The Opening LA: Top Prospects

<p>Nike's The Opening regional camp in Los Angeles on February 22, 2026, was a showcase of raw talent, where the West Coast's top high school football prospects battled it out in drills, one-on-ones, and high-stakes competition. This relaunched event drew over 100 elite athletes from the classes of 2027 and beyond, all vying for Golden Tickets to the national finals in Oregon. Amidst the buzz, a handful rose above the rest, flashing the speed, physicality, and instincts that scream college impact—and potentially NFL futures. I've zeroed in on six standouts who turned heads with their performances.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1197535' first='Quentin' last='Hale'] is a high-cut boundary receiver with a projectable 6-3, 180-pound frame that screams big-play potential at the Power Four level. He dominates contested catches with elite bounce, coordination, and body control, making those one-handed grabs look routine while tracking the ball over his shoulder. His route-running is polished for his age, creating separation with quick releases and gear changes, and he's got reliable hands to turn tough throws into chunk gains or scores. Needs to add some mass to handle physical press coverage in college. Projects as an impact X-receiver who could develop into an early NFL Draft prospect if he refines his speed and after-catch elusiveness.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KHollowell_/status/2025763093532528738?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">All eyes have been on [player_tooltip player_id='1197222' first='Donte' last='Wright'] lately. I've been getting reports that Oregon and Miami are very high on him. This kid's a coverage monster with a lean 6-1, 175-pound build that's already testing through the roof—elite footwork, twitch, and recovery speed to stay glued to receivers at all levels. He explodes out of breaks, changes direction without getting crossed up, and brings physicality to jam at the line while showing natural ball skills in phase. Could add some bulk to handle bigger slots or boundary duties, but his track background and smooth hips project him as a lockdown CB who could flip to safety if needed. High-upside Power Four starter with NFL traits if he keeps developing that long speed.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/2026020389915369963?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1611263' first='Eli' last='Woodard'] is a rising playmaker at 6-1, 180 pounds with the explosive releases and clean route-running to create headaches for DBs right away. He accelerates off the line like a track guy, tracks deep balls with ease, and high-points contested throws with strong hands and body control. Underrated three-star who just jumped into four-star territory; needs to bulk up a bit for Big Ten physicality, but his versatility as a slot or outside guy screams early contributor. Projects as a reliable chain-mover with big-play upside in a pro-style offense.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/theconnectsport/status/2025999377752531106?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kiko Farinas is a compact, explosive slot weapon at 5-9, 165 pounds who's all about quickness and making plays in space. He eats up cushions with sharp cuts, eludes defenders post-catch, and thrives as a return specialist with his vision and burst. He has reliable hands and ability to turn short throws into big gains. Versatile enough to line up outside or motion into the backfield, but his frame might limit him against bigger press corners; adding strength will help. Projects as a dynamic gadget guy in a spread offense, potentially a high-volume target with P5 starter potential.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FarinasAka1/status/2026096014084669536?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Honor Fa'alave Johnson is a freak athlete at around 6-1 with verified elite speed—hitting 23 MPH on GPS and sub-11 in the 100m—that makes him a nightmare matchup on both sides of the ball. As a safety, he patrols the deep third with range, hip fluidity, and physicality to close windows and deliver hits; his instincts sniff out plays, and he's got ball-hawking skills with three picks as a junior. Offensively, he's a do-it-all back/slot. Multi-sport star with core power to bounce off tackles, but needs to refine technique for full-time DB duties. Projects as a high-impact Power Four defender, potentially an NFL prospect with his upside and versatility.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HonorFaalave/status/2019996987350032624?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hayden Stepp is a jumbo corner at 6-4, 185 pounds with the length and athleticism to blanket receivers and disrupt routes at the line. He funnels assignments to the sideline in press-man, explodes through breaks, and uses his frame to contest passes at all levels while being a competent run defender who runs his feet into contact. Testing numbers continue to improve, and his sophomore tape shows maturity beyond his years in a stacked Gorman secondary. Plays to his advantage with a college-ready build; could grow into a safety if he adds mass. Projects as a boundary lockdown guy for a top Power Four program, with the tools to be a multi-year starter and pro upside.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/adamgorney/status/2025656064499413363?s=20 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention:</h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197386' first='Blake' last='Wong']</strong> (2027 WR, Norco High School, California): Showed strong hands and separation skills in coverage matchups.</p>   <p><strong>Jaden Baldwin</strong> (2027 WR, Basha High School, Arizona): Impressed with his route work and athleticism during sessions.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611427' first='Jamie' last='Spurgeon']</strong> (2027 WR/TE, Minarets High School, California): Noted for competing against elite talent, with solid size (6'5”, 215 lbs) and speed.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1382563' first='Dillon' last='Davis']</strong> (2027 S, St. John Bosco High School, California): 6'1”, 195-pound safety who showed lockdown ability and athleticism in drills.</p>   <p><strong>Dorian Law</strong> (2027 WR/DB, St. John Bosco High School, California): 3-star athlete who performed well on the defensive side with quickness and coverage skills.</p>   <p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515889' first='Isaiah' last='Danns']</strong> (2029 CB, Mater Dei High School, California): Young prospect (6'0”, 160) who held his own against older talent with footwork and instincts.</p>

Nike's The Opening regional camp in Los Angeles on February 22, 2026, was a showcase of raw talent, where the West Coast's top high school football prospects battled it out in drills, one-on-ones, and high-stakes competition. This relaunched event drew over 100 elite athletes from the classes of 2027 and beyond, all vying for Golden Tickets to the national finals in Oregon. Amidst the buzz, a handful rose above the rest, flashing the speed, physicality, and instincts that scream college impact—and potentially NFL futures. I've zeroed in on six standouts who turned heads with their performances.