The Opening: Q&A with nation's No. 1 recruit Rashan Gary

Video: Nation's No. 1 recruit Rashan Gary lives up to top billing
See the nation's top recruit in action at The Opening.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — The top dog. The alpha male. The big man on campus.

Rashan Gary has heard it all this week at arguably sports' most coveted campus, Nike Headquarters, where the land of the rich, beautiful and most accomplished athletes are stenciled in bold and vibrant colors. 

The 6-foot-4, 291-pound defensive tackle from Paramus Catholic (N.J.) is the nation's No. 1 senior recruit, according to 247Sports, and what makes him particularly sought-after here is that his recruitment is wide open.

This is a recruiter reporter's shark tank. Everyone wants to know where Gary will end up. But like Friday nights, fighting double- and triple-teams, the outgoing and bespectacled incoming seniors holds off the fray.

Like when a reporter tried to trip him up into saying Michigan and Auburn were his top two choices. This after Gary announced his July plans to visit (in order): Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn and LSU.

"I couldn't say that," he said. "My mom and I haven't talked about it yet."

Gary is indeed very close to his mother Jennifer Coney, who was on hand and vocal during Thursday's linemen showcase at The Opening.

One of the few returners from last year's event — only a handful of incoming juniors are invited each year — Gary has taken on a leadership role this year.

But according to the football experts, Gary was the dominating player amongst the linemen. And this is an exception year for defensive linemen. Seven of the top 17 overall recruits from the class of 2017 play on the defensive interior.

Gary, who had 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss last year, has held up his reputation.

"Every year at The Opening, there is one prospect that you need to make sure you watch on every rep or else you might miss something spectacular. This year that guy is Rashan Gary," 247Sports recruiting expert Barton Simmons wrote Thursday. "Every time Gary takes a snap, whether it's during the run period or the pass-rush period, there's a different speed and a different intensity level on display."

Gary has a friendly yet direct intensity in interviews as well. Here are excerpts from our talk with the nation's top recruit.

Mitch Stephens: How is it to have a target on your back as the top dog here?

Rashan Gary: "You go against the best competition here and I love to compete. Lose or win, I love every rep, so I'm happy. … Day by day, I'm just trying to get better."

What are your recruiting plans for the end of the month?

"I'm going to Georgia this weekend, after that I'm going back down to Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn and LSU."

Why are you making second visits to some of these places?

"To get a better feel for the players. I spent a lot of time with the coaching staffs last time. The second visits are to make sure everything adds up and nothing has changed. …Then I'll sit down with my mom and make a decision."

What about Michigan? A lot of New Jersey kids are going there.

"The first time I went to Michigan I went by myself so my mom said she wants to see if what I said all adds up. When my mom went everything I said came true. She felt the love. … It all went smooth. … If Michigan keeps recruiting New Jersey kids, they'll have a top five recruiting class in the country."

What has it been like coming here a second time?

"The coaches know I've been here and they want me to lead the way. I'm trying to take the leadership role and have fun."

What did you like about Auburn?

"They made me and my mom feel at home. We went over academics for like an hour and they hit that on the head — there's no questions there. I'm just getting to know the coaching staff, building that relationship slowly but surely."

How often do you hear from Alabama?

"I hear from Alabama almost every day. It's cool. I've been down there once, but I want to spend more time down there. … The main thing is I want to make sure my mom is comfortable and that it's a school I'll be at for three or four years. Having her come down for a game and making sure it's close enough. With my mom behind me, I'm as powerful as ever."

Do guys around here give you a hard time for being the nation's top recruit?

"No, not a hard time. But they definitely want to compete with me. You don't go against competition like this everyday."

Is there much banter about who plays the best high school football? Texas, California, Florida? Where does New Jersey rank?

"I was just talking with some Georgia players and they talk about playing 6A ball and such. I told them to come play a New Jersey schedule against teams like Paramus, Bosco, DePaul and St. Peters. You play teams like that and you're going to get a good run for your money. I tell them, put us on your schedule and see what happens."