Nation's top summer showcase of high school football talent leaving Nike headquarters after eight years.
Video: Highlights of Trey Sanders
Watch nation's No. 1 running back from the Class of 2019, who has been invited to The Opening Finals.The Opening Finals — considered the nation's biggest and most impressive showcase of high school football talent — is moving to one of the country's most glamorous venues.
After eight summers at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., it was announced Wednesday that The Opening Finals will take place at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, the athletic facility of the Dallas Cowboys.
The glitzy, 510,000-square-foot facility features a 12,000-seat indoor stadium which hosts Major League Lacrosse and weekly high school football games from the Frisco Independent School District. The indoor stadium is part of a $1 billion development that includes office space, fitness club, two outdoor practice fields for the Cowboys, shopping, a sports medical center and a hotel.
Approximately 160 of the top players from the Class of 2019, along with a dozen or so underclassmen, are invited annually to The Opening Finals based partially on camp evaluations completed during the spring.
The Opening Finals has historically taken place over a week in early July and features the finals of the Elite 11 quarterback camp as well.
Dates have yet to be announced for the 2018 event, but these 10 players have so far been invited:
CB — Marcus Banks, Dekaney (Houston)The 6-foot, 170-pound junior is a 4-star recruit with 19 college offers. Most expect him to eventually sign with Texas.
RB — Noah Cain, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)The 5-11, 209-pound junior is ranked the No. 31 recruit overall in his class by 247Sports composite, and third-ranked running back. He has 28 college offers.
CB — Akeem Dent, Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.)The 5-11, 176-pound junior is a 5-star recruit and considered the top corner in his class. He's already committed to Florida State.
WR — John Dunmore, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)The 6-2, 175-pound junior is a 4-star recruit with a healthy 30 offers. Florida State appears to be the leader of the pack.
CB — Kaiir Elam, Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)The 6-1, 182-pound junior is a 4-star commit with 34 offers. Most experts expect him to eventually land at Florida.
WR — Arjei Henderson, Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas)The 6-1, 180-pound junior is the No. 49 recruit in the country in his class and No. 8 receiver. He has an impressive 46 offers.
OT — Evan Neal, IMG AcademyThe 6-8, 391-pound junior is the No. 38 recruit overall from his class nationally. He has 23 offers, but leaning toward Miami.
RB — Trey Sanders, IMG AcademyThe 6-0, 216-pound junior in the No. 6 overall recruit in the country and top running back. He has 12 offers, but appears to be leaning toward Florida State.
TE — Austin Stogner, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)The 6-6, 230-pound junior is ranked the second best tight end in his class. He has nearly 30 offers, but has already committed to Oklahoma.
CB — Bobby Wolfe, Madison (Houston)The 6-3, 190-pound junior has already committed to Texas A&M.
Arjel Henderson, Fort Bend Travis
File photo by Ken Murray
