BEAVERTON, Oregon — For the first time in the history of The Opening, an underclassmen will take home the Nike Football Ratings National Champion crown.
With a winning score of 149.49, 2017 5-star receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones beat out a host of top 2016 standouts in a series of tests in events such as the vertical jump, agility shuttle, powerball toss and 40-yard dash. The Opening congratulated Peoples-Jones via Twitter:
Congratulations to the 2015 Nike Football #TheOpening Rating Champion with a score of 149.49 - Donovan Peoples-Jones pic.twitter.com/BUUSkHuRpp
— The Opening (@TheOpening) July 8, 2015
His score topped that of last year’s winner, 2015 4-star athlete and Oregon signee Kirk Merritt—who scored 148.