2020 UGA Recruiting: The Opening Continues, Linemen Pad Up

The Opening 2019 is underway in Dallas, Texas and on this glorious day the linemen padded up. We take a look at 1on1's from the nation's best.

It's a wonderful day in the lives of offensive lineman when the pads come on at these types of showcases and camps throughout the summer. No longer are you tasked with stopping the moment of a much superior athlete, barreling towards you with nothing but their helmet to lead the way. 

No, the ground becomes a lot more even when the shoulder pads come on. Today was that day in Dallas, Texas. And we got to see some of the nation's best young offensive and defensive linemen get physical and compete against one another in 1 on 1's. 

Of course, we've gotta start our breakdown with UGA commit, Tate Ratledge from Rome, Ga. He more than held his own this week, here you will see him compete with Bryan Bresee, the second overall player in the 2020 class and an absolute unit of a seventeen-year-old man. 

Proud of Darlington Tiger Tate Ratledge standing out among the best in the nation at The Opening in Dallas, Texas!#LoneStarTiger #DarFootball @DarAthletics @Mansell247 @ChadSimmons_ @StewartRomeSE pic.twitter.com/RDk7A2s19p

— Tommy Atha (@CoachTommyAtha) July 2, 2019

Now, as we talked about it's a different story for players when the pads come on. And Ratledge is certainly a physical player that finishes his blocks as we see in these clips against Marietta's own, BJ Ojulari. 

Great series of reps here from two of the best in Georgia this cycle. Marietta High star @Bj_O9 and Darlington OT @rat1edge at the Opening. Some real football players here. pic.twitter.com/PaXbLU9ycg

— Jeff Sentell (@jeffsentell) July 2, 2019

Former UGA commit, Akinola Ogunbiyi looked stout in pass pro, and though Georgia plans to replace him with presumably better players like Joshua Braun & Sedrick Van Pran, the young man performed well this week at the opening. 

#Aggies commit Aki Ogunbiyi at The Opening Finals: https://t.co/Wdb7wAWKPV pic.twitter.com/aQdbyHqfqT

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) July 2, 2019

Georgia commit, Jamil Burroughs was in attendance as well in Dallas, and if you've seen Burroughs' game you'd know that pass rushing is something he still needs to develop, but all the skills and talents that make him a great run defender, the low pad level and insane get off are still on display. He's just in an isolated drill and forced to pick a shade and side, not exactly a two way go for the kid. 

#Tennessee commit Cooper Mays vs #Georgia commit Jamil Burroughs: pic.twitter.com/4xz6ixJNz9

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) July 2, 2019

And the final thing needed to be mentioned from the closing of The Opening is that Kendall Milton is seemingly becoming closer and closer to be locked up for the Dawgs. My sources are telling me, that even though his commitment date is set for July 29th, Kendall Milton will be a Bulldog. In fact, even Milton himself gave a little bit of a hint that he was going to an SEC school with a lot of position competition in his interviews with the media. 

And he might not be the only five-star talent that is presumably locked up, maybe one particular corner is on his way east as well. 

Just because it's so great, let's take a look at Milton's highlights just for fun.