what has been the most interesting part of this process for you?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:36 GBOD
4:37 Corey Long: Most interesting part is being able to connect with the school and coaches and players you grew up watching. Everything becomes a lot more real.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:37 Corey Long
4:38 [Comment From Action FigureAction Figure: ]
Josh, do you like Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles as much as your good friend, Zach Banner?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:38 Action Figure
4:38 Corey Long: No Josh is eating healthy these days. Zach has a little more leeway.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:38 Corey Long
4:38 [Comment From JosephJoseph: ]
zach, are you a banner planning on playing together?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:38 Joseph
4:39 Corey Long: Josh says they are good friends and playing together is a possibility.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:39 Corey Long
4:39 [Comment From GBODGBOD: ]
Josh, you mention academics are important to you; what are some other aspects you are evaluating in a potential college?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:39 GBOD
4:39 Corey Long: Definitely the coaching staff and especially the posiiton coach. How he can connect with the players and his ability to compete early.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:39 Corey Long
4:39 [Comment From Go BlueGo Blue: ]
Josh, describe your game to someone that hasn't seen you play


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:39 Go Blue
4:40 Corey Long: Explosive. Tries to model his game after the theory that linemen should be bullets and not bowling balls. He is a finisher and a little more aggressive and dirty than necessary. He gets the job done.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:40 Corey Long
4:40 [Comment From JohnJohn: ]
How hard is Josh looking at UCLA? He has relatives pushing him there right? Bruins all day JG!!


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:40 John
4:41 Corey Long: I wouldn't say pushing him there. UCLA is there because of the prestigious medical school.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:41 Corey Long
4:42 Corey Long: Josh is going to study biomechanics as an undergrad and looking into getting into the orthopeadic stem cell medicine afterwards.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:42 Corey Long
4:42 [Comment From ND FanND Fan: ]
Josh, I think you should be our #1 target. Do you feel ND has made you a priority?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:42 ND Fan
4:42 Corey Long: Yes they have made him a priority and the coaches haven't pressured him but they are very interested.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:42 Corey Long
4:42 [Comment From Joseph (TX)Joseph (TX): ]
Josh, can you describe how Cal appeals to you?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:42 Joseph (TX)
4:43 Corey Long: He went there last month and loves the players and the strength program. No. 1 undergrad pre-med school. Bioengineering program is excellent. Loves the way they develop linemen.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:43 Corey Long
4:43 [Comment From Go BlueGo Blue: ]
What do you like to do when you are not busy with football?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:43 Go Blue
4:44 Corey Long: He loves to research a lot on sports medicine and he'll play a little XBox. Not much of a partier. He actually brought his sports medicine book with him. He's always ready.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:44 Corey Long
4:45 [Comment From TimTim: ]
Josh is Tosh Lupoi recruiting you for Cal?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:45 Tim
4:45 Corey Long: Yes he is. He's a great guy and knows how to relate to the recruits. He's a no nonsense guy.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:45 Corey Long
4:45 Corey Long: One more question.


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:45 Corey Long
4:45 [Comment From DynastyDynasty: ]
I see Josh listed at 6'5 275 lbs. What weight does he hope to play at in college?


Tuesday July 5, 2011 4:45 Dynasty
4:46 Corey Long: 6'5 about 301 these days. 275 is a distant memory. Hoping to cut 10 pounds before going into college?

 

[NYIrish14]

I am the one who was responsible for the Peat question...did yoiu switch my name to Joe Joe? lol

 

[BGIF]

The recruited become the recruiters - ESPN

By Corey Long
ESPN Recruiting
7/7/11

...

Zach Kline is always talking to me about Cal," said Everett (Wash.) Mariner running back KeiVarae Russell. "He watches my film, and he just wants me to go there and be on the same team with him. He says the coaches talk with him about me all the time.

...

A lot of the players from the Southeast haven't really talked to me because I guess they think I'm too far," Russell said.

However, Notre Dame is in Russell's top three, and the six Notre Dame commits have definitely taken notice.

"The Notre Dame recruits are coming at me pretty hard," Russell joked. "They are coming from all directions really. They are definitely getting some athletes."

 

[InKellyITrust]

Don't know how many of you have ESPNU, but the Opening is airing tonight, tomorrow and Saturday on ESPNU from 9PM-10PM.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Don't know how many of you have ESPNU, but the Opening is airing tonight, tomorrow and Saturday on ESPNU from 9PM-10PM.

Set to record. Can't wait.

 

[BleedBlue&Gold]

.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Need to add TJ Davis to the "Other Recruits of Interest" section.

 

[jason_h537]

David Perkins had a strong showing at the camp. Also the Irish guys have been recruiting hard with some saying on twitter/facebook/sites etc, that they hope to leave with 2 more guys on board.

You guys can speculate who those two may be.

 

[BGIF]

Need to add TJ Davis to the "Other Recruits of Interest" section.

Done.

BTW, the complete title in the OP is, "Other Recruits of Interest include:"

 

[IrishLax]

7on7 airing now on ESPNU. Interested to see how the ND guys do... heard Greenberry had a big day.

 

[IrishLax]

Greenberry drawing double coverage on the first drive but his team scores a TD. Turns out 7 on 7 is played just like Stanford Hall section football but with a 4 second clock instead of a 2 man OL/DL rush. Pretty fun to watch.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Bryce Treggs just blew by his defender and caught a long TD pass. Great speed. Man, I hope this kid picks ND. I know he's favoring Cal, but "c'mon maaann."

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Bryce Treggs just blew by his defender and caught a long TD pass. Great speed. Man, I hope this kid picks ND. I know he's favoring Cal, but "c'mon maaann."

Is he #7? I just turned it on and saw a replay that was pretty sweet. It's a little difficult to pick out who's who if they don't put the name on the screen. Pretty cool to watch though.

 

[IrishLax]

Treggs also just got dominated physically by a 5'9" guys showing why he's definitely a good fit in the slot. Really lacks physicality.

Greenberry has been double covered literally the entire time. Just got behind double coverage on the last play but QB underthrew the deep route and he was picked off. Don't think the knocks on his speed are very warranted.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I saw a tweet earlier that Greenberry caught a deep TD on a go route.

 

[IrishLax]

I saw a tweet earlier that Greeneberry caught a deep TD off a good move.

Yeah if you search Twitter for Greenberry and select "all tweets" you'll sees tons of analysts blowing up on Greenberry for this this morning's performance. I'm guessing that is why he drawing double coverage all game.

In other news, Treggs just had an awful drop. Hit him square in the hands standing still.

 

[IrishLax]

Siiiiiick concentration on that catch by Treggs in traffic. And then he followed it up with another TD grab. Outside of his bad drop and the play where he got beasted by the 5'9" guy he has been damn near unstoppable.

In the next game TJ Davis had a really good play early. Justin Ferguson has had some chances but just popped up a poorly thrown ball from Chad Kelly and it was picked. In other news, Chad Kelly talks like a total moron. Was not expecting that.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Article from ESPN about ND commits at the Opening

Notre Dame commits making their presence felt at The Opening - ESPN

 

[IrishLax]

Great find with that article!

Clearly shows how important those wins at the end of next year and the momentum they generated was. It's absolutely imperative that we come out and play some 10 win football this year to keep the program rolling in the right direction.

 

[Cali_domer]

Article from ESPN about ND commits at the Opening

Notre Dame commits making their presence felt at The Opening - ESPN

Sweet article! Love to read that .

 

[clashmore_mike]

"The first time I walked to the stadium, I cried, it was so nice," Shepard said. "I love that school. I wear green and gold proud."