All eyes will be on the nation’s top prep quarterbacks this week as the Elite 11 Finals return. The invite-only event, which has served as a showcase in the past for dozens upon dozens of future NFL starters, will bring 20 signal-callers from around the country to Los Angeles for three days of competition where the cream should rise to the top.
This year’s roster has one notable omission as LSU commit Bryce Underwood, the consensus No. 1-ranked prospect in the class of 2025, will not be participating. Still, the group of finalists is a scout’s dream with 14 of the 17 quarterbacks currently ranked inside the Top247 expected to go through the ringer. That includes four five-stars and nine of the top 10-ranked passers.
Action gets underway Tuesday (June 18) night with opening drills at Mira Costa High in Manhattan Beach. It continues Wednesday evening with a pro day and accuracy challenge before things wrap up Thursday afternoon with the presentation of the final Elite 11 rankings and the coveted title of Elite 11 MVP. Here’s who we handicap the as the favorites to finish near the top of the Elite 11 QB rankings, along with other challengers and some dark horse bets. For the latest recruiting intel on each elite quarterback, check out Monday’s scoop primer from 247Sports’ Tom Loy.
THE FAVORITES
Underwood isn’t the first high-profile quarterback in recent years to skip the Elite 11 Finals as Arch Manning (Texas), Nico Iamalaeva (Tennessee) and DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson, Oregon State, Florida State) all passed on the competition in advance of their senior seasons. However, his absence leads to plenty of debate as to who exactly should be considered the favorite heading into the week.
Ohio State commit Tavien St. Clair has been a major riser in the rankings over the past year and arrives as the No. 2-ranked overall prospect in the class. He’s got a franchise-worthy frame (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and in our eyes had one of the best workouts on the Elite 11 regional tour. A former baseball-focused athlete, St. Clair owns a smooth stroke and has proven to be rather accurate on the run.
USC commit Julian Lewis ranks as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 16 recruit in the Top247. He’s the youngest participant in the field after deciding to reclassify and skip a year of high school. Lewis might be on the smaller side compared to others, but he’s one of the better pure distributors of the football that we have seen in recent cycles and can manipulate defenses with his eyes.
Not many can create as much torque as Texas A&M commit Husan Longstreet, who might have the strongest arm in the class. The No. 4 quarterback and No. 28 overall prospect hasn’t been the most consistent passer in camp settings, but he’s a dynamic mover under the lights that can beat defenses with both his arm and legs.
Tennessee commit George MacIntrye is the fourth and final five-star set to compete, checking in as the No. 5 quarterback and No. 30 overall. He won just two games as a junior and has struggled at various points this spring with his ball placement, but he’s got the height that everyone covets at the position (over 6-foot-5) and can attack vertically, utilizing touch and trajectory.
THE CHALLENGERS
There might only be five quarterbacks who currently hold five-star status, but there are a handful more that are knocking on the door. The all-important senior seasons will play a large role in who ultimately slots where once the rankings finalize, but a strong showing in Los Angeles could push a few arms up the board.
