The Opening Finals move to Dallas for 2018. (Letterman Row/Courtesy photo) 
Ohio State Football Recruiting
The Opening Finals 2018: Ohio State news, full rosters, live updates
Welcome to The Opening Finals 2018.
For the first time ever, this recruiting bonanza will not be held at the palatial Nike estate in Beaverton, Ore. Instead, this go ’round is deep in the heart of Texas at the practice home of the Dallas Cowboys: The Star in Frisco.
What exactly is The Opening? Here’s the description from its own website.
The Opening Finals, presented by Nike Football, is three days of dynamic training, coaching and competition for the country’s most elite high school football players. Every position and every aspect of the game will be highlighted over the course of the three-day program. The Opening Finals is undoubtedly the most high profile high school football event in the nation.
It’s absolutely a world-class event for the approximately 160 players fortunate enough to earn a selection for the event.
The Opening Finals 2018 Schedule of Events
- SATURDAY, JUNE 30
- 10:00am-12:00pm • QB/WR/TE Morning Practice (The Star – Indoor Field)
- 12:00pm-12:15pm • Interview Session (The Star – Indoor Field)
- 8:30pm-9:15pm • Opening Ceremony at Tostitos Plaza
- SUNDAY, JULY 1
- 3:00pm-6:30pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals – Training Camp at The Star
- 6:30pm-6:45pm • Interview Session after Training Camp
- 7:00pm-9:00pm • Media Information Desk Open at The Star
- 8:00pm-9:30pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals – Showcase at The Star
- MONDAY, JULY 2
- 10:00am-1:00pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals – 7on7 Jamboree at The Star
- 1:30pm-4:30pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals-Linemen Session #1 at Baylor SPC
- 6:00pm-9:00pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals-7on7 Championship Tourney (1st two rounds)
- TUESDAY, JULY 3
- 8:30am-11:30am • Nike Football The Opening Finals-Linemen Session #2 at The Star
- 8:30am-12:00pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals-7on7 Championship Tourney
- 12:05pm-12:30pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals-Final 5 (Lineman 1 on 1 Finals) at The Star
- 1:00pm-2:00 pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals – 7on7 Championship Game
- 2:00pm-2:15pm • Nike Football The Opening Finals – Awards Ceremony
Ohio State recruiting updates at the Opening Finals 2017
Check back at 10 p.m. Eastern for live updates and analysis on Ohio State recruiting targets at the Opening Finals.
If you want to see what’s happening with Ohio State prospects at The Opening, we’ll be talking about it here in the Lettermen Row forums, but you can also follow along with tweets from the event here.
The Opening finals 2018 full rosters
There are some 160 top prospects in attendance this weekend in Dallas. Top Ohio State 2019 targets are in bold, 2020 prospects are in italics. Current Ohio State commitments are all in capital letters.
Team Overdrive
QB: Bryan Maurer, Spencer Rattler
RB: Jase McClellan, Kenny McIntosh
WR: Trejan Bridges, Jaylen Ellis, Arjei Henderson, Frank Ladson, Theo Wease,
TE: Austin Stogner
OL: Branson Bragg, Warren McClendon, EJ Ndoma-Ogar
LB: Bryton Constantine, Aeneas Dicosmo
CB: Jordan Clark, Chester Kimbrough, Tyrique Stevenson, Derek Stingley Jr.,
S: Kyle Hamilton, Joshua Sanguinetti,
ATH: Quinten Johnson
DL: George Karlaftis, Nana Osafo-Mensah, Ishmael Sopsher, Travon Walker
Who to watch: While there aren’t a lot of big names for Ohio State in this group, I’m eager to see the country’s No. 1-ranked cornerback Derek Stingley Jr and Purdue commit George Karlaftis.
Team Impact
QB: Ryan Hilinski, Graham Mertz
RB: Noah Cain, Zachary Evans
WR: Colby Bowman, Kyle Ford, Jeremiah Payton, Lance Wilhoite
TE: Jude Wolfe
ATH: Mark Anthony-Richards
OL: Due Clemens, Evan Neal, Jonah Tauanu’u
LB: Kalen Deloach, Justin Flowe, Nick Jackson
CB: Jaden Davis, Trent McDuffie, Cameron Smith, Chris Steele, Salim Turner-Muhammad
S: JORDAN BATTLE, Keontra Smith
DL: Joseph Anderson, Mohamoud Diabate, Nathan Pickering: Kayvon Thibodeaux
Who to watch: The running back combination of Noah Cain and Zachary Evans is special, but at events like this one, it’s not a position that gets much love. I am excited to see South Carolina commit Ryan Hilinski and Wisconsin pledge Graham Mertz, two quarterbacks who both rank among the top three in the nation, in my opinion.
