re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition

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think Burns is the easy scapegoat replacing Lashlee. AU fans always need one

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First off, if you don't work for CNN.. you should. But where did you hear that? Or was that your observation from the newest assignments? Please provide insight for me.. because we also added three new coaches.

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We saw at least SOME develpment at WR last year

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ALPHA DOG

The nation’s No. 1 offensive guard Jamaree Salyer was dominant taking reps at all three offensive line positions in earning an invite to The Opening Finals to be held at the Nike World Headquarters in Oregon the first week of July.

Armed with one of the best punches on in the country, the Atlanta (Ga.) Pace standout knocked defensive lineman off balance on the inside and outside. The five-star U.S. Army All-American easily held off some of the best defensive tackles in the country defeating guys like Florida State commit Robert Cooper while also winning reps at tackle against the extremely quick Brenton Cox who are both ranked inside the Top100

Salyer doesn’t plan on making a college decision until after his season season with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Stanford and Florida among the schools he’s strongly considering. The Bulldogs are the heavy 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite.

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NEXT FIVE OFFENSE

Ellenwood (Ga.) Hazelwood Top247 receiver Jadon Haselwood showed why he’s such a ballyhooed recruit and ranked by 247Sports as the No. 2 player in the country at his position. Toasting some of the top defensives back at the event, the Georgia commit can get open against any coverage, flashed terrific ball skills, and was also strong in the red zone portion.

Birmingham (Ala.) Mountain Brook Top247 running back Harold Joiner has a unique blend of size (6-3, 215), elusiveness and versatility. Joiner was smooth in position drills, made linebackers miss in cat and mouse and caught the ball extremely well including downfield in the 7-on-7 portion. Auburn and LSU are the top two contenders for the four-star recruit.

Oxford (Ala.) High 2019 offensive guard Clay Webb is the same caliber prospect as Salyer. Great feet, incredible strength, good technique allowed him to have his way during most reps of 1-on-1s. 247Sports ranks Webb as the nation’s No. 2 offensive guard in his class with Alabama and Auburn being two of the programs he’s strongly considering.

Phenix City (Ala.) Central Top247 receiver Justyn Ross was invited to The Opening finals. A smooth player, uses his big body well to defeat helpless defensive backs, creates separation that way. Ross is reliable catching it, aggressive with his hands. Auburn is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite with Alabama squarely in the mix.

Through position drills and the cat and mouse portion there wasn’t a more exciting running back than Top247 recruit Asa Martin who gave linebackers fits in the open field. In addition to those abilities, Martin is a presence in the passing game and will bring a lot of versatility to whichever program he signs with. Florida is trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball.

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ALSO INVITED TO THE OPENING

Six in all were invited to The Opening Finals with more certainly expected along the way.

In addition to Salyer, Ross, Tindall, Allen and Peterson, Buford running back Christian Turner received a Golden Ticket. An explosive prospect that caught the football well, Turner spoke highly of Tennessee, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and N.C. State.

In other Buford running back news, teammate Anthony Grant was one of the day’s top performers, showing off nice change of direction and wiggle in drills and good burst in cat and mouse.

No question Buford boasts one of the backfields in America.

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AROUND THE CAMP

Ohio State quarterback commit Emory Jones flashed the most potential physically with a few eye-popping throws. Moves extremely well.

No quarterback was more consistent or accurate during the Elite 11 drills portion that Wake Forest commit Sam Hartman.

Texas A&M commit Cade Fortin was another that flashed several times on a variety of throws.

Minnesota running back commit Nolan Edmonds is every bit of a three-down back that tracks the football well downfield.

Tucker (Ga.) High receiver Josh Vann was a crisp route runner with natural soft hands.

The top tight end at the event was Top247 recruit Will Mallory who had as many receptions as anyone during the 7-on-7 portion.

Brownsburg (Ind.) High 2019 receiver Bryce Kirtz ran 4.53, was one of the fastest players on site at his position and regularly got behind defenses.

Top247 receiver Kearis Jackson tested well including a 4.57 laser-timed 40-yard dash. Explosive coming out of his breaks creating separation from the defensive backs.

The nation’s No. 2 offensive guard Trey Hill will likely be one that gets invited to The Opening down the road. Built like a tree trunk, Hill moves well, keeps defensive linemen in front of him and doesn’t give up his position. Hill is a U.S. Army All-American.

Nobody put more defensive linemen in the dirt than LSU’s 2019 commit Kardell Thomas. Just a violent blocker.

America’s No. 1 offensive guard Keiondre Jones has a lot of ability, used his terrific feet to slow those speed rushers on the edge when playing tackle in this event.

Defensive tackles Allen Love and CJ Wright flashed a bunch during 1-on-1s.

Florida State defensive tackle commit Tru Thompson has improved using his hands and consistently got under guys when he got his hands on them. One of the few to be able to move Trey Hill.

The most explosive pass rusher was Top247 defensive end Brenton Cox. Another with powerful hands. Georgia is the heavy 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite with Ohio State pushing hard.

Michigan commit Otis Reese played safety but he has incredible traits as a downhill linebacker down the road.

Top247 cornerback Christian Tutt covered like a blanket, always had the receivers inside hip. His top three is Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State with Georgia still in the mix.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School safety Brendon Harris showed strong cover skills and a bulked up frame.

Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake cornerback Myles Sims was the quickest defensive back at the event and he has a huge wingspan. Michigan looks like the team to beat.

Atlanta (Ga.) Carver four-star safety Quindarious Monday and Orlando (Fla.) Jones cornerback Brandon Cross each made a ton of plays on the football.

Bowling Green (Ky.) High 2020 Devito Tisdale looks like he will be one of America’s most highly-sought after safeties by the time he signs. Looked good at cornerback in this setting.

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Sunday wasn't a day to rest for 2017 Auburn buck end signee Markaviest Bryant, affectionately known as Big Cat.

It was a day to work.

And who did Bryant, one of the top Tigers signees, train with?

None other than former Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams. Adams isn't just a top NFL Draft prospect who potentially could go in the first round, he is Bryant's cousin. The two were joined by Shelton Felton, who caoched Bryant at Crisp County (Ga.) and Adams back at Dooly County (Ga.)

"We went for about an hour," Bryant said. "We worked on a lot of things, like hand quickness, ball get-off. Things like that. We did the hoop bend. (Adams) is trying to get me ready (for college). He's trying to help me out. Telling me what things to look for."

According to Bryant, he and Adams spoke at length the day before Bryant's pick of the Tigers over LSU and Georgia on National Signing Day. But Adams didn't push him to Auburn, he noted.

"He just told me what was going on," Bryant said. "Naturualy, he preferred me to go to Auburn. But it was just like a big brother talk. Afterward, he sent me a message that said, 'War Eagle.' He said he was happy for me and said it was going to be a great experience. He said, 'I know you'll love it.'"

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