re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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Isaac Taylor-Stuart in coverage

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Mark Pope just dropped a slant route from Jarren Williams. Ball was a little high. Isaac Taylor-Stuart in coverage.

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Issac Taylor-Stuart just ran a 4.32 40

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Justin Rogers 71 yard toss.

Tanner McKee 68 yard toss.

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Tanner McKee throws a 68-yard bomb. #TCU commit Justin Rogers in the lead with 71.

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Corral wins it with 77 yard throw.

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DB Isaac Taylor-Stuart wins the fastest-man competition at #TheOpening

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BEAVERTON, Ore. — Saturday evening at The Opening Finals saw players break up into a camp-like setting to work on position-specific drills and 1-on-1s.

Here are our observations from watching the defensive linemen work out at the Nike World Headquarters.

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Next 3 Standouts

Nesta Silvera - The Miami pledge from Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage had a very strong day at defensive tackle. He is competitive and if he wins, he is going to let his opposition know it. He doesn’t back down from any opposition. The 6-foot-2, 308-pound defensive tackle explodes off the ground, gets under the lineman, and uses strength and leverage to move his man off the spot. He showed the ability to win with both technique and brute strength. He stood out among a good defensive tackle group.

Brenton Cox - The Ohio State commitment from Stockbridge (Ga.) has a mixture of size, speed and strength on the edge. The 6-foot-4.5, 247-pound has advanced technique with using his hands to shed a blocker and going at different speeds to keep the blocker off-balance. He doesn’t approach any two reps the same way. He showed the ability to work inside, around the edge or to take the blocker on in a physical standoff. His overall game came off as advanced against the opposition compared to many of his peers.

K.J. Henry - The 6-foot-5, 234-pound weak-side defensive end from Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth lived up to his lofty billing as the nation’s No. 15 prospect and No. 2 weak-side defensive end. He made his presence known lining up wide of the line, staying low off the snap, and blowing by offensive tackles with a nice shoulder lean and impressive quickness. He also effectively uses his length to finish plays quickly making the distance between he and the quarterback as short as possible.

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Expect Alabama to be in it until the end for five-star recruit K.J. Henry, the nation's No. 15 overall prospect.

Alabama is recruiting Henry as an outside linebacker and he said he talks to Alabama at least "a couple of times a week."

"It's always been high," said Henry, ranked as the nation's No. 2 weak side defensive end. "Coach Tosh (Lupoi) and coach (Nick) Saban have been really good to me in the process. Getting down there and communicating with them has been a really good process."

He took a trip to Alabama in early June, but said it was mostly to go with his younger teammates so they would see the school.

"My main goal and purpose was to help them out, but to get down there with the guys and the coaches was a good feel," Henry said.

The Clemmons, N.C., native has a top 10 featuring Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Georgia. Other schools are Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Louisville, South Carolina, Penn State and Charlotte.

"They'll be with me in the long run," Henry said Saturday at Nike's The Opening finals in Beaverton, Ore. "As an outside linebacker, I could definitely do some stuff off the edge.

"I'd say (their chances are) just as good as the other nine. It's crazy to say, but they're a good team and I'm liking all of those schools."

Henry said Virginia Tech is actually the school recruiting him the hardest, but he expects to take an official visit to Alabama sometime this fall. Henry will graduate in December and will make his commitment no later than mid-December.

"Coach Tosh (Lupoi), he really puts that into me," Henry said. "He's a really down to earth guy but he's live and very energetic. When you get into those little things like morning workouts, that's who you want on our side. He's very good at connecting with my mom and my dad. Just that relationship with him works well."

Henry said he should have his list trimmed to five in a month or so, after he talks it over more with his father, who is a football coach.

Alabama has one outside linebacker committed in Memphis, Tenn., four-star Jordan Davis, but is also making Henry a top priority.

"As long as they stay doing the right things, obviously with success on and off the field, I don't see why they wouldn't be (in it until the end)," Henry said.

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