Nike’s 7On tournament and Linemen challenge showcase best HS athletes in America

A. Isaac Senior Editor

Nike Linemen 309x167 Nikes 7On tournament and Linemen challenge showcase best HS athletes in America

At Nike World Headquarters last week, I was on hand to see some of the best high school football players in the nation for an event called “The Opening”. A 7on7 tournament and linemen challenge rolled into a five-day football bonanza. Truly a treat for someone, like myself, that enjoys amateur athletics.

Admittedly though, I’m not a fan of the type of football played in 7on7. I prefer my pigskin in the trenches, with guys in pads beating each others brain in on a goal line stand. I do, however, understand the need for it, especially during the summer camp season where “skilled position” players need to showcase their talent without getting manhandled by a beastly linebacker and/or knocked out by a safety who ate far too much Wheaties that morning.

I gravitated towards the linemen on Friday-Saturday and was absolutely shocked at the stature of some of these players. Indeed, there were guys on hand that were arguably as tall and wide as NFL stars Ndamukong Suh and Russell Okung. Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of these behemoths in the farmers walk and tug-o-war contest.

Speaking of Suh and Okung, they were about as boisterous and into it as many of the players. At one point, it got so heated between some of the high-schoolers that Suh was forced to step in and break guys apart for rough-housing. (Video taken by CBS Sports NFL blogger Will Brinson)

Two players I was personally impressed with were safety Landon Collins of Geismar, La and defensive linemen Jamal Marcus of Durham, NC. Coincidentally, both received awards on Saturday night for their play. Collins was the MVP of the 7On tournament and also won the SPARQ Rating National Title, Marcus was the defensive line one-on-one MVP.

I won’t pretend to be a recruiting expert, that’s not my thing. But when Ndamukong Suh thinks so highly of you that he offers you one-on-one tutelage, yea, that’s always a good sign. I would be VERY surprised if these kids didn’t excel at the next level.

Here’s Marcus with Suh:

And here’s Landon Collins highlight reel:

All in all, I was impressed. As somebody who watches high school football games in Michigan, I don’t often get to see players of this caliber week in/week out (yes, that’s a knock on my home state). Sure, there are the occasional 5-star studs, but a field loaded with them was truly a treat. As far as the kids are concerned, well, I bet they enjoyed their time too–at least judging from the conversation I overheard from a few players at the airport. “Sh-t was dope”. Indeed it was sir, indeed it was.

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