BEAVERTON, Oregon — Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer has assembled college football's top-rated 2017 recruiting class in composite rankings, and several members of the group attended The Opening national finals this past week.
Held July 5-10 at Nike's world headquarters, the event featured more than 150 athletes from high school football squads across America. Recent alumni of The Opening include Leonard Fournette, Deshaun Watson, Ezekiel Elliott and Jalen Ramsey.
Ohio State recruits and targets arrived in abundance, competing alongside each other in seven-on-seven action and also making an impact in the trenches. Bleacher Report was in attendance throughout the week and observed a variety of Buckeyes-related developments.
J.K. Dobbins Receives Hardware from Former Buckeyes Star
J.K. Dobbins, a 5'9 ½, 199-pound running back from La Grange, Texas, committed to Ohio State in March. In Beaverton, he encountered one of the program's most impressive players of the Urban Meyer era.
Ezekiel Elliott, offensive MVP of the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship, was on location Friday when athletes underwent combine drills during the Nike Football Ratings Championship. An alumnus of The Opening, the dynamic Dallas Cowboys rookie running back commanded plenty of attention from recruits during his time on the field.
He spent some time with Dobbins shortly after the Ratings Championship wrapped up. The Lone Star State recruit took top honors at the event with a cumulative score of 146.76.
His effort included a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.09 in the agility shuttle, a 42-foot power ball toss and a 43.1-inch vertical leap.
"Honestly, I felt I should've done better," Dobbins told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani. "But, I came out on top, and that's been the main goal the whole time."
Elliott presented him with the trophy afterward. Now embarking on the next phase of his career, the No. 4 overall NFL draft pick appreciates a legacy of strong play at the position in Columbus will continue years after his departure.
"The thing that motivated me at Ohio State was continuing the lineage and upholding the reputation of the great pedigree of running backs," Elliott told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles (via Kirpalani). "To see the next guy up come out and represent for the Buckeyes—for that running back role that so many greats played in—it's really good to see that."
Dobbins, who rushed for 4,971 yards and 72 scores during the past two seasons, didn't take the moment lightly.
"It's cool, man," Dobbins said. "He was an Ohio State running back, and I'm going to be the future there, hopefully. He's a great guy."
QB Commit Tate Martell and Targets Join Forces but Fall Short in Tournament
Things couldn't have started on a more positive note for Team Alpha Pro, a seven-on-seven squad stocked with Ohio State targets. The squad, also heavy on Georgia commits, shredded its first opponent Saturday, 33-0, carrying the swagger of championship favorite.
The tandem of Elite 11 finalists Tate Martell and Bulldogs pledge Jake Fromm appeared prime to deliver a deep run. The supporting cast included priority Buckeyes recruits Tyjon Lindsey, Jeffrey Okudah and Trevon Grimes.
When competition resumed Sunday, several onlooking analysts anticipated Alpha Pro would climb toward the top of bracket play. However, after earning a first-round bye, momentum was squashed.
Alpha Pro lost consecutive games in shocking fashion, failing to score a point in either contest. Offensive drives routinely reached the goal line and stalled, to the frustration of Martell:
It wasn't a banner day for the Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas) star, who hasn't suffered a loss through two seasons at the school. He's also been one of the country's most productive and successful seven-on-seven field generals.
Despite some struggles at The Opening and ensuing criticism on social media from rival fanbases, Martell maintained his composure and kept things in perspective. He told B/R those days of working with Ohio State commits and targets at The Opening were invaluable, and also noted it's time to get back to work at Bishop Gorman:
Longtime Ohio State safety pledge Brendon White expressed confidence in the quarterback to help take this talented class to a new level.
"Tate brings a lot of swagger to us," he said. "He has some people doubting him because of his size [5'10 ½"], but he's a very good athlete. He's going to help us put together the nation's best class and win championships."
Ohio State in Excellent Shape to Add More Top Talent
No college football program presently carries more combined 4-star and 5-star commitments than Ohio State (13), but there's reason to believe the Buckeyes are just getting started toward a rather amazing recruiting class.
Several elite talents at The Opening include Ohio State in their top group of collegiate options, including multiple 5-star prospects. These possibilities include a pair of premier pass-catchers in Grimes and Lindsey.
Lindsey is one of Martell's closest friends. Although USC, Alabama and Auburn are also in the pursuit, the Buckeyes are widely viewed as a slight favorite over Big Ten foe Nebraska. Rated No. 4 nationally among receivers, he earned first-team all-tournament honors at The Opening and expects to announce a decision in August.
Grimes has repeatedly gone on record to identify Ohio State as his favorite. The nation's No. 5 receiver also plans to reveal college plans next month, potentially setting the stage for Meyer to land both before the season starts.
Former Alabama running back commit Cam Akers, who was among the most explosive offensive weapons in Beaverton, is also high on the Buckeyes after multiple trips to Columbus. Rated No. 2 among rushers in the 2017 class, he could complement Dobbins well for years to come.
The Buckeyes are also among favorites for 4-star Tennessee offensive tackle Trey Smith, who could be in line for a 5-star bump soon in composite rankings after another impressive performance on the camp circuit.
"The Buckeyes are definitely in good contention with me," the 6'5 ½", 299-pound blocker told B/R. "I love Urban Meyer. He's a good dude, and obviously a great coach. He's got a family atmosphere up there, which I like a lot. It's a top-notch program."
Defensively, there are just as many possibilities to imagine for Ohio State fans.
Okudah, the country's top-rated safety, and Browning, the No. 2 outside linebacker, are both strong candidates to join new coordinator Greg Schiano's attack. Texas linebacker Anthony Hines, who held the most offers at The Opening with 90 scholarships, is also considering the Buckeyes.
Maryland edge-rusher Chase Young is another exceptional talent who could be on commitment watch with Ohio State.
Interest also extended into the 2018 class at The Opening. Columbus-area all-purpose back Jaelen Gill was one of a few underclassmen invited. He's developed a strong rapport with Buckeyes assistant Tony Alford, and it may just be a matter of time until the local playmaker climbs aboard.
"This 2017 class is unreal," Gill said. "I also know they have a lot more great players coming in 2018, so things are going to keep getting better and better there."
Quotes and observations obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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