Future Gators Previews The Opening

One of the biggest recruiting events all year will take place this weekend in Oregon.  The Opening will be loaded with talent as it will include 84 players that are in this year's ESPN 150.  Gator fans will have a lot to watch this weekend on ESPNU as seven Florida commits and other targets will be at the camp.  Below is a preview of The Opening for the Florida Gators.

There are three major parts to the Opening; SPARQ Rating National Championship, Nike 7ON, and the Elite Lineman Challenge.  Every player at the camp will compete in the SPARQ Championship which basically measures the athleticism of the recruits.  The players will then break into either the Elite Lineman Challenge or the Nike 7ON depending on their position.

Nike 7ON Preview

Six of the seven Gator commits will be participating in the Nike 7ON.  The list includes three DBs (Nick Washington, Keanu Neal, Tre' Bell), running back Kelvin Taylor, wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood, and LB Quinton Powell.  Gator fans won't have to wait long to see their recruits with six players participating in one event.  As mentioned earlier, there will be also some Florida targets at the camp, but I won't go into too much detail about them.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the three defensive backs fare against top-level talent.  Also, one of Florida's top targets, CB Vernon Hargreaves III, will be at the camp.  Hopefully fans will get to see VHIII go one-on-one with Ricky Seals-Jones, the top ranked receiver in the nation.

Quinton Powell can prove to the experts that they are wrong.  Scout lists pass coverage as a weakness for the OLB, but he'll have his chance to prove himself against the best in the nation.  OLB Alex Anzalone will also be in Oregon this weekend.  He will make his commitment this weekend at the camp (between Penn State, Notre Dame, and Florida).

Ahmad Fulwood is the only WR commit going to the camp representing Florida.  He has a good chance to get a small taste of what is to come in future years if he is guarded by one of his future teammates.  Seeing Fulwood against his friend and fellow UF commit, Nick Washington, would be great.  Is Fulwood's downfield playmaking ability as good as advertised?  We'll have to wait for the weekend.

Elite Lineman Challenge Preview

4-star DT Caleb Brantley will be only Florida commit competing in the challenge.  The Elite Lineman Challenge will contain a lot of one-on-one battles.  This will give Brantley a great opportunity to show off his strength and descriptiveness that he is known to have.

Florida is in the top five for talented DE DeMarcus Walker, who will also be at The Opening.  Walker took a trip to Gainesville just last week.

Future Gators will have more coverage of The Opening throughout the weekend.

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2013 Recruiting: Quinton Powell

Position:  Outside Linebacker

Hometown/School:  Daytona Beach, FL - Mainland

Height/Weight:  6'2/200

Rivals - 247Sports - Scout - ESPN

Other Offers:  Arkansas, Clemson, Miami, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Florida State

Report:  Powell committed to Will Muschamp back in February, on Florida's Junior Day.  Here is what Powell said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel shortly after word got out:

"Just the fact that I felt at home ... that was the main thing that I was looking for and I feel right at home here. I was looking for a family and I found it right here. ... plus, I've always been Gator fan."

The four recruiting services all give Powell a 4-star rating.  Rivals, Scout, and 247Sports all rank Powell as the 14th-best OLB in the nation, while ESPN lists him in 8th place.  The real interesting thing is that the services all greatly vary on where Powell is ranked nationally overall.  ESPN shows him the most love as they list him in the top 100 overall (83).  247Sports has him at 160, Rivals at 225, and he isn't ranked nationally according to Scout.  From the 83rd-best player according to one service to not even being in the top 300 in another service.  Weird.

Powell racked up 105 tackles, 14 sacks, and registered 50 quarterback hurries on his way to leading Mainland to the 8A Semifinals.

On to the scouting reports.

Elite Scouting Services ranked their top 2013 state of Florida prospects back in April.  Powell came in 22nd in their pre-Spring rankings.  This is what they had to say:

Powell can be used as a pass rusher off the edge or drop back into coverage and go against a receiver or tight end. He is most likely going to end up as a SAM backer in college. His ability to cover a tight end is what will draw the attention of college recruiters. He is effective against the run as well.

Scout also goes into detail about Powell's upcoming move from playing a rush end in high school to an OLB in college or maybe even an ILB:

Powell spends a lot of time with his hand down on the line of scrimmage in high school, but he will drop back to linebacker in college. He is a natural athlete with good size and very good speed. He could play inside or outside linebacker on the next level because of size, speed, and skill-set. He will need work on playing space, reading and reacting to the ball, and dropping into coverage.

And lastly, Rivals:

Powell predominantly plays defensive end and rushes off the edge, but during the spring and summer he has shown an ability to play in space and do things away from the ball that show he is a major prospect at outside linebacker. When working at the line, Powell is quick off the snap and does a good job of shedding blocks and getting into the backfield. In space, he shows good lateral movement and the ability to effectively cover the pass. He is very good at using his length to make the play.

Powell will be one of seven Gator commits to participate in The Opening.  You can watch The Opening July 5th through the 8th on ESPNU.