The Opening: Midlands Preview (Part 1)

Here is a look at the top athletes and defensive players from the Midlands region who will perform at Nike's The Opening in Oregon.

Scout.com's complete coverage of The Opening 2012 presented by NIKE

ATH Dontre Wilson - DeSoto HS (Texas) - Oregon Commit
The future Duck is a slick player in the open field. He lines up all over the field and has the speed to wreck defenses.

ATH Laquvionte Gonzalez - Cedar Hill HS (Texas) - Texas A&M Commit
Played a lot of running back as a junior, but has really come in to his own as a wide receiver this off-season. He is tough to blanket one-on-one.

CB Colin Spencer - Woodrow Wilson HS (Texas) - Kansas Commit
Could be considered as one the favorites to win the Sparq Championship. He posted a 3.87 pro-shuttle to help power a 141.47 rating at the Houston NFSC.

CB Maurice Smith - Sugar Land Dulles HS (Texas) -Alabama Commit
Rated as the No. 1 CB in the Midlands. He has nice size in addition to his rock solid ball skills that have helped him climb to the top.

DE Torrodney Prevot - Alief Taylor HS (Texas) - Undecided
One of the quickest and most explosive players off the edge. Has been a terror on OL in camps and it will be interesting to see if any things change in pads.

DT A'Shawn Robinson - Arlington Heights HS (Texas) - Texas Commit
Rated as a FOX Sports NEXT Top 100 defensive tackle he is as powerful as they come. Versatile enough that he could take some reps at OG and be one of the best.

DT Christian LaCouture- A&M Consolidated HS (Texas) - Nebraska Commit
Could be a defensive end in some schemes, but has the strength of a defensive tackle. He is ahead of the game techniquewise and soaks up coaching like a sponge.

LB Deon Hollins Jr. - Missouri City HS (Texas) - UCLA Commit
His high school experience is mostly at defensive end and he has a knack for coming off the edge in a hurry and making plays in the backfield.

LB Mike Mitchell - Plano Prestonwood HS (Texas) - Undecided
Has a good frame and plays hard all of the time. He is a hard-nosed linebacker who has the ability to play sideline-to-sideline. That ability has a number of schools interested.