The ultimate high school quarterback showcase is upon us. Every year, the nation’s most highly-touted quarterbacks gather to compete in the Elite 11. Some will tell you that events such as this don’t matter. Compared to the overall film and evaluation, that’s true. But the list of former Elite 11 MVPs is proof of the talent you must possess to win this event. Players such as Dia Bell, Keelon Russell, Julian Sayin, Caleb Williams, CJ Stroud, and Tua Tagovailoa are prime examples. Some of college football’s best quarterbacks in recent years have won this competition.
So, who are the top-ranked prospects attending this year’s competition?
Elijah Haven
Haven is the #1 overall QB according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. In 2025, Haven amassed 4,725 total yards and 73 total TDs, posting one of the more impressive seasons in recent memory. He stands approximately 6’5 and 220 pounds, standing out from his peers everywhere. Haven’s dual-threat abilities at his immense size place him firmly at the #1 spot in consensus recruiting rankings.
Haven’s throwing motion isn’t comparable to most quarterbacks of his stature. Most large quarterbacks have long motions, big arms, and low accuracy. Haven is the opposite. His motion is short, and his accuracy is superb, completing 72.3% of his passes. His arm, while strong, isn’t jaw-dropping like most large quarterbacks. The challenging part of evaluating Haven is his level of competition, as he plays in 2A Louisiana. College football coaches are aware that Haven might take two full years to develop into a high-level starter.
Israel Abrams
Abrams is the #2 QB in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Abrams is another physically-promising QB. Standing around 6’4.5 and 190 pounds, Abrams has the frame to become a 220-pound QB once he finds a college weight room. In 2025, Abrams threw for 4,072 yards and 40 TDs, winning the MaxPreps Illinois Player of the Year.
Abrams is the type of QB who should excel in this competition. His game relies on his ability to throw the ball to various parts of the field, as he relies very little on running. Abrams is currently set to follow a QB very much in his mold, as he’s committed to play his college football at Miami after Darian Mensah.
Will Mencl
Ranked as the #3 QB, Mencl is the prototype of a well-rounded prospect. He threw for 3,815 yards and 33 TDs, ran for 741 yards and 17 TDs, while completing 70% of his passes. Also, Mencl is 6’3 and weighs a little over 200 pounds. Mencl led his team to an Arizona state title game. While he can stand and throw from the pocket, Mencl excels when he’s able to escape. His ability to throw on the run keeps defenses from crashing toward the line when he takes off from the pocket.
Committed to Oregon, Mencl is a perfect system fit. He can push the ball down the field when asked, but his strengths are showcased in the short to intermediate game. His style should bode well in this event and in the highest levels of college football.
Kavian Bryant
Ranked as the #4 QB, Bryant was once the top-ranked QB in this class. His dual-threat abilities caught the eyes of the scouting industry very quickly. He dominated in the state of Texas as early as his freshman year, when he threw for 2,282 yards and ran for 740 yards. He’s only improved since then, posting 4,147 total yards and 44 TDs as a junior.
Believe it or not, the biggest threat to Bryant’s college football career is his basketball career. Over his sophomore and junior seasons, Bryant has averaged 28 PPG and led his team to a 29-3 record last season. Bryant has been offered by Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech as a combo guard.
Jake Nawrot
Ranked as the #5 QB, Nawrot is one of the fastest-rising players in the country. In December, Nawrot was ranked #370 overall. He now sits at #62. Kentucky head coach Will Stein will need to fight off every top program in college football for Nawrot now that he’s been discovered.
In his first year as a starter, Nawrot posted a jaw-dropping stat line for a first-timer. He threw for 3,078 yards, 41 TDs, and just 2 INTs, while completing 71% of his passes. Nawrot has a great frame at 6’4 200 pounds, and possesses a big arm. Despite being a raw prospect with limited starts, Nawrot has great control of arm strength, hence the high completion percentage.
Other Top Prospects
Trae Taylor, #6 QB
Peter Bourque, #7 QB
Peyton Houston, #8 QB
Davin Davidson, #9 QB
Kamden Lopati, #10 QB
Keegan Croucher, #13 QB
Colton Nussmeier, #16 QB
Kharim Hughley, #17 QB
Brady Edmunds, #18 QB
Trent Seaborn, #20 QB
Dane Weber, #29 QB
Braylen Warren, #32 QB
Jameson Purcell, #33 QB
Ty Knutson, #34 QB
Ryan Rakowski, #53 QB
Predictions
Biggest Riser: Brady Edmunds
Edmunds showcases a surprising amount of accuracy for a 6’5 QB. He throws an accurate, high-arcing deep ball and possesses the ability to layer passes on multