2023 Elite 11 Finals Preview

Twenty of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 class are heading to Los Angeles to compete in the Elite 11 Finals, a premier quarterback competition. This is a three-day event where the best of the class will compete to be named the Elite 11 winner. This is the 24th year the competition has been contested, and we’ve seen CJ Stroud, Jackson Arnold, Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa, and Spencer Rattler all win the coveted MVP award. Last year, we saw the top quarterback, Arch Manning, skip this event. This year we will see ten quarterbacks in the top twenty of the 247 composite rankings, all ranked in the top 50 at their position.

What makes the Elite 11 intriguing is the fact that we get all of these players on the same field competing with each other. Throughout the country, each of these quarterbacks plays varying levels of competition with varying levels of skill around them. They don’t play a game or even an 11-on-11 scrimmage. The players undergo multiple drills that test their arm, brain, and legs. Watching these players side by side can give you an up-close perspective on the development of some players. Who has the better physical tools? Who is more athletic? Who is more accurate? While all in a staged environment, it’s the only time we get all these players in one setting until the All-Star games at the end of their senior years.

2023 Elite 11 Roster

Top Contenders

Dylan Raiola – the number one quarterback and player in his class, he has all the tools to win the competition. He is tall at 6’3″ and 220 pounds and has the arm strength and accuracy to compete with just about anyone in this field. With arguably the best mechanics in his class, Raiola will likely enter the event as the favorite to secure the MVP award.

Julian Sayin – He enters the event with confidence to win the MVP. Sayin is a pure pocket passer. His ability to manipulate the pocket is outstanding. He shows an innate ability to anticipate throws, putting the ball exactly where it needs to be. While Sayin doesn’t have the strongest arm in the class, he still challenges tight windows, has a quick release, and is decisive. These tools are exactly what you need to compete and win the Elite 11 MVP.

Air Noland – The lefty who should be considered a favorite to win the Elite 11 MVP, Noland has the whole package. Listed at 6’2″ and 185 pounds, Noland is the best distributor of the football in this class. Noland diagnoses defenses before threading needles and delivering the ball accurately (73% completion percentage last season) and on time. He displays the unique ability to anticipate routes and hit receivers in open windows. He has enough mobility to be dangerous.

Elijah Brown – He is one of the few quarterbacks who enter the Elite 11 Finals without having committed to a team. Brown plays at Mater Dei, also known as “Heisman High,” for their three Heisman Award winners. Mater Dei is also considered one of the top high school programs in the nation. Brown is listed at 6’2″ and 180 pounds. He thrives as a pocket passer. Brown shreds defenses with his accuracy (70% career completion percentage.) He also thrives in the deep passing game. His passes have some of the better velocity and accuracy on them when challenging deep. Brown has already beaten Raiola twice this year on his way to winning a state championship. With his deep passes and accuracy, he should be a top challenger for the MVP.

Luke Kromenhoek – Kromenhoek likely won’t be a name many are touting heading into the Finals. He has the prototype build for a quarterback at 6’3″ and 190 pounds. Kromenhoek has all the tools to not only win the contest, but *whispers* may be the best quarterback in this class. As a rusher, he shows excellent burst and incredible instincts on when to run and when to flush out of the pocket. Kromenhoek arguably has the best velocity in the class and pairs that with a quick release to generate velocity to all three levels of the field with relative ease. His only knock is limited playing time. He’s only started one season in high school, yet he was consistent and flashed a high upside. Watch out for Kromenhoek to open eyes during the Finals and possibly even win the whole damn thing!

Names to Watch

Colin Hurley – He is one of the youngest quarterbacks in his class because he reclassified from 2025 to the 2024 class. Hurley is one of the more intriguing names to watch because of his youth, but his size will fit right in with his competitors (6’0″, 213 pounds). His arm talent and velocity will impress during the finals. Hurley has continually improved his mechanics with Steve Clarkson (QB Retreat Director). His release is quick and clean. Hurley should impress in drills testing velocity and throwing downfield. He lacks mobility compared to those around him and will need consistency to compete for the MVP. He’s one of the top players to watch during the event.

DJ Lagway – He had an incredible junior season. The son of former Baylor running back John Derek Lagway, DJ has some rushing production of his own, finishing the 2022 season with over 400 rushing yards. I don’t think he’s just a rusher, though, because Lagway has one of the most impressive arms in his class. He can challenge all three levels of the field with ease. His accuracy took a massive jump forward from 55% to 67% last season. Lagway can use his mobility to maneuver around the pocket and improvise. He does have the ability to throw from multiple arm slots. Lagway tends to rely on his arm strength a bit too much. He doesn’t show any changing of speeds on his throws and, at times, forces throws that he shouldn’t. His mechanics can sway at times, and he doesn’t consistently show good footwork. Lagway’s upside alone will be worth watching during the event as he competes with the top quarterbacks in his class.

