Elite 11 is the premier competition for quarterback recruits around the country. The event boasts alums like Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer.
This year, the Elite 11 team, including Brian Stumpf and renowned quarterback trainers Jordan Palmer and Trent Dilfer, travelled to 12 different regional events. The group hosted over a thousand high school quarterbacks.
Now, the competition has been whittled down to 20 to compete in next week’s final in Los Angeles. Here is a preview of the 20 participants listed in alphabetical order. The consensus quarterback ranking noted is provided by On3.
Austin Novosad
- Height- 6’3
- Weight- 185
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB13
- High School/State- Dripping Springs (Dripping Springs, Texas)
- Commitment- Baylor
Austin has been a quick riser this year after his display at the Elite 11 Dallas Regional. He was listed as the best quarterback by many after that competition where he won the golden gun accuracy challenge. Accuracy is the name of Austin’s game. He displays good velocity in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He can stretch the field with his arm and consistently hits pass catchers in stride. While he may not win the competition, he could be a dark horse to surprise and finish near the top. (Written by Matt Bruening)
Avery Johnson
- Height- 6’2
- Weight- 170
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB12
- High School/State- Maize (Maize, Kansas)
- Commitment- Open
Avery Johnson is listed at a wiry 6’2” 170 pounds, but in person he seems well proportioned. His tape is electric; he shows dynamic play-making ability out of structure and calls to mind Adrian Martinez or, in a perfect world, Josh Allen. What impressed me at the Nashville regional was that he competed at a high level within the drills. Johnson looked very poised and comfortable performing consistent quarterback exercises. He looked like a mature, seasoned signal called in control of his game. If he’s got that down, and the ability to flash when the play breaks down, watch out. Outside of football, Johnson is an explosive basketball player, leading his team to the state championship. Johnson’s basketball highlights are a must watch. (Written by Alfred Fernandez)
Brady Drogosh
- Height- 6’4
- Weight- 200
- Star/Consensus Rank- 3, QB33
- High School/State- De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, Michigan)
- Commitment- Cincinnati
Named after Tom Brady, Drogosh tapped into his idol’s competitive mindset with a 13-0 junior season, capping it off with a dominant performance in the Michigan Division Two State Championship. The Warren, Michigan native is a legitimate dual-threat quarterback, and with his 4.68 40 and 4.21 shuttle at Ohio’s Elite 11 regional in early April, he might very well be one of the most athletic passers in the 20-man pool. Drogosh seems to have a good grasp of the intricacies involved with running the RPO, a skillset that should translate fairly seamlessly into new offensive coordinator Gino Guidugli’s system. The tools are there with the 6’4” 200-pounder, but more refinement in the passing game is needed for Drogosh to take the next step in his development. A good week of drills in Los Angeles could shoot the De La Salle product into household notoriety going into the fall. (Written by Marc Poust)
Brock Glenn
- Height- 6’2
- Weight- 195
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB21
- High School/State- Lausanne Collegiate School (Memphis, Tennessee)
- Commitment- Open
Brock Glenn has been picking up steam on the recruiting trail after his Nashville performance. He was sharp. Apparently Ohio State took notice, offering the signal caller following his performance. With a stout 6’2” frame, he combines a quick release of 0.39 seconds and generates an above average velocity of 46.6mph (metrics per Breakaway data). He was very accurate and comfortable during the drills and went about his business with a cool, confident demeanor. He may not be the next Josh Allen but he can get around the pocket and has functional mobility. Glenn is certainly on my sleeper list but may not qualify as a sneaky pick anymore. Rivals bumped him from unranked to a 4-star and QB11 after his Nashville regional performance punched his ticket to the Finals. (Written by Alfred Fernandez)
Chris Parson
- Height- 6’4
- Weight- 200
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB16
- High School/State- Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tennessee)
- Commitment- Florida State
