re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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The premier showcase on the college football recruiting summer camp circuit is set to get underway next week when the The Opening kicks off at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.

The event will feature more than 160 of the nation’s top recruits in the country. A majority of them are in the 2017 cycle, but a handful of elite underclassmen will also compete against one another.

Additionally, the dozen Elite 11 finalists tabbed earlier this month will all be on hand.

Overall, 75 of the nation’s top 100 overall prospects in the 247Sports composite rankings will be in attendance.

So which players should fans be paying close attention to next week during the competition?

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20. 4-star QB Tua Tagovailoa

High School: St. Louis HS; Honolulu

Size: 6’1”, 215 lbs

Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama

Perhaps the biggest revelation at the Elite 11 Finals earlier this month was the performance put together by 4-star Alabama pledge Tua Tagovailoa.

The nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback wowed the Elite 11 staff and established himself as one of the nation’s elite passers in the 2017 cycle in the process.

He heads into The Opening with a wave of momentum he’s built up after working hard in the offseason to improve as a passer.

If he can replicate his strong showing at the Oakland regional and at the Elite 11 Finals, Tagovailoa has a chance to become the second Tide quarterback commit to claim Elite 11 MVP honors in the last three years.

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3. 5-star LB Dylan Moses

High School: IMG Academy; Bradenton, Florida

Size: 6’2”, 220 lbs

Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, LSU, Miami, Ohio State and Texas

If there’s one person who can relate to what Pappoe is going through as an underclassman and budding recruiting sensation, it’s 5-star linebacker Dylan Moses.

The Louisiana native has been a household name in recruiting circles since he was a freshman.

His return trip to The Opening is likely to be a proving ground for Moses, who lost his grip on the top overall spot in the 2017 cycle.

As Sayles detailed, Moses earned his second invite to the event with a dominant performance at the Houston regional.

With the nation’s best prospects on hand, Moses will have a chance to snatch back the crown of being billed as 2017’s top overall prospect.

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1. 5-Star DT Marvin Wilson

High School: Episcopal HS; Bellaire, Texas

Size: 6’4”, 329 lbs

Recruitment Status: Considering Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas

One of the biggest storylines of last year’s competition was the emphatic statement made by eventual Michigan signee Rashan Gary.

If there’s one defensive tackle in this year’s field capable of providing a similar performance to Gary’s, it would be 5-star Texas native Marvin Wilson.

Over the course of his freshman and sophomore seasons, Wilson tallied 103 tackles, including 34 tackles for loss and 19 sacks.

Tipping the scales at nearly 330 pounds, Wilson has the power and athleticism to be nearly unblockable in a one-on-one setting.

If he can approach the level Gary performed at last year, Wilson could exit Beaverton with eyes on claiming the top overall spot in the 2017 cycle.

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1. Jaylon Smith
2. Raekwon McMillan

3. Reuben Foster

The Skinny: Foster's recruiting process was one of the more chaotic ones in recent years. After making a commitment to Alabama prior to his junior season, Foster made several visits to Georgia and Auburn and eventually flipped to the Tigers. However, the coaching change at Auburn caused him to re-open his process and take official visits to Auburn, Alabama, Washington, Georgia and San Diego State. Again it came down to Auburn and Alabama and finally he committed to the Crimson Tide two days before National Signing Day.

Farrell’s Take: Foster showed us how special he could be at the Five-Star Challenge, especially on the first day of drills. He was a massive linebacker but had light feet and could cover very well against speedy backs and tight ends. His true strength, of course, was his ability to get downhill and thump but he showcased his versatility at our first event at Atlanta.


4. Cameron Smith

5. Ben Davis

The Skinny: While Davis also took official visits to Notre Dame and LSU, this one always looked destined to come down to either Alabama or Auburn. Growing up minutes from Tuscaloosa and with his father having played for the Crimson Tide, most assumed that Alabama was the clear choice. And while he did commit to the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day, Auburn made a significant push after its official visit and gave Davis plenty to think about while Georgia was also very much in the picture.

Farrell’s Take: It’s odd that Jaylon Smith is the only pure outside linebacker on this list as the others are inside guys who did a great job of making passing lanes tighter and making the field smaller for quarterbacks. Davis has more length than anyone but Smith on this list and Davis made the most of it. I could foresee him moving up here over the next few years.

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PHENIX CITY, Ala. -- Scout released its initial class of 2018 rankings this week and Central-Phenix City wide receiver Justyn Ross was the highest ranked in Alabama, coming in at No. 72 overall.

Analysis

SOPHOMORE EVAL: Ross is a physical specimen on the outside, still adjusting to football as basketball was his first love as a long and lean talent. His immense size and physicality make him a mismatch anywhere on the football field when coupled with his well above-average speed. While Ross has the tools to be the top prospect in Alabama, route-running polish is lacking at this time.

Even coming off of a torn ACL and being unable to play basketball or hit the camp and combine circuit deep into his junior year, it's easy to see the high ceiling with Phenix City (Ala.) Central wide receiver Justyn Ross.

The class of 2018 prospect is a specimen at near 6-foot-5, 200 pounds and has programs from the SEC like Alabama, Auburn and Florida vying for his services as well as those around the country like USC, Florida State, Michigan, Penn State and others doing the same.

Ross opens the class of 2018 rankings on Scout as the top prospect in Alabama and the No. 72 overall prospect in America.

"Justyn is the type of guy that even if they put two on him, he still makes plays," Central coach Jamey DuBose said. "He's a guy that's got sprinter speed and he's very physical, that's probably the most surprising to me. He is one of the best blocking receivers I've had in the game."

DuBose breaks down his game further with Scout (above).

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