Michael Hawkins – He is arguably one of the most exciting prospects in this class. The former Allen (TX) quarterback, who was compared to alum Kyler Murray because of his rushing ability, is now on his way to Frisco Emerson High School. Hawkins is a true dual-threat option at quarterback. In his two years as a varsity starter, he’s amassed over 1,000 rushing yards while adding over 4,800 passing yards. Hawkins rushing will likely be a major talking point. If he hits the open field, he is gone. He has a confirmed 4.8 40-yard dash and a 4.5 20-yard shuttle. Yet, while his rushing upside is exciting, his arm is what will excite during the Finals. Hawkins generates incredible velocity with a quick release. He easily challenges all three levels of the field and can hit sideline throws with little effort. His accuracy took a nosedive last year, as did his consistency. Hawkins will have to improve on two things, but nonetheless, he is an exciting player to watch during the Finals.

Hauss Hejny – He might be listed as one of the smaller quarterbacks at the finals (5′ 11″, 185), but his athleticism will be equal to everyone at the Finals. Hejny is elusive with the ball in his hands as a rusher. He’s one of the few players to amass 1,000 yards rushing and over 2,000 yards passing. Hejny has arguably “elite” speed and uses it well when running, specifically in the open field. He thrives throwing on the run and using his legs to create windows and confuse defenses. He has a quick and compact release. Hejny lacks high-end arm velocity and won’t be a player you’ll see throwing deep balls with that extra sauce on it. Hejny, ranked as QB30 in the composite, should have a good Finals appearance and be a player who will open some eyes.

Demond Williams Jr. – Much like Hejny, Williams is listed at 5’11” and 180 pounds. Yet what Williams may lack in height, he makes up for with a cannon of an arm. Williams boasts an incredible 59/6 TD/INT ratio. He is one of the few players at the Finals who has played and started since his freshman season. Although he’s rushed for over 1,600 rushing yards in his career, Williams always looks to pass the ball. He typically only runs when forced from the pocket or on QB reads. Williams is comfortable maneuvering in the pocket and launching a 50+ yard pass instead of running to the open field. Williams’s mechanics and feet are inconsistent, and he’ll need to continue improving.

Potential Risers

Trever Jackson – He is also one of the youngest in his class but has prototypical size at 6’3″ and 190 pounds. Jackson played his junior season with a separated shoulder which may have caused his dip in play. Even with the shoulder injury, Jackson displayed one of the stronger arms in the class. He has a quick release paired with that top-end velocity. He sometimes seems to trust that velocity too much, though. Jackson has forced a fair amount of tight-window throws, resulting in seven interceptions last year. While he has the arm strength to challenge downfield, his accuracy seemed to falter. He was a much better passer within 20 yards. Jackson has room to grow with the injury and it being his first year starting. However, his invite to the Finals shows his raw upside and tools. He is one of two players who hasn’t committed yet, but a good showing at the Finals could see him rise up through the ranks.

Jadyn Davis – It may be crazy to say Davis could be a riser considering he’s already a top ten quarterback (and top five for most services), yet there are still some questions about his game. Davis has had an impressive high school career. He’s won the Mr. Football award, the highest honor in North Carolina, and followed that up with Player of the Year for both MaxPreps and Football America. Consistency is the name of Davis’s game. He can efficiently run an offense and shows a great mind to anticipate throws and read defenses. Davis thrives in structure and is a reliable and consistent pocket quarterback. That is also his biggest problem. Davis doesn’t bring much out of structure or possess the strongest arm to this point. He has been knocked for not having that “elite” trait. However, if he can go out in the Finals, finish with a top rank, and compete with this class, he might move up some boards.

CJ Carr – He is the grandson of former Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr. CJ stunned the world by picking Notre Dame over the school his family has close ties with. Carr has had an impressive high school career, according to all reports. In his sophomore season, he passed for 2,696 yards with a 28/4 TD/Int ratio for a 64.2% completion percentage. Carr has refined mechanics. From his feet to release his body and throws move in concert. He tends to process well in the pocket, manipulating the pocket and moving to find the right throw. Carr excels in the short/intermediate parts of the field but can challenge defenders deep. Overall, Carr is an incredibly solid player with upside and a solid floor.

Isaac Wilson – While Wilson will be known because of his brother, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, Isaac is an intriguing prospect in his own right. Wilson hails from Corner Canyon High School, which has produced Devin Brown, Jaxson Dart, and Zach Wilson. He burst onto the scene as a junior, passing for 3,779 yards and a 40/17 TD/INT ratio with a 61% completion percentage. Isaac displays good footwork when in the pocket. He has enough velocity to challenge all three levels of the field. He can play out of structure and brings some rushing upside. He does throw on the run and can throw from multiple arm angles. Wilson sometimes struggles when pressured and looks to make a big play instead of the simple one. He also lacks some consistency in his game. Throwing 17 interceptions is also not ideal.