Parson was one of the first commits to FSU’s 2023 class, and by many accounts their highest priority. The journeyman HS QB hopped from powerhouse to powerhouse getting his first career start in the state championship game as a freshman at Duncanville (TX), for the injured Ja’Quinden Jackson (now at Utah), and ending up at Ravenwood (TN) for his final two years. Parson’s live arm pops off tape, but perhaps the most notable trait is actually his ability to create out of structure. This is punctuated by the fact that he is a threat to make a house call with his legs on any given play. While he has some deficiencies in hitting more nuanced routes and a noticeably small stature, his future is bright with room for improvement in mechanics to further his arm strength and the ability to power the ball into tight windows. (Written by Barnabas Lee)
Christopher Vizzina
- Height- 6’4
- Weight- 207
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB5
- High School/State- Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, Alabama)
- Commitment- Clemson
Vizzina punched his ticket to the Finals after a stellar performance at the Atlanta regional. He showcased his footwork and compact release, a few of the things to really love about his game. Vizzina has a good arm. He puts some mustard on his passes and throws a great deep ball. He moves well in the pocket and sets his feet quickly after movement, creating a good base before throws. With the velocity and arm though, the most concerning thing is too much zip on passes – especially short and intermediate. Vizzina often looks flustered when he is out of pocket and will need to shore that up as well. (Written by Dwight Peebles)
Dante Moore
- Height- 6’2
- Weight- 195
- Star/Consensus Rank- 5, QB4
- High School/State- Martin Luther King (Detroit, Michigan)
- Commitment- Open
Dante Moore has already achieved a sort of celebrity status, having established relationships with Cam Newton and Michael Vick. The Detroit native is a calm and poised pocket passer. Technically sound in his footwork and general lower half. Moore will not impress you as a rusher, but he has adequate mobility to get out of trouble. Still, he’ll likely make his bones from the pocket. He does not have the strongest arm, but compensates for any lack of arm strength with quick processing and decision making. (Written by Felix Sharpe)
Eli Holstein
- Height- 6’4
- Weight- 222
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB8
- High School/State- Zachary (Zachary, Louisiana)
- Commitment- Alabama
Chalk one up for Nick Saban in the Saban vs Jimbo rivalry when Eli Holstein committed to Alabama. The 4-star QB and #56 overall player in the class, Holstein already has the NFL size at 6’4” 222lbs. Holstein’s arm is just as big as he is. If he tightens up his wind-up, he could hopefully help to improve his ball placement to go with the rest of his arm talent. Holstein is also a good athlete for his size. He is a bit lumbering, but can still outrun defenders and make a guy miss at times. Holstein will have his work cut out for him at Alabama if his commitment holds as he battles 2021 4-star Jalen Milroe or 2022 5-star Ty Simpson for the starting role next year if Young leaves. (Written by Colin Decker)
Emory Williams
- Height- 6’4
- Weight- 190
- Star/Consensus Rank- 3, QB43
- High School/State- Milton (Milton, Florida)
- Commitment- Miami (FL)
Williams might be the lowest-ranked among the group of throwers in Los Angeles, but there are a plethora of reasons for optimism surrounding his game. The recent Miami commit has incredible touch on his deep throws, but his best trait might be scanning the field and going through full-field progressions. While he is not considered incredibly athletic from a running standpoint, Williams has a great sense of the pocket and reacts accordingly when the edge starts to collapse. It would be no surprise to anyone familiar with the Florida native to see his recruiting ranking rise in the upcoming months. (Written by Marc Poust)
J.J. Kohl
- Height- 6’6
- Weight- 195
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB14
- High School/State- Ankeny (Ankeny, Iowa)
- Commitment- Iowa State
A lanky and surprisingly mobile improviser who is adequate in making off platform throws. Kohl is willing to take off with his long galloping strides, but it is unlikely that he has enough speed for that to be a major part of his game at the collegiate level. Kohl led his school to the state championship in 2021 and has stated his goal of obtaining a Big 12 Championship for the Cyclones. (Written by Felix Sharpe)
