Ad Disclosure
SEC WRs Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley impress during The Opening
By Will Ogburn
Published:
Nike’s The Opening is becoming a who’s who of young football talent. The program is designed for high school recruits to perfect their craft, with established football players lending their time as camp counselors. Anyone from Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to current USC quarterback Sam Darnold can be seen at the events, but two current SEC players stood out this year.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah came out to The Opening in Beaverton, Oregon and jotted down his observations on the various players present. Among his standouts were two junior receivers, Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk and Alabama’s Calvin Ridley.
Jeremiah and his colleagues continue to be impressed with Kirk’s professionalism and work ethic off the field — something Texas A&M coaches have raved about since his arrival to College Station three seasons ago.
Bucky Brooks and several other coaches used the word “professional” to describe his personality and demeanor. He is all business. This was the first time I’ve seen him up close and he has a very muscular/compact frame, similar to a running back.
When discussing Ridley, Jeremiah claimed there was plenty of buzz around the Alabama receiver from the camp and expects big things from the Crimson Tide player next season.
The coaches at the event said he put on a show running routes and catching the ball this week. He is so smooth and can explode in and out of the break at the top of his route. He should have a monster year.
Though the offseason can be a bit slow and grinding for many college football players, it’s good to see these two helping kids and representing their universities in a positive manner.
A former resident of both Baton Rouge and the heart of Crimson Tide country, Will Ogburn handles multimedia content and news coverage for Saturday Down South.
