Twenty of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class are heading to Los Angeles on June 17-19 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 26th 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, Bryce Underwood, skip this event, and Alabama commit Keelon Russell win the MVP. This year, we will see seven quarterbacks in the top 10, 13 in the top 20 of the 247 composite rankings, all ranked in the top 50 at their position, outside of Bryson Beaver, who currently sits at QB67.
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.
Elite 11 Finals Invitees
List of Elite 11 Final invites that were accepted in alphabetical order.
| Name | 247 Comp. Rating | Star Rating | School |
| Bowe Bentley | 9 | 4-Star | N/A |
| Briggs Cherry | 26 | 4-Star | Louisville |
| Bryson Beaver | 67 | 3-Star | Boise State |
| Dia Bell | 3 | 5-Star | Texas |
| Derek Zammit | 27 | 4-Star | Washington |
| Dereon Coleman | 13 | 4-Star | Miami (FL) |
| Faizon Brandon | 2 | 5-Star | Tennessee |
| Helaman Casuga | 17 | 4-Star | Texas A&M |
| Jake Fette | 10 | 4-Star | Arizona State |
| Jett Thomalla | 16 | 4-Star | Iowa State |
| Jonas Williams | 8 | 4-Star | USC |
| Keisean Henderson | 4 | 5-Star | Houston |
| Landon Duckworth | 6 | 4-Star | N/A |
| Matt Ponatoski | 22 | 4-Star | N/A |
| Oscar Rios | 12 | 4-Star | N/A |
| Tait Reynolds | 21 | 4-Star | Clemson |
| Terry Walker III | 47 | 3-Star | Duke |
| Travis Burgess | 30 | 3-Star | UNC |
| Troy Huhn | 20 | 4-Star | Penn State |
| Will Griffin | 15 | 4-Star | Florida |
Top Elite 11 Contenders
Dia Bell- 0.900 Star Rating- American Heritage High School (FL)
Dia Bell plays for one of the more recognized high schools in the nation. He finished last season with a 70% completion percentage.
From an athletic standpoint, Bell is one of the more exciting players. He amplifies what football has become from the quarterback position in his ability to make plays out of structure. His impressive mechanics and consistent throwing motion make him a strong bet to do well in this competition. Bell will likely be in the race as one of the top quarterbacks in this class as well.
Keisean Henderson- 0.923 Star Rating- Legacy the school of Sport Sciences (TX)
Henderson brings a unique blend of athleticism and arm strength to the position. He passed for 25 touchdowns while adding seven rushing touchdowns.
Still a bit raw at the position, but he has all the skills you want from your quarterback. He can throw with accuracy and velocity off-platform. He does well in the pocket and is a threat with his legs. Henderson should thrive in some of the new drills, forcing players out of the pocket.
Briggs Cherry- 0.031 Star Rating- Baylor (TN)
Cherry won a Division II AAA championship last season. He passed for 2,718 yards with a 31/3 TD/Int ratio, earning himself an All-State selection.
Cherry is the more pocket-passing prototype quarterback of the group. His football IQ and ability to diagnose defenses will help him. He passes with high-end accuracy and ball placement. He thrives more in the short/intermediate areas but can challenge deep as well. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, which could hurt him some in this competition, but his passing ability will shine in this competition.
Derek Zammit- 0.562 Star Rating- DePaul Catholic (NJ)
Zammit won a Non-Public B State Championship while passing for 2,582 yards and a 35/4 TD/Int ratio. He added 560 rushing yards with six rushing touchdowns. He would get an invite and play in the Under Armour All-American Game as a junior.
Zammit is a spark plug and tends to ignite the offense into exciting plays. He easily avoids sacks with his legs and knows when to pass or run to hurt defenses. He thrives in off-platform play and easily fires the ball downfield from multiple arm angles with impressive accuracy and velocity. Lower ranked by the services, Zammit has the ability and confidence to be a top finisher in the finals.
Jake Fette- 0.758 Star Rating- Del Valle (TX)
Fette won the MVP as a sophomore and followed up that season by passing for 2,488 yards with a 32/1 TD/Int ratio. He rushed for 589 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He thrives in the short/intermediate parts of the field. Passing with high-end accuracy and velocity. His accuracy remains on deep shots, but he does tend to lose a bit of velocity. He’s an impressive athlete who will surprise with his ability to play out of structure. He can pass from multiple arm angles as well. Fette is a contender for the top player in this contest.
Names to Watch
Bowe Bentley- 0.620 Star Rating- Celina (TX)
Bentley is a three-sport athlete who also plays soccer and lacrosse. As a junior, he won a 4A D-1 State championship and was invited to play in the Navy All-American Bowl.