Jackson Arnold
- Height- 6’1
- Weight- 198
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB6
- High School/State- Guyer (Denton, Texas)
- Commitment- Oklahoma
Jackson Arnold is probably the least talked about of 5-star QBs in the class of 2023. But as the top rated QB prospect in Texas who led his team to the State Championship game last year, he shouldn’t be overlooked. Arnold is a plus-athlete for the QB position and offers a threat with his legs. His baseball background makes its way to the football field with his arm talent, but also leads to awkward lower body mechanics which will need to be improved. Arnold’s athleticism and arm talent led to him playing well outside of structure. If he can improve inside of structure, Arnold has a high ceiling and the opportunity to start early at Oklahoma. (Written by Colin Decker)
Jaden Rashada
- Height- 6’4
- Weight- 185
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB7
- High School/State- Pittsburg (Pittsburg, California)
- Commitment- Open
Jaden Rashada has been one of the more touted quarterbacks in this class. Rashada is considered a pocket passer but he has the mobility to avoid rushers and make plays with his legs. Rashada thrives on anticipation throws. His ability to throw a touch pass over a defender and then fire a ball with enough velocity to fit through the tightest of windows makes him an interesting QB in this competition. His accuracy has struggled at times but in the short and intermediate areas of the field, Rashada is money. (Written by Matt Bruening)
Kenny Minchey
- Height- 6’1
- Weight- 207
- Star/Consensus Rank- 3, QB25
- High School/State- Pope John Paul II (Hendersonville, Tennessee)
- Commitment- Pittsburgh
Coincidentally, Pittsburgh swapped out one “Kenny” for another, as Minchey committed to the Panthers in late April, only days after Pickett was selected to the Atlanta Falcons. The Hendersonville, Tennessee native was quite impressive at the Nashville regional, earning him the opportunity to compete alongside the premier quarterbacks in the class. Minchey possesses a well-developed frame for his age, and when you marry his strong arm and crisp release with great lower body mechanics, you start to understand why the 207-pounder was one of three signal-callers selected from The Volunteer State. (Written by Marc Poust)
Malachi Nelson
- Height- 6’3
- Weight- 180
- Star/Consensus Rank- 5, QB2
- High School/State- Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, California)
- Commitment- USC
Nelson, the second-ranked QB in the class, punched his ticket to the Finals with a strong showing at the Las Vegas regional. He has a natural throwing motion and can make throws to all levels of the field. Nelson can make throws from different angles and is an accurate passer. He can make plays outside of the pocket and is mobile enough to make take off when needed also. He’s a natural, savvy athlete with fluidity in his movement and processes the game impressively. Nelson will need to add some mass and strength and improve on turnovers (8 INTS in 2021, one every 30.6 throws), but he will be arriving on campus in time to take over when Caleb Williams departs from the Trojans. (Written by Dwight Peebles)
Malachi Singleton
- Height- 6’1
- Weight- 225
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB17
- High School/State- North Cobb (Kennesaw, Georgia)
- Commitment- Arkansas
Singleton flew across the country from Georgia to attend the Elite 11 L.A. Regional, and earned an invite to the Finals. He has a stocky build, and looks like an LB but plays like a QB. Singleton has a strong arm and makes accurate throws. He loves to run and will run over players, churning for more yards and tough to bring down. Singleton has decent touch and understanding of what throws he can make but will need to learn to read defenses and refine his football IQ. His size could hinder him some but the kid is a baller and it’s hard not to love the way he plays. (Written by Dwight Peebles)
Marcus Stokes
- Height- 6’2
- Weight- 185
- Star/Consensus Rank- 3, QB28
- High School/State- Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)
- Commitment- Penn State
