In the trenches: OL/DL breakdown from The Opening Dallas Regional

Despite being a former college football player and coach, yesterday was my first day to attend a Nike regional camp. As you can imagine, I was pretty excited to get the day started. Taking a look at the roster, it was easy to see that there would be no shortage of talent on hand as recruits from Texas and several other states tried to earn the coveted invite to The Opening finals out in Oregon this summer.

Our Mike Roach will have you covered on the skill positions, as I was posted up in the indoor practice facility checking out the big fellas in the trenches. The offensive line group stole the show, as the defensive line group lacked star power and had some no shows that I would have liked to see up close.

Here are my thoughts on some of the guys I was able to observe.

TaQuon Graham (Temple) – The stud edge rusher had a quiet day during 1 on 1s, but he posted a 40 time in the 4.7s after weighing in just over 250 pounds. I’m not too worried about Graham because he tape is fantastic and absolutely gets after the passer. Someone asked me if he looked like he would grow into a 3 tech and I have no idea where that came from. This kid is a defensive end all the way.

Earnest Brown (Denton Ryan) – Brown was the other edge rusher I was keeping my eye on the most aside from Graham. Brown flashed some nice power during a rep as he absolutely ran over a tackle on his way to the quarterback. I favor Graham more at this point, but Brown is no slouch.

Gjemar Daniels (Kennedale) – The teammate of Baron Browning is a little on the short side, but he had several good reps lined up as a shade during one on ones. I put a star next to his name to make sure I go back and watch his tape so I can get a better eval of him. He didn’t go unnoticed today.

Deiontae Watts (Plano East) – The teammate of stud linebacker Anthony Hines (who earned himself an invite to The Opening today). If I am keeping it 100, I wasn’t very impressed by Watts and I was pretty close to him during position drills and saw his reps during 1 on 1s. His body type isn’t the most desirable in its current state and he didn’t really catch my eye much when I watched. He didn’t jump off the tape to me either when I watched, so it matched up when I saw him today.

Jeremy Fowler (Manor) – The younger brother of Erick made the trip up with his father. I chatted with Mr. Fowler for a bit and he told me that Jeremy was making the transition from playing quarterback to edge rusher, which I found interesting. Jeremy isn’t on Erick’s level as a prospect just yet, but he will be someone to keep an eye on in the case the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Jack Anderson (Frisco) – The Texas Tech commit put on a clinic and one on ones with great hand placement and good footwork. He plays the game with an attitude and a swagger that will probably get under the skin of his opponents, but there is no denying his ability. He earned his second invite to Oregon today.

Dawson Deaton (Frisco) – Anderson’s teammate didn’t have as good of a day in 1 on 1s, but he did put someone on his back during a rep as I predicted. Deaton was the nastiest offensive lineman I watched on tape and he made me a believer with the first few snaps during his film. If I was an offensive line coach, I would be standing on the table every day to make sure an offer was sent his way.

Tyrese Robinson (McKinney Boyd) – I was pleasantly surprised to see Robinson take several reps at tackle during 1 on 1s and he more than held his own. He measured in at 6’4 today and while he may not have the ideal tackle build, he showed that he could hold his own and put the clamps on a pass rusher who tried to fake outside and then redirect underneath.

The DeSoto Trio (Hyrin White, Xavier Newman, Edward Ingram) – Every time I looked up it seemed like an offensive lineman from DeSoto was taking a rep during 1 on 1s. White looks a lot better in person than I thought he would, and Newman outshined Ingram during 1 on 1s. Newman earned an invite to Oregon if I remember correctly, and all I could think about was how I don’t envy the defensive lineman who will have to lineup across from this bunch in the fall.

Darrell Simpson (Northwest) – Holy moly this kid is huge. When you draw up an offensive tackle in your mind this is the way you picture them. He and the 2018 Oklahoma commit Brey Walker both possess the tackle starter kits.