Staten Island running back Augustus Edwards will make his decision tomorrow¬†morning (Follow The Fizz’s twitter @orangefizz for his announcement and reaction), and Syracuse fans are hoping it’s the the first half of a historic package deal. Brooklyn monster Ebenezer Ogundeko will announce his college choice on July 20th, and participated over the weekend at Nike’s prestigious “The Opening.” One-hundered and fifty of the nation’s best players were invited, and Ebo has whittled his list down to SU, Notre Dame and Florida.
Here’s some of the highlights of the weekend in Beaverton, Oregon:
- We Can Dream, Can’t We?
In May, The Fizz profiled Georgia running back Alvin Kamara. He had cited Syracuse as a school that stood out to him at the time, though we knew it would be only fleeting interest. Doug Marrone was battling Nick Saban’s insane letter-writing campaign and some of the nation’s top programs. Kamara turned heads at The Opening, and SU has been pushed aside by some of the most powerful teams in the country.
“As one of the uncommitted guys at the event and someone college across the country are chasing, Kamara gets more than his fair share of fellow recruits looking to whisper in his ear that their school is for him.
‘Every guy I talk to,’ Kamara said with a laugh. ‘I guess I’m kind of a target. The¬†Georgia¬†guys, Shaq Wiggins and Tray Matthews, and the¬†South Carolina¬†guys are coming at me. Everybody is,¬†USC, Oregon,¬†Alabama. It’s been fun.’”
- Playing with the Big Boys
When the Orange begins play in the ACC, Clemson will still be the beast of the conference. The Tigers continue to rake in high-end talent, and much of that was on display this weekend.
“Clemson recently picked up the No. 1 recruit in the country last month in Robert Nkemdiche and several Clemson commits at The Opening were joking/prodding for Maryland corner Kendall Fuller to be the latest top-100 commit for the¬†Tigers. When he heard the news that the program landed the top recruit in his class, Fuller’s ears definitely perked up.
‘It’s a really big draw,’ Fuller said. “It shows how special of a school Clemson is. They have such a good coaching staff and they’re definitely coming up.’
Fuller was also named to the Nike All-Tournament team following the conclusion of the 7ON portion of The Opening as well.
- Coolest Party Favor
Last year, The Opening debuted a barbershop in the players’ lounge, and recruits could get any number of things cut into their hair.
“Maryland corner Kendall Fuller was one of several to take advantage of the perk, shaving¬†Virginia¬†Tech and Clemson’s – his two finalists – logos into the left and right side of his head. ‘I’m going to Virginia Tech next weekend and Clemson the weekend after that. I’m just going to see how I feel.’”
- Father-Son Pickup Game, Anyone?
Talk about some good athletic genes. Two sons of professional stars spent time together, as Torri Hunter Jr. and The Admiral’s son hung out.
“Prosper, TX¬†wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. caught multiple long touchdowns for the winning squad, and during the 7ON tournament was named overall MVP.
No stranger to the bright lights and media attention thanks to his father, the Los Angeles Angeles outfielder of the same name, Hunter Jr. was unsure of what The Opening would actually be like. 
One of the top players in North Texas, the savvy route runner let his game do the talking in stringing together three consecutive days of impressive play. Hunter Jr. was somewhat anonymous among his fellow recruits. 
“A lot of people don’t even recognize the name or expect Torii Hunter Jr. to be here. People didn’t notice. I actually stayed with Corey Robinson, and his dad is [NBA Hall of Famer] David Robinson. So that was pretty good.”
Hunter Jr. holds offers from schools such as Arizona, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Texas Tech among others and had nearly 750 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns last season as a junior. Recruited by some of the top programs in the country has meant an additional distraction from everyday life but the calm and collected receiver deals with the process by just taking it as it comes along.
- Quote of the Weekend
“It‚Äôs just like going in the backyard with your friends, and everybody can do a backflip and we‚Äôre just all wondering who can do the prettiest one. That‚Äôs all this is.‚Äù
Only a handful of juniors were invited, but the No. 1 rising junior in the nation, according to 247Sports, was there: Da’Shawn Hand. A 6-4, 250-pound defensive end out of Virginia, he’s loaded with scholarship offers and quick wit, who played down being intimidated by the older players.
Schools like Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State and in-state Virginia and Virginia Tech are all after him.
