If the Oregon Ducks land five-star recruit Byron Cowart, the Swoosh may be owed an assist.

Cowart, competing with some of the nation's top high school football talent during The Opening at Nike's world headquarters in Beaverton, said the Ducks are leading for his football commitment. For the 6-foot-3, 253-pound defensive end, it's matters beyond the football field which intrigue him.

"I'm not going anywhere for football," Cowart said. "When it's time for football, it will take care of itself.

"That Nike platform is crazy, it's big. I just want to see how big it is. That's why I'm interested in Oregon."



The Oregon Ducks, along with Florida, Alabama and Notre Dame, are among the favorites to land Cowart.



"If I did go to Oregon I could come (to Nike)," Cowart said. "My biggest thing is interning, not even for credit-wise. Just for experience... You need experience."



Cowart is also using his rising profile to help raise awareness for Crohn's disease after having met a young man – Jeovani Ortiz, who was diagnosed with it.



Cowart has been rated the top overall player in the 2015 class by Rivals. As a junior at Armwood in Florida, Cowart recorded 72 tackles and 13 sacks. The physical defender, in one word, describes his playing style as "violent."



Cowart plans to publicly announce his school of choice in December or on National Signing Day.

The Opening - 2014 34 Gallery: The Opening - 2014

-- Erik C. Anderson | @ErikCAnderson