Bentley thrives with accurate throws all over the field. He displays good ball placement when needed and has some impressive deep throws. He can make plays out of structure and displays accuracy on tough throws off-platform and from multiple arm angles. His understanding of offensive schemes and arm talent could see him rise amongst his peers.
Oscar Rios- 0.036 Star Rating- Downey (CA)
Rios took over after Aidan Chiles went to Oregon State. Last season he passed for 2,554 yards with a 22/6 TD/Int ratio. He added 735 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. With some top schools after him, he’s announced his commitment date as June 25, 2025.
Rios is a true dual-threat quarterback but might possess more danger with his legs than his arm. His quick release is effective in the RPO-style offense he runs. He thrives with accuracy and some velocity in the short/intermediate area. The further the ball goes from the line of scrimmage, though, is when his arm starts to struggle. He’s impressed in camps and could be among his peers in the finals.
Matt Ponatoski- 0.446 Star Rating- Archbishop Moeller (OH)
Ponatoski passed for 4,200 yards with a 58/3 TD/Int ratio. He led Archbishop Moeller to a state championship in 2024, along with playing second base for the baseball team. He is currently uncommitted and has been getting offers from top schools. He has not announced a commitment date.
Thrives in the pocket and delivers impressive strikes all over the field. Not afraid to take a big hit in the pocket to deliver the ball. He shows good ball placement along the sidelines and deep throws. He can throw the ball from multiple arm angles, and with his arm strength and adept passing, he could be a player to make a name for himself at the Elite 11 Finals.
Travis Burgess- 0.883 Star Rating- Grayson (GA)
In his first season as the Grayson quarterback, Burgess led them to a Georgia 5A state championship. He completed 60% of his passes for 2,225 yards with a 23/4 TD/Int ratio. He added 596 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Thrives in the rushing game and is a true dual-threat. While he struggles with accuracy, he does pass with anticipation and layered throws in the middle of the field. Burgess can challenge deep balls but loses a decent bit of velocity on balls past 20+ yards. It’s possible that with an improvement in mechanics, his velocity could improve. He has the tools to surprise among his peers.
Faizon Brandon- 0.504 Star Rating- Grimsley (NC)
Brandon enters the finals as an already highly decorated player. He finished as the Alpha Dog in the National Combine in January. He won the Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year in North Carolina. He completed 77% of his passes for 2,814 yards and a 35/2 TD/int ratio. He would add 625 rushing yards with nine rushing touchdowns.
He’s a dual-threat quarterback with all the tools to win this competition. His mechanics are incredible, and he has impressive footwork. Uses his micro-movements in the pocket to avoid defenders and knows when to bail out of the pocket. Shows high-end football IQ and knows how to vary speeds on his throws. He does seem to lose some on his deep balls, and his receivers have to come back to get balls that he should lead them on. Ball placement struggles at times, throwing to the receivers wrong shoulder or too high for them. He has the tools and could dominate this competition, but seems to lack the refined nuances or consistency to do it.
Potential Risers Post Elite 11
Landon Duckworth- 0.594 Star Rating- Jackson (AL)
Landon passed for 3,439 yards with a 39/10 TD/Int ratio while adding 648 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He would help lead the Jackson basketball team to two state championships.
While he has the tools to be a top prospect in this class, his consistency is lacking. His mechanics are all over the place, and his arm strength overall is lacking. His deep ball lacks velocity and ball placement, and his accuracy comes and goes. Duckworth does show the ability to make impressive plays and “wow” throws, but then struggles with the routine at times. If he is “on” during the finals, he could impress.
Troy Huhn- 0.182 Star Rating- Mission Hills (CA)
Huhn has no listed stats as a junior. He has committed to Penn State.
Huhn has a quick release and excels in the nuances of the quarterback position. He displays good accuracy and ball placement. He throws with anticipation and layers throws when needed. He has quick feet and impressive footwork and mechanics. His arm may not blow anyone away, but his ability to make accurate throws could help him in the Elite 11 Finals.
Dereon Coleman- 0.248 Star Rating- Jones (FL)
Completing 72% of his passes for 3,412 yards and a 28/4 TD/Int ratio. He added 455 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He took Jones High School to the semi-finals as a sophomore.
Coleman displays a quick release and generates a fair amount of velocity for his size. He can use his legs to avoid defenders in the backfield or add rushing yards. Thrives on the deep ball and is arguably the best part of his passing. Tends to struggle in the short/intermediate areas. Doesn’t vary speed throws and sometimes struggles with ball placement.