Team Hype
QB: Dylan Morris, Taulia Tangovailoa
RB: Patrick Garwo, Trey Sanders
WR: Joshua Delgado, Cornelius Johnson, Trey Palmer, Mycah Pittman, GARRETT WILSON,
TE: Jahleel Billingsley
OL: Nathaniel Kalepo, HARRY MILLER, DOUG NESTER, Pierce Quick
LB: Diwun Black, Shane Lee, Mekhail Sherman
CB: Marquez Beason, Kaiir Elam, Christian Williams, Erick Young
S: Tykee Smith, Raymond Woodie
ATH: Demarco Hellams
DL: Kevin Harris II, Joshua Pakola, De’Monte Russell
Who to watch: Trey Sanders is the best tailback in America, and he’ll be playing alongside a handful of Ohio State commitments and targets. Alabama commit Demarcco Hellams is sensational, and I’ll be watching Florida’s Kaiir Elam closely as well.
Team Elite
QB: Cade McNamara, Sam Howell
RB: Devyn Ford, Isaiah Spiller
WR: Jermaine Burton, John Dunmore, Elijah Higgins, Ramel Keyton, Emery Simmons
TE: Keon Zipperer
ATH: Giles Jackson
OL: Wanya Morris, Caedan Wallace, Clay Webb, Darnell Wright
LB: Rian Davis, Nakobe Dean, Brandon Smith
CB: Akeem Dent, Renardo Green, Isaiah Rutherford, Max Williams
S: Brendan Gant, Dax Hill
DL: Hakeem Beamon, Quashon Fuller, Stephen Herron Jr.
Who to watch: New Ohio State commit Lejond Cavazos told me he’s pinpointed Jermaine Burton has one of his top personal targets in the Class of 2020, so I’ll be watching him closely. I’m also curious to see Darnell Wright in this high-intensity competition.
Team Dynamite
QB: Max Duggan, Ty Evans
RB: Sean Dollars, Austin Jones
WR: Braedin Huffman-Dixon, Maurice Massey, Bru McCoy, Marcus Washington, Jameson Williams
TE: Michael Martinez
OL: Deyavie Hammond, Enokk Vimahi, Stacey Wilkins
ATH: Chris Tyree
LB: Shammond Cooper, Lance Dixon, Tristan Sinclair
CB: Jeffrey Carter Jr., Jeremiah Criddell, Elias Ricks, Mykael Wright
S: Nick Cross, Jalani Williams
DL: Bryan Bresee, Zach Harrison, Siaki Ika, Jaquaze Sorrells
Who to watch: Ohio State’s top two targets at wide receiver are both on this squad, so is the most important recruit on their 2019 board overall in Zach Harrison. My eyes will be glued to this group as much as possible.
Team Boomin’
QB: Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels
RB: Tyrion Davis, Eric Gray
WR: Dominick Blaylock, Boobie Curry, Jadon Haselwood, George Pickens, Jacob Pinckney
TE: Ryland Goede
OL: Kenyon Green, Jacob Monk, Javonne Shepherd, Kardell Thomas
LB: Marcel Brooks, De’Gabrier Floyd, Owen Pappoe
DB: Marcus Banks, Jaydon Hill, DJ Turner, Woodi Washington, Bobby Wolfe
OL: Demani Richardson, Brian Williams
DL: Jacob Bandes, Nolan Smith, Marcus Stripling
Who to watch: The recent commitment of Jordan Battle means the Buckeyes probably have just one spot left in the secondary for 2019, and I’m curious if Woodi Washington will step up and claim it. This team will be one of the favorites to win the 7-on-7 tournament thanks to a pair of 5-star wide receivers in Dominick Blaylock and Jaden Haselwood, each of whom are heading to Georgia. Oh yeah, the country’s best quarterback, Bo Nix, will be throwing them the ball.
