The Opening Preview: TigerNet takes on Frisco and The Star

Frank Ladson is one of two Clemson commits at The Opening

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Jun 30 07:01:03 GMT-04:00 2018

The nation’s biggest recruiting showcase lands at the home of the Dallas Cowboys this weekend as Nike holds The Opening Finals at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Over 100 of the nation’s top 2019 prospects will make their way to Texas this weekend to compete in drills, 7-om-7 and showcase events beginning Saturday and running through Tuesday afternoon.

Clemson had a large contingent of prospects and commits at last year’s event, and while the group of prospects with Clemson interest is smaller, it doesn’t lack for firepower.

Bryton Constantin – the 4-star linebacker and Clemson commit out of Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab – is fresh off earning Linebacker MVP honors at Rivals’ 5-star Challenge held earlier this week in Atlanta.

Constantin has been turning heads on the camp circuit this year and told TigerNet recently that he’s looking forward to competing against the best players in the country.

“I'm definitely excited to go compete against the top players in the country,” Constantin said. “I know that's why they hold the camp. It's like the top 160 players, but I'm definitely excited to go compete against the top players that I'm going to see at the next level. I just feel like it's going to be a great time and I can't wait for it.”

The other Clemson commit is 5-star Miami (FL) South Dade wide receiver, Frank Ladson.

Ladson will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent and skills as he competes against Auburn commit George Pickens and Georgia commit Jadon Haselwood, who are both vying for the top receiver spot in the 2019 class.

We will spend plenty of time watching defensive line drills as Georgia commit and 5-star defensive end Nolan Smith and 4-star Thomaston (GA) Upson-Lee defensive end Travon Walker are both expected to participate.

Smith has been a Georgia commit for quite some time but many believed he would eventually flip to Clemson before all is said and done. While that talk has quieted, the former teammate of Clemson freshmen Xavier Thomas and Mike Jones, Jr. is still being pursued by the Clemson coaching staff.

Walker announced a final four of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and South Carolina back in November and he has continued to take visits and keep his options open.

Horn Lake (MS) 4-star linebacker Nakobe Dean will also be on hand. Dean is the nation’s number one linebacker and has over 20 offers. He sees Alabama as the gold standard, but after a May visit to Clemson, the Tigers opened his eyes to what they have to offer.

On the other side of the ball, the nation’s top guard in Clay Webb and one of the top running backs in Noah Cain will be in action.

Webb – the 5-star from Oxford (AL) – has been turning head since his freshman season. He recently attended Dabo Swinney’s high school camp and while many believe Webb will ultimately stay in state, he’s not tipping his hand or limiting his options.

Cain was also a recent visitor to Clemson after spending a weekend on campus earlier this month. It’s probably a long shot for the Tigers to land the 4-star back, but don’t ever count Swinney and offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony Elliott out.