Helaman Casuga- 0.149 Star Rating- Corner Canyon (UT)
In six listed games, Casuga passed for 1,617 yards with an 18/2 TD/Int ratio. Casuga is the next Corner Canyon quarterback who has produced players Jaxson Dart, Zach, and Issac Wilson.
Casuga thrives with his natural and consistent mechanics. He has a quick release that is repeatable and consistent. He has some of the best pocket manipulation in the class and can make defenders miss before delivering a strike downfield. Has shown good placement on deep throws and has the arm strength to fire deep shots and challenge tight windows. His mechanics and accuracy could have him show out in the event and rise in the rankings.
Jett Thomala- 0.179 Star Rating- Millard South (NE)
Thomala finished as MaxPreps Nebraska Player of the Year on his way to winning a Class A Championship for the first time in 15 years for Millard South. He completed 69% of his passes for 3,663 yards and a 47/3 TD/int ratio.
Thomala thrives in the short/intermediate area and usually sets his feet quickly and gets the ball out. He’s comfortable in the pocket but can make plays out of structure. Struggles with velocity down the field and tight window throws. He struggles with consistency in passing the ball, and this will likely be his biggest issue in the Elite 11 Finals.
Players Who Could Surprise at the Elite 11 Finals
Bryson Beaver- N/A Star Rating- Vista Murrieta (CA)
Beaver passed for 3,214 yards with a 33/6 TD/Int ratio. He added 411 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Despite getting offers from some top teams in college football, he’s stayed committed to Boise State.
His ball placement might be some of the best in the class. He consistently puts the ball exactly where his receiver needs it and sometimes leads his receivers away from defenders. Beaver can challenge tight windows in the short area and has some layered throws over the middle of the field and deep in-between LB and DB. His snappy release and ball placement could see his stock take a massive rise in the Elite 11 Finals.
Jonas Williams- 0.286 Star Rating- Lincoln-Way East (IL)
Williams transferred in ahead of his junior season to Lincoln-Way East. There are no reported stats on him, and he will be joining fellow classmate Ryder Lyons in committing to USC.
He possesses high-end ball placement in the pocket and on the move. He consistently leads his receivers and places the ball where only they can catch it. Williams can challenge all three levels of the field. He’s shown some impressive layered throws over the middle of the field. He does have to put everything he has into his throws at times and has an elongated release, which could hurt him in pressure situations.
Tait Reynolds- 0.655 Star Rating- Queen Creek (AZ)
Reynolds completed 62% of his passes for 2,238 yards and a 22/5 TD/Int ratio. He added 1,426 rushing yards with 19 rushing touchdowns. He will also be a dual-sport athlete at Clemson, playing both baseball and football for the Tigers.
Reynolds is a fun player to watch, but the best part of his game currently is his rushing ability. As a passer, he can challenge all three levels of the field and doesn’t lose a ton of velocity on deep shots. He can challenge tight windows on short throws. His accuracy and ball placement aren’t ideal, and he has continued to struggle with them. Reynolds does show some pocket manipulation and plays tough for the position. While he could be an intriguing player at the college level, his skill set isn’t exactly suited for this type of competition.
Terry Walker III- N/A Star Rating- Hamilton Southeastern (IN)
Walker completed 46% of his passes in 10 games for 1,467 yards with a 17/3 TD/Int ratio. He added 400 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He has committed to the Duke Blue Devils.
Walker has a strong enough arm to make deep throws without losing much velocity. He can challenge tight window throws in the short area. He has a unique throwing motion, but he does seem to get the ball out quickly. His accuracy is flat-out bad. He can compete in some of the arm strength drills and does have the mobility to make plays if needed. When it comes to accuracy challenges, Walker will likely struggle.
Will Griffin- 0.458 Star Rating- Jesuit (FL)
Griffin led his team to the semi-finals in the Florida playoffs. He finished the season completing 65% of his passes for 2,213 yards with a 24/4 TD/Int ratio. He added 240 rushing yards with five touchdowns. He was invited to play in the Polynesian Bowl and the Under Armour All-American Bowl as a junior.
Griffin thrives in the pocket. He displays some of the best pocket manipulation in this class. He can step up, slide, and glide around, avoiding defenders before getting rid of the ball. He excels in the short/intermediate game with a quick release and fires with enough velocity to challenge tight windows. Griffin has the arm to challenge down the field but lacks the ball placement or accuracy to do so consistently. His ability to thrive in the pocket could make him an interesting name in the Elite 11 Finals, but a lack of consistency could hurt him.
The Elite 11 Finals run for three days in Los Angeles, California, from June 17-19. Make sure to stay tuned to Campus2Canton as we break down everything coming out of the event. With such an intriguing class, this competition could help separate some of these players and level out some tiers.
