Phil Knight sure knows how to throw a party, doesn't he?
The kingpin of Nike has gone out of his way to assemble the best collection of high school football talent in one place at one time by welcoming elite prospects to his backyard in Beaverton, Oregon. Naturally, Michigan has a few campers of interest. Most notably, Jacques Patrick, whom I believe to be the best running back of 2015.
So, needless to say, we're going to start with him.
According to StudentSports.com, the 6'2", 230-pound Floridian posted the fifth-highest SPARQ score--a measure of speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness--among running backs during Tuesday's workouts (118.44; Taj Griffin, an Oregon commit, was No. 1 among running backs with a score of 136.56).
While at the camp, Patrick, who ran a 4.66-second 40, talked about his recruitment with Scout.com's Jamie Newburg:
I am going to narrow things down to five schools by the end of the month. Right now my top two schools are Florida State and Alabama. And I will visit both of those schools next week. I will also go to Friday Night Lights football camp at the end of this month. I have already been to Michigan and Notre Dame this summer.
After check in at #TheOpening, 4-star RB Jacques Patrick told me he measured in at 6-1.5, 230 http://t.co/hZhZbTHakJ
— Josh Newberg (@joshnewberg247) July 8, 2014
Damien Harris
Well, the Kentuckian is the No. 1-ranked running back of 2015 per, 247Sports. The 5'10", 208-pounder was once committed to Michigan, but it seems as if he could be Ohio State-bound. Of course, he'd be an incredible get for Brady Hoke, but we might as well assume that he's Urban's.
Now here are the numbers: He ran a 4.48-second 40, which was pretty middle-of-the-pack on Tuesday. However, he posted the third-highest SPARQ score among running backs with a cool 126.93.
Apparently there were rumors about his decision--more specifically, when he was going to make it. But Sam Webb says don't believe the hype.
Damien Harris pumped the brakes on talk of an imminent decision at THe Opening ($) http://t.co/I2OB6qRE9w
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) July 9, 2014
George Campbell
Also a one-time Michigan commit, the 5-star Sunshine Stater posted the fifth-highest SPARQ score among wide receivers (122.70). The 6'3", 190-pound speed merchant finished near the top with a 4.36-second 40.
The Opening: LSU target George Campbell staying mum on favorites: http://t.co/czYVOisxEf
— Gary Laney (@GaryMLaney) July 9, 2014
The Opening 2014: Former Michigan commit George Campbell not focused on recruiting http://t.co/uBfa7lwRve
— MLive Sports (@MLiveSports) July 9, 2014
Matt Burrell
The 6'5", 290-pound Virginian is the No. 5-ranked OT of 2015, per 247. Linemen are in full swing and there aren't any scores to report, so there isn't much to say other than he looks like he's holding his own during drills.
Burrell was offered April 23 by Michigan but hasn't been on campus.
Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame and Ohio State are on his tail. It doesn't seem as if he has much interest in the Wolverines, but it's too early to completely thrown in the towel (by a few minutes).
2 reps in 1-on-1 The Opening between 5-star DL Byron Cowart & ESPN300 OL Matt Burrell RecruitingNation https://t.co/ckfilaFXKT
— Craig Haubert (@CraigHaubert) July 9, 2014
Follow Maize 'n Brew's Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81