Nike’s The Opening camp began in earnest Wednesday with several USC football commits, most notably Josh Imatorbhebhe, and a host of Trojan targets taking part in the action.
RELATED: 14 USC recruits to watch at The Opening
Day one was all about measurables, as the high school athletes showed off their tangibles.
Imatorbhebhe, who committed to the Trojans back in May, was a stand out performer on the day. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver out of Georgia posted a 4.48 second 40-yard dash and 46-inch vertical to launch him into the finals of the competition.
Blessed man.. ?? pic.twitter.com/Ea6BGbk4T7
— Josh Imatorbhebhe (@JoshBhebhe) July 8, 2015
The most impressive part of Imatorbhebhe’s day was the ridiculous 47-inch vertical he posted. Thankfully several onlookers caught the impressive jump on tape.
#USC WR commit Josh Imatorbhebhe with a 47.1-inch vertical at #TheOpening. His second was only a 46. #FloatingInAir pic.twitter.com/OaYf0mKFos
— Jeremy Crabtree KMBC (@jeremycrabtree) July 8, 2015
Of course, it was USC 2017 target Donovan Peoples-Jones who was named the champion of the SPARQ rating competition, becoming the first sophomore to take home the top prize.
Congratulations to the 2015 Nike Football #TheOpening Rating Champion with a score of 149.49 - Donovan Peoples-Jones pic.twitter.com/BUUSkHuRpp
— The Opening (@TheOpening) July 8, 2015
Nigel Knott, a USC target at cornerback also made the finals, posting a blazing 4.3 second 40-yard dash, which looks fast even in slow motion.
Nigel Knott | 4.3 Fast, Slo-Mo Speed pic.twitter.com/UG38t6k4XP
— The Opening (@TheOpening) July 8, 2015
4.38 for Nigel Knott.....wow https://t.co/6ygv3FF3Jx
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) July 8, 2015
Trojan commit Daelin Hayes tested among the top athletes on day one unsurprisingly.
Alen Trieu of Scout captured Hayes going up against Alabama commit and recent USC visitor Najee Harris.
Daelin Hayes vs Najee Harris pic.twitter.com/bQzIW8MxLZ
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) July 8, 2015
The news of the day regarding Hayes was the telling number he sported — No. 55.
#USC verbal commit Daelin Hayes and Trojan Butkus Award winner Chris Claiborne...one #55 to another? pic.twitter.com/yNBxcVALYY
— Garry Paskwietz (@garrypaskwietz) July 8, 2015
The four-star linebacker has worn the No. 9 at high school level, but it looks like he’s got his eye on one of the most iconic numbers in USC history. It just so happens that jersey will be unoccupied next year after the departure of Lamar Dawson.
Fellow Trojan commit Frank Martin got some work done at the power ball toss.
Tight end target Devin Asiasi also impressed with his power ball toss.
Boy, does TE Devin Asiasi pass the eyeball test. He can also toss powerball long way. #TheOpening. #Bama #Ducks #USC pic.twitter.com/UWJT182AGQ
— Jeremy Crabtree KMBC (@jeremycrabtree) July 8, 2015
Javon McKinley, a USC target at wide receiver, posted his own strong score in the SPARQ testing.
Javon Mckinley just killed his own PR. @mcjavon @TheOpening #GETOPEN @SportsRecruits @GregBiggins @B2GSports pic.twitter.com/VUsC6L2P78
— StillStrill (@stillstrill) July 8, 2015
Tyler Vaughns made some highlight reels at wide receiver with an acrobatic catch.
WR Tyler Vaughns with a great catch over Demetris Robertson https://t.co/p1c1c1Pjyb
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) July 8, 2015
Jack Jones, who is projected by many to ultimately join the Trojans, did not put in as impressive a jump as Imatorbhebhe, but still produced some air.
Unfortunately for the four-star athlete, his willingness to prove his worth at cornerback instead of wide receiver resulted in his getting schooled by Isaac Nauta. To be fair, Nauta was one of the most dominant players on the day and Jones apparently had a strong outing overall.
Though it increasingly looks like Oluwole Betiku will end up elsewhere, the five-star lineman had mouths watering with a 4.57 second 40-yard dash.
It’s a safe bet that C.J. Pollard will end up at USC. The four-star safety showed his support for Avery Huffman, the daughter of Scout’s Brandon Huffman who was just diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor.
Cj Pollard showing his support for Avery Huffman #BrAvery #PrayForAvery @BrandonHuffman @CJPollard1 pic.twitter.com/aeJvbDwWGh
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) July 8, 2015
Pollard showed off his coverage skills, successfully defending A.J. Brown.
CJ Pollard vs AJ Brown #theopenig https://t.co/UMJfRktcwr
— Sanjay Kirpalani (@SanjayKirpalani) July 8, 2015
Another Trojan target at safety, Lamar Jackson also got in some work with the DBs.
Lamar Jackson going through DB drills at #TheOpening @ChadCarson247 pic.twitter.com/QYZuPKtj1r
— Luke Stampini (@LukeStampini) July 8, 2015
Tomorrow, The Opening ramps up with 7-on-7 games between teams Hyper Cool, Alpha Pro, Lunar Beast, Fly Rush, Mach Speed, and Superbad.
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