BEAVERTON, Ore. — The 2017 Opening finals get started on Thursday, and DawgNation and SEC Country have multiple bodies on hand to cover UGA recruiting at Nike headquarters.

Not sure what this event is all about? Well, it’s an all-star showcase where 166 of the nation’s top players were chosen to compete against their peers in drills, competition, and 7-on-7 games to determine who are the nation’s best players.

The players on hand this week — except for the notable exception of new 5-star Georgia RB commit Zamir White — are the best in the country in the 2018 and 2019 classes.

Can a big-time defensive end from Florida slip past a 5-star tackle from Texas? The players from those states were never going to face off in their regular high school seasons, but The Opening affords a platform to do that.

Justin Fields is rated as the nation’s No. 3 overall prospect for the Class of 2018, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. (Chris Kirschner/SEC Country)/Dawgnation)

The quarterbacks will compete first and then they will be joined by the rest of nation’s best over the weekend. DawgNation will be taking a good look at 5-star targets Matt Corral and Justin Fields.

But there’s a different trick for the Dawgs this year. Last year, the Bulldogs sent six commitments to the event and would then pick up another two more commitments on the last day of The Opening.

The Bulldogs have only two current commitments at the event this time. That’s surging cornerback Chris Smith II from Hapeville Charter Career Academy and 5-star junior DE Nolan Smith II.

This event allows commits to interact with other major targets, so Chris Smith, who is actively recruiting for the Bulldogs, has a lot of work to do. Nolan Smith, on the other hand, seems to be very actively pursued by both Alabama and Clemson in the Class of 2019.

A lot of the readers on our DawgNation message board have gotten nervy that Nolan Smith’s commitment isn’t as strong as it once was.

Notable targets in attendance this week for the Bulldogs include James Cook, Justin Fields, Luke Ford, Matt Corral, Daniel Faalele, KJ Henry, Trey Hill, Kearis Jackson, Tyreke Johnson, Azeez Ojulari, J.J. Peterson, Jamaree Salyer and Josh Vann, among many others. There’s a quintet of 5-stars in that roll call.

UGA enters The Opening with seven commitments and the No. 55 recruiting class in the nation for 2018, according to the 247SportsComposite rankings. Look for the Bulldogs to make great strides in those recruiting rankings over the next six weeks.

Can the Bulldogs pull another top-10 class this year? That — given the lightning bolt of good news from White this week — now seems very possible. Follow DawgNation and UGA recruiting reporter Jeff Sentell (Twitter: @jeffsentell) for live updates of all things Georgia football recruiting.

Refresh the live blog for daily bursts, analysis and highlights from the top recruiting event in the country.

Schedule for The Opening finals 2017

Thursday, June 29 (all times ET)
1-3 p.m.: QB/WR/TE Practice
3-3:15 p.m.: Interview session

UGA recruiting updates at The Opening finals 2017

Check back at 1 p.m. ET for live updates and analysis on UGA targets at The Opening finals.


The Opening finals 2017 full rosters

Players in bold are serious UGA targets.

Team Hyper Strong

QB: Quincy Patterson, Jack Tuttle

RB: James Cook, Jamal Elliot
WR: Tommy Bush, Isaah Crocker, Elijah Moore, Anthony Schwartz, Xavier Williams

TE: Kyle Pitts

LB: Amari Gainer, Cameron McGrone, Ovie Oghoufo, Channing Tindall
DB: Derrik Allen, Tyson Campbell, Jevon Holland, AJ Lytton, Asante Samuel Jr., Steve Stephens, Patrick Surtain Jr.
OL: Daniel Faalele, Richard Gouraige, Rasheed Walker

DL: Jayson Ademilola, Robert Cooper, Ja’Mion Franklin, PJ Mustipher

Team Untouchable

QB: Tanner McKee, Tyler Shough

RB: Devon Lawrence, TJ Pledger, Mychale Salahuddin

WR: Chase Cota, Joshua Moore, Gunner Romney, Jalen Preston, Devon Williams

TE: Chigoziem Okonkwo

LB: Brandon Kaho, Micah Parsons, Merlin Robertson

DB: Chase Williams, Corione Harris, Tyreke Johnson, Bookie Radley-Hiles, Bryan Addison, Amari Burney, Talanoa Hufanga

OL: William Craig, Brey Walker, Reuben Unije

DL: Jowon Briggs, Dante Stills, Michael Thompson, Rick Sandidge

Team Mach Speed

QB: Cammon Cooper, Justin Fields

RB: John Emery, Ricky Slade

WR: Kamryn Babb, Solomon Enis, Justin Shorter, Josh Vann, L’Christian Smith, Alontae Taylor
TE: Luke Ford

LB: Micah Baskerville, Jack Lamb, K’Vaughn Pope

DB: BJ Foster, Kelvin Joseph, Leon O’Neal, Chris Smith II, Caden Sterns, Isaac Taylor-Stuart, Christian Tutt

OL: William Barnes, Penei Sewell, Sam Taimani

DL: Zachary Harrison, Nelson Jenkins III, Ron Tatum

Team Vapor Speed

QB: Devin Leary, Justin Rogers

RB: Jaelen Gill, Ricky Person Jr.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Brennan Eagles, Terrace Marshall Jr., Marquis Spiker, Al’Vonte Woodard

TE: George Takacs

LB: Teradja Mitchell, David Reese, Solomon Tuliaupupu

DB: Sevyn Banks, Anthony Cook, Jalen Green, D’Shawn Jamison, Josh Proctor, Atanza Vongor, Jaiden Woodbey

OL: Jackson Carman, Justin Dedich, Devontae Dobbs, Tyrone Sampson Jr.

DL: Taron Vincent, Brenton Cox, Andrew Chatfield

Team Savage Pro

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Jarren Williams

RB: Camron Davis, Lorenzo Lingard

WR: Kevin Austin, Brian Hightower, Mark Pope, Justyn Ross

TE: Will Mallory, Brevin Jordan

LB: Xavier Peters, JJ Peterson, Payton Wilson
DB: Al Blades Jr., Kenneth Dicks III, Kalon Gervin, Jaycee Horn, Joshua Jobe, Kyler McMichael, Shayne Simon

OL: Tank Jenkins, Curtis Dunlap Jr., Delone Scaife

DL: Azeez Ojulari, Ronnie Perkins, Nesta Silvera, Xavier Thomas

Team Alpha Menace

QB: Matt Corral, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
RB: Harold Joiner III, Christian Turner
WR: Jordyn Adams, Jalen Hall, Kearis Jackson, Rondale Moore, Amon-Ra St. Brown

TE: Jeremy Ruckert

LB: Palaie Gaoteote, Owen Pappoe, Raymond Scott

DB: Gemon Green, Olaijah Griffin, Houston Griffith, Myles Sims, Stephan Blaylock, Aashari Crosswell, Christian Morgan

OL: Jamaree Salyer, Trey Hill, Jovaughn Gwyn, Emil Ekiyor
DL: KJ Henry, Cameron Latu, Tyreke Smith, Nolan Smith