- T-Shirt of the Weekend
At least one USC commit was spotted at the camp sporting a shirt that read “Our 75 Are Better Than Your 85” – a reference to the scholarship restrictions placed on the Trojans program from the NCAA. Hey, USC can talk the talk. The school is a national title contender and one of the country’s most talented squads despite suffering on probation the last two seasons.
- Ohio State’s loss is Notre Dame’s gain.¬†
“Alex Anzalone, a linebacker out of Pennsylvania, had been committed to Ohio State since mid-spring, but dropped the Buckeyes a month later. Anzalone was asked to have his picture taken with an Ohio State fan and some other recruits, and it turned out the fan was a convicted sex offender – which unnerved Anzalone. He reopened his recruiting in May.
Notre Dame got his commitment on Sunday, while in-state Penn State and Florida didn’t.
‚ÄúIt‚Äôs been a pretty rough process,‚Äù Anzalone said. ‚ÄúBut I think I‚Äôll enjoy things at the next level. The academics was the tip of the iceberg for me. I‚Äôm really close to the commits there (at Notre Dame).”
Read full coverage from Bryan Fischer of CBSSports.com, and Brian McLaughlin of the Sporting News for more from The Opening.
- Stay tuned to The Fizz tomorrow for Edwards’ decision and follow us on Twitter @orangefizz.
61 responses to “Ebenezer, Kamara & Barbershops: Highlights of Nike’s The Opening Camp 2012”
Do the slightest bit of digging and you’d find that Torii Hunter junior is a possible sex offender himself as he was arrested in connection with a date rape ring at his high school. Good guy to highlight.
I like what Maryland did…Edsall had a mutiny on his hands and almost got dumped in early January…then the AD forced Locksley “master recruiter” onto the staff now their getting Schiano-type results…I like HCDM and staff but i’d like to see a little “big vision” hire along them lines to make the Big jump to elite level in the near future!!!HCDM has to stay as head coach for the simple reason he’s a good coach but hire a “recruiter-assistant!!”..any thought’s…
I don’t think Fizz is going to Staten Island to see Edwards commit to Pitt!!
I completely agree with the recruiting specialist. It seems like the big programs have one guy that is a stud closer. And also I was put off that Hunter Jr was even invited to this camp. I hope the allegations against him aren’t true or he is the scum of the earth.
@Norma…honestly Norma,I think were that close too being a factor…all the best program’s have there “closer”..
Sure I’ll chime in….Edsall or Locks, u can’t do it alone.. they’ve done some nice things..really huge talent upgrade, ive said b4.. best recruiting since heyward-bey talent was at MD! I think they benefitted from PSU garbage as well..
Pitt lofl…? I’d be pissed! but a ACC program like it wouldnt be a stunner.. pitt/cinn/wvu/rut have all been pulling their share of 4stars the last decade.. SU has produced many 1000 yd rushers.. but none were top25 backs in HS- carter, brinkley, mungro?..that said, Edwards is SU material- 1000yd hs back, gd size, gd speed…
* @russ- r u challenging fizz’ cred-ability to travel? Lol..i had to!
@russ – I’m the site “rock GOD” wats rap?
@Bigdipper…I’m showing my age….HaHa..
AE Commits Tommrrow! NYC Cuse Fans Are all pullin’ for you Augustus! Love to see you comin out of that tunnel in Orange “New York’s Own”
@Russ I think maybe “closer” is what Tyrone Wheatley is becoming for us hes even recruiting defensive guys.
-Brooklyn-Orange
@BKLNORNG Wheatley’s the best we got and good but face it….he’s no Lock’s or RU’s Hagley…gamechanger’s taking on the factory’s and winning but he’s certainly good and we have to make sure we take care of him!!
Sorry BKL I meant RUs Hafley…I called him Hag..ley..
@bk & russ – big am decision, wheatley is such a draw w/ DA DOME behind him…couldnt happen to a better ex- NYG! When that elite guy steps in “DA DOME” it’ll be pandemonium….Zach could start it off, S.U. needed an elite gunslinger! We cant complain about an Elite 11 Qb .. now he needs playmakers! By the way…Zach Allen’s tape is a great WATCH: he’s competitive, tall, fleet footed, quick decision maker….i wish Nassib just flung it this season…3000 yds 25-4 td to int ratio..just leave it all on the field! Hit the wide open playmaker & be a winner as a senior…Beat USC and become a LEGEND
Let me be the first to welcome NYs own Augustus Edward’s to the “Cuse’..
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