Dante Reno – He could see a massive jump in the rankings after the Finals. His pocket manipulation stands out amongst the group. Reno consistently navigates the pocket when pressured. Whether it’s stepping up to avoid rushers, getting rid of the ball, bailing out of the pocket, and looking to throw on the run. When throwing off the platform, Reno consistently resets his feet to fire an accurate ball while on the move. Reno shows above-average arm strength. He is the son of a quarterback coach, and you can see his attention to detail in his mechanics. His footwork to release is consistent and impressive. He tends to try and place balls more than he should, specifically when he needs to add some velocity, but he can challenge tight windows. Reno could see a big jump if he can come out at the Finals and prove he belongs with the top quarterbacks in this class.

Players who could Surprise

Ryan Puglisi – He is a three-sport star athlete and a top pitching and shortstop prospect for the MLB. There is not a window he can’t challenge, and you might favor him throwing the football through a brick wall. Puglisi brings his shortstop expertise to the football field, using different arm slots to release the ball and throws off-platform with relative ease. He never seems to be off-balance. Puglisi has limited starting experience. He shows a lack of accuracy and consistency, which might be due to a lack of live-game reps. While he is also committed to Georgia, he is not considered to be in Raiola’s class as a quarterback. He is one of the players who could surprise in the Finals by competing or not getting outclassed by the top quarterbacks in the class.

Will Hammond – He was a shock invitee that raised some eyebrows when he was announced. The current Texas Tech commit has some interesting attributes. Hammond finished his junior campaign with 2,763 passing yards with a 30/5 TD/INT ratio with a concerning 59% completion percentage but added 728 rushing yards with nine rushing touchdowns. Hammond has a rocket attached to his right shoulder. It doesn’t matter if he’s in the pocket or forced to pass on the run; Hammond can fire the ball with high-end velocity just about anywhere on the field. He has a smooth release and does get the ball out quickly. He can burn defenders on the run and uses his legs well to bail from the pocket and buy time for his receivers to get open. Hammond’s mechanics are a bit all over the place. He tends to use his upper body and arm for his throws and doesn’t seem to engage his base as much. Hammond’s accuracy issues could also come back to haunt him a bit.

Daniel Kaelin – He will be in the argument for the best pocket passer in this class. In his junior season, Kaelin finished with 3,186 passing yards, a 36/7 TD/INT ratio, and a 63% completion percentage. Kaelin is everything you want in a pocket passer. He maneuvers within the pocket well, avoiding defenders and knowing when to step up or around to get a pass off. He shows excellent anticipation throws while being one of the few quarterbacks that can throw his receivers open. While he can throw the ball anywhere on the field, Kaelin lacks that final push in most of his throws. He is a player who could succeed and thrive in the Finals, but his lack of velocity may hurt him.

Danny O’Neil – He is likely a name most were unfamiliar with just a month ago. Yet the Indianapolis area knows O’Neil well. In his junior season, he passed for 2,654 yards with a 32/7 TD/INT ratio with a 62% completion percentage. O’Neil recently committed to Colorado. While many would assume it’s because of Deion, his relationship with OC Sean Lewis was key. O’Neil can use his legs to hurt defenses. He shows good pocket presence and does seem to look to pass more than run. If forced to run, he’s a good enough athlete to cause some issues. O’Neil shows some velocity throws in the short/intermediate area and displays good accuracy there. He can challenge defenses deep, but his throws lack velocity at times. He tends to try and place it deep, putting a lot of air under the ball. He has also shown the ability to throw off platform and from different arm angles. O’Neil is a relative unknown, though a good performance at the finals could see his stock skyrocket.

Ethan Grunkemeyer – Another intriguing addition that many around the circuit may not know is Grunkemeyer. The two-sport athlete is listed at 6’2″ and 190 pounds out of Lewis Center, Ohio. Grunkemeyer is a pass-first quarterback. He shows some athleticism outside the pocket but typically leaves the pocket to throw. He completed an impressive 64% of his passes last year with a 25/8 TD/INT ratio. Grunkemeyer shows some decent velocity in the short/intermediate area, and some anticipation throws well. His deep ball lacks some velocity in the final third and isn’t a strong part of his game. He has solid mechanics and impressive footwork in the pocket. Grunkemeyer is similar to another Penn State commit, Jaxon Smolik, who also attended the Elite 11 Finals last year. We will see if his performance in the Finals can help him as it did Smolik.

The Elite 11 Finals run for three days in Los Angeles, California, from June 14-17. Make sure to stay tuned into Campus2Canton as we break down everything coming out of the Finals. With such an intriguing class, this competition could help separate some of these players and level out some tiers.

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