clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

The Opening 2015: 16 Pac-12 commits taking part

No surprise that USC and Oregon lead the way with the most commitments from the Pac-12

USC commit Daelin Hayes is one of five future Trojans that were selected
USC commit Daelin Hayes is one of five future Trojans that were selected
Student Sports Photos

Arguably is often used when someone makes the claim that something is the best. Dumb and Dumber is arguably the funniest movie of all time. Lebron James is arguably the best athlete in the world right now. I'm talking about claims like that.

There is no arguing what the best off-season event for football recruits is, though. The Opening is far above any other contenders that may claim to be better. It simply has the most highly ranked recruits out of any event. When you combine that with high level coaching and the venue being the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, there is just nothing like it. There's a reason why they describe it as football heaven. It's best versus best competing in an awesome setting.

There are several prospects that will be in attendance that are already committed to play for Pac-12 programs and several more targets who could end up having starring roles in future #Pac12AfterDark match-ups. Here's a run down of the sixteen already committed to play in the Pac-12 listed by their school of choice. (All rankings are based on the 247Sports composite rankings)

Oregon commits

4 star safety Brady Breeze

The state of Oregon doesn't produce a ton of blue chip talent every year, but the Ducks are getting one of the top safeties out west in Breeze. He'll get the chance to show how he stacks up against other top players who have a lot more hype surrounding them.

4 star wide receiver Dillon Mitchell

Mitchell has been committed to the Ducks for a long time and has kept creeping up the rankings by outperforming higher ranked players. Oregon is loaded with skill position talent and are getting another good one in Mitchell.

4 star wide receiver Theo Howard

Howard might have gotten more noticed because he had FSU quarterback commit Malik Henry throwing him the football last year, but he's now established himself as maybe the top receiver on the west coast. Him and Mitchell will get to shine on the same 7 on 7 team at The Opening.

3 star running back Vavae Malepeai

Hawaii is known more for the big men they produce in the trenches than skill talent (with former Duck Marcus Mariota being an obvious exception). Malepeai has some jets and is another speed back that could be a breakaway threat in the Ducks offense.

Stanford commits

4 star quarterback K.J. Costello

Last year there were seven quarterbacks from California competing at the Elite 11 and The Opening. This year there are only two with Costello being the only one staying out west to play his college football.

4 star tight end Kaden Smith

Costello is likely going to throw a lot of passes to Smith during their college careers in Palo Alto and he'll be doing the same next week during the 7 on 7 portion of the event. Smith has a chance to establish himself as the top tight end in the nation if he dominates the camp.

4 star linebacker Curtis Robinson

Linebackers don't typically shine at these kind of camps, but Robinson has the athleticism and ball skills to show out as a great player in coverage next week.

Washington commits

4 star running back Sean McGrew

McGrew might be the lone Husky commitment as of now, but there are several prospects that could be joining him as future Huskies. McGrew's explosive speed should help him do well as a threat out of the backfield next week.

Cal commits

3 star cornerback Traveon Beck

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Beck saw a jump to 4 star status after competing at this event. Size is what's likely holding him back from it at this point, but he has awesome skills in just about every other area in coverage.

UCLA commits

4 star linebacker Krys Barnes

Barnes is even better with the pads on so this camp might not be the best showcase for him, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him snag an interception or two during 7 on 7 play. He has very good ball skills at the linebacker position.

4 star cornerback Jordan Parker

Speaking of ball skills, Parker is not too shabby either. He is one of top corners on the west coast this cycle.

USC commits

4 star wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe

Even though there is a ton of wide receiver talent in California, the Trojans went out to Georgia to grab Imatorbhebhe. He'll be a big target in USC's offense over the next few years.

4 star linebacker Daelin Hayes

The Trojans also went out of state for Hayes, who might have the highest ceiling out of any linebacker/edge prospect in this entire class. I'll reserve judgement on him until he plays more actual football as a senior, he missed most of the last two seasons due to injury and transfer issues, but the raw talent is definitely there.

4 star linebacker Mique Juarez

Juarez is an in-state commitment and one of the best in the state of California. Athletically, he could be the most talented linebacker out of all the others in attendance.

4 star running back Melquise Stovall

Stovall should do well at the camp, but he won't get to showcase what a great inside runner he is for someone his size in this setting.

4 star offensive lineman Frank Martin

Martin is the only Pac-12 commitment taking part that plays on the offensive or defensive line (not a great thing for the conference).