The Opening Dream Team
Elite 11 MVP - Corona (Calif.) Santiago quarterback Blake Barnett
Offensive Line MVP – Apopka (Fla.) offensive tackle Martez Ivey
Defensive Line MVP – Concord (Calif.) Clayton Valley defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie
SPARQ National Champion – Destrehan (La.) wide receiver Kirk Merritt
Tournament Championship – Apocalypse 19 - Land Sharks 0
First team offense
QB – Blake Barnett – There were a lot of ups and downs for all of the competitors all week long but the Alabama commit showed the most consistency, one of the weekend’s strongest arms and he led his team to a championship. His highs were as high as anyone’s and his lows weren’t nearly as low.
RB – Soso Jamabo – Even during the Nike Training Camp on Tuesday, Jamabo was impressive. He’s so big, quick and explosive but he also showed the ability to become one of Ricky Town’s top targets in the pass game as he helped his team to a championship game appearance. Baylor and Oklahoma are considered favorites in his recruitment.
Slot – Christian Kirk - Last year it was Ryan Switzer that couldn’t be stopped out of the slot at The Opening. This year it was Kirk. The undersized receiver isn’t necessarily an elite burner but he just gets open, has great hands and has a knack for making big plays. He had 8 touchdowns during pool play.
WR – Calvin Ridley – Ridley, an Alabama commit, may have been the best overall performer on offense during the event. He had the most spectacular catches, he was the best player on the best team and he did it in a variety of ways.
WR – Deon Cain – Cain just got better as the weekend went on. The Clemson commit is big but fluid, he catches the ball naturally and he became a major issue for defenses on Thursday. It’s shocking that he’s still new to the wide receiver position.
TE – CJ Conrad – With several talented tight ends in attendance, Conrad seemed to be the toughest to defend. A Kentucky commit, Conrad flashed really good hands and the body control to make catches in any scenario.
First team defense
LB – Malik Jefferson – It’s tough for a linebacker to shine in a 7on7 setting but Jefferson managed to stand out anyway. He had a pair of pick-6 plays on Wednesday and his athleticism and speed to the football was scary.
LB – Roquan Smith – It’s almost unfair to list Smith as a linebacker because he has a safety skill set. He was extremely disruptive, picking off three passes including a pick-6 on Wednesday. He would be a perfect fit for a school that uses a hybrid linebacker/safety role. Florida and Georgia are considered the favorites.
Nickel – Donte Jackson – Playing on both sides of the football, there may not have been another prospect that did more. He was picking balls off on defense, returning them for touchdowns, making plays out of the slot on offense. Jackson was another candidate as the overall MVP.
CB – Tarvarus McFadden – Currently uncommitted, McFadden is extremely long, shows great ball skills and was seemingly a regular returning interceptions down the sideline. He has the ability to totally disrupt the gameplan for a quick-game passing team.
CB – Kevin Toliver II – The most physically impressive cornerback on the hoof, Toliver got his hands on a ton of footballs and picked off a huge pass late in the day on Thursday to put his team a shot at the championship. He’s committed to LSU.
S – Justin Dunning – Coming off of an injury, Dunning was perhaps the breakout star of the event. He shows outstanding length and was all over the field picking off passes both days. The Texas A&M commit may have been the longest DB in attendance but he was as athletic as anyone.
S – Derwin James – The MVP of the event last year, James really turned up the intensity on Thursday come tournament time. He’s got the safety body you want and he made some huge plays to help his team get on track with a few interception ‘pick-6’s on Thursday.
Scarlett is nasty...