Coming from Tim Tebow’s alma mater, Stokes presents the opposite profile of the NCAA 11 cover athlete. Stokes was a late bloomer as he only broke out as the starter in his junior year, wheeling and dealing his way to a 9-4 record leading the team as both a rusher and a passer. He has a knack for coming out on top when taking risks, although his decision-making highlights his immaturity as a passer. The coaches at State College have the opportunity to mold a QB that excels at making passes with rushers in his face and has the ability to vary his arm angles and vertical trajectories to fit passes into small windows. He’s not likely to be a true dual-threat with his stiff hips that come with only adequate size and speed, but his passing has Saturday potential with continued refinement and development. (Written by Barnabas Lee)
Nicholaus Iamaleava
- Height- 6’5
- Weight- 195
- Star/Consensus Rank- 5, QB3
- High School/State- Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, California)
- Commitment- Tennessee
No high school student has the attention of the country like Nico Iamaleava, the 8 Million Dollar Man. Though there is no official confirmation, all indications are that Iamaleava is the student who signed an 8 million dollar NIL deal to join the Volunteers. At this point in his development, Nico is a thin frame pocket gunslinger who can legitimately threaten a defense at any level. He has excellent velocity and a quick release. Doubles as an excellent volleyball player. (Written by Felix Sharpe)
Pierce Clarkson
- Height- 6’0
- Weight- 195
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB11
- High School/State- St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)
- Commitment- Louisville
The son of private quarterback coach Steve Clarkson and alum of California prep powerhouse St. John Bosco. Pierce split reps in his junior season with now Michigan State Freshman Katin Houser. Identified as a dual threat, but accumulated just 254 yards on 38 carries in 2021. More often scrambles to throw in the short and intermediate area. Will need to develop a deep game and show ability to make perimeter throws to have success at the next level. Should be commended for his ability to recruit. Was able to secure the commitment of 4 star WR DeAndre Moore to the Cardinals. Moore would be the highest rated player to sign with Louisville since 2006. (Written by Felix Sharpe)
Rickie Collins
- Height- 6’2
- Weight- 190
- Star/Consensus Rank- 4, QB10
- High School/State- Woodlawn (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
- Commitment- Purdue
Rickie Collins is a dynamic athlete with a live arm. His improvisational skills are some of the best in this class. Pair that with his pocket poise and ability to avoid defenders and Collins is a dangerous threat on every play. While he can use his legs, Collins typically tries to buy time before making a pass downfield, the ball flies off of his hand and he shows plenty of velocity on his passes, whether from the pocket or rolling out. He displays accuracy throwing the ball deep, consistently hitting his receivers in stride. Collins overall arm talent makes him a dark horse to possibly win the event. (Written by Matt Bruening)
Zane Flores
- Height- 6’3
- Weight- 190
- Star/Consensus Rank- 3, QB23
- High School/State- Gretna (Gretna, Nebraska)
- Commitment- Oklahoma State
Much of Flores’ high school career has gone under the radar, but we are starting to see the Oklahoma State commit begin to flourish onto the national scene. The Nebraska native proved his ability on the circuit, receiving MVP honors among all quarterbacks at the Indianapolis Rivals regional camp. The Gretna High School product possesses an above-average arm and is mobile enough to evade pressure, but what stands out about Flores is his decision-making and mental makeup. Coming from a football family, with both his father and brother playing college football, this should come as no surprise. However, what might catch you off guard is how the once-overlooked passer stacks up to the best in the class in Los Angeles. (Written by Marc Poust)
Our Picks
- Alfred- Winner: Malachi Nelson/ Dark Horse- Avery Johnson
- Barnabas- Winner: Christopher Vizzina/ Dark Horse- Jaden Rashada
- Colin- Winner: Malachi Nelson/ Dark Horse- Kenny Minchey
- Dwight- Winner: Dante Moore/ Dark Horse- Pierce Clarkson
- Felix- Winner: Malchi Nelson/ Dark Horse- Pierce Clarkson
- Marc- Winner: Malachi Nelson/ Dark Horse- Rickie Collins
- Matt- Winner: Dante Moore/ Dark Horse- Austin Novosad
Elite 11 Finals are an intense competition. Most of the top quarterbacks, with the exception of Arch Manning, will be present for the competition, which runs June 28-30. All have a legitimate shot to win the competition. Stay tuned to Campus2Canton as we will bring you coverage all week on the 2022 Elite 11 Final.
