The Opening Finals top performers

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif — The Opening Finals made its return in July after a year off in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The annual event is held in conjunction with the Elite 11 Finals and attracts some of the nation’s top football prospects.

The event included a training camp session and 7-on-7 tournament. The format this year was a bit different than in years past. Unlike previous years, offensive and defensive linemen were not included.

The two days of action provided On3 with a detailed look at dozens of top prospects. Many were taking part in one of their first national camp. Here are our top performers from The Opening Finals.

2023 DB AJ Harris turns in dominant showing

On3 MVP: DB AJ Harris, 2023 (uncommitted)

Harris was the obvious top defensive performer at The Opening Finals. He’s also our top performer regardless of position – even more impressive considering he’s a rising junior. Harris worked at safety and had the most interceptions of any player in the tournament that we saw. He showed high-level instincts and the ability to break on the ball. On Friday, Harris picked off Alabama quarterback commit Ty Simpson twice in rapid succession. He then added another pick-six on Saturday. It wasn’t just about the interceptions, though. We noticed Harris closing very quickly on several other plays. This was our first time seeing the 2023 prospect live, and he made quite the first impression.

Top Five On Offense

1) TE Duce Robinson, 2023 Uncommitted

The 2023 prospect was our top overall pass catcher at The Opening Finals. He edged out a few top wide receivers for that honor. The two-sport star presents a considerably large catch radius over the middle of the field. Robinson made a number of high-level catches in traffic, easily extending for high throws without breaking stride. The ability to create mismatches in the passing game is a critical factor at the tight end position. Robinson checked that box in a big way at The Opening Finals.

2) WR Jurrion Dickey, 2023, Uncommitted

Dickey was our top 2023 wide receiver at The Opening Finals. The Bay Area prospect is thick and physically developed. Dickey showed quickness and burst in his releases off the line of scrimmage and strong hands at the catch point. He became the top target for his team over the course of the tournament, catching several touchdowns.

3) WR Tetairoa McMillan, Uncommitted

McMillan would’ve been a clear choice as the top receiver at The Opening Finals heading into Saturday afternoon. He had a tough championship game in the 7-on-7 tournament with a few uncharacteristic drops. With that said, McMillan had the most highlight-reel grabs during the 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 portions of The Opening Finals. The two-sport standout (volleyball) has plus-plus ball skills and was dominant at the catch point. Among the highlights included an outstanding contested grab in 1-on-1’s. McMillan is a natural tracker, showing the ability to locate and adjust to the ball’s flight path within his route. He’s also a natural plucker of the football and attacks the catch point with arm extension and coordination. We were impressed with his release package and quickness off the line of scrimmage. McMillan is not the twitchiest and doesn’t separate consistently but has the technical savvy of a top receiver.

4) WR Jayden Gibson, Uncommitted

Gibson was the standout wide receiver during 7-on-7 pool play at The Opening Finals. Measuring in at more than 6-foot-5 and running in the low 4.6’s, Gibson created a downfield mismatch. He separated with a long stride on vertical routes. Gibson also proved to be dominant at the catch point with his ability to high-point and box out smaller defensive backs. The Florida native showed a “my ball” mentality, coming down with several grabs over opposing corners. He was a little quieter on the final day of the tournament but turned in a strong showing overall.

#UGA offers 2022 WR @TheJaydenGibson of @WestOrangeFB.

Was one of my top skill performers at @TheOpening. pic.twitter.com/LU0jjXziFe

— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) July 6, 2021

5) WR Kyion Grayes, Ohio State commit

Grayes was our top route-runner in the 1-on-s1 portion of The Opening Finals training camp. The Arizona product runs with a strong body lean. His shoulders are over his feet, making it hard for defensive backs to anticipate a change of direction. Grayes was deadly on double moves. He showed some high-level ability to create separation via quickness at the top of his routes. Grayes continued to show the ability to create separation as a route-runner in 7-on-7 play. He had a drop or two during the tournament but was among the better receivers from start to finish.

Top Five On Defense

1) LB CJ Hicks, Ohio State commit

Hicks was the top cover linebacker during the 1-on-1 portion of The Opening Finals training camp. The Ohio State pledge flashed strong transition skills and showed impressive makeup speed with the ball in the air. Hicks sports a well-built physique with length and range and is a natural in space. That transferred over to 7-on-7 play. Hicks showed fluidity in his drops with the ability to break and make plays on the ball. We’ve felt Hicks is one of the top linebackers in the 2022 cycle based on his overall body of work. You can add The Opening Finals as further evidence in favor of that lofty status.

2) LB Jalen Woods, UCLA commit

Woods was among the more natural cover linebackers on hand at The Opening Finals training camp. The St. John Bosco product was able to stay in-phase against some quick running backs. He consistently broke to make plays on the ball when defending short and intermediate option routes. Woods continued to show his cover skills during 7-on-7 play, jumping a throw for a pick-six. 

3) CB Domani Jackson, USC commit

Jackson was among the more highly-touted prospects to participate in The Opening Finals. He has prototypical physical tools for the cornerback position. The USC pledge pairs elite top-end speed with well above average stature and length. Overall, we thought Jackson performed the best among cornerbacks during the tournament. There were a few plays he’d want back, but Jackson showed the ability to stay attached downfield and strong makeup speed. He is still a bit of a work in progress from instincts and ball skills perspective. There are times where Jackson is susceptible to double moves and can lose the football. With that said, Jackson’s physical profile raises both his ceiling and floor as a long-term prospect.

4) CB Julian Humphrey, Florida commit

Humphrey won the fastest man challenge at The Opening Finals training camp out-running five of the nation’s fastest prospects head-to-head. The Houston area native also showed some competitiveness in a few quick 1-on-1 reps. Humphrey showed a quick break on the ball in 7-on-7. He had a few nice pass breakups and wasn’t shy about getting physical with wide receivers.

5) S TJ Hall, Arizona commit

No prospect did more to raise their recruiting stock at The Opening Finals. Playing beside a number of highly-touted defensive backs, Hall made play after play. The California native worked at safety and showed some impressive instincts. He broke on the ball and made a number of plays in coverage. Hall landed an offer from Colorado after the event and committed to Arizona days later.

Hall has since decommitted from Arizona and committed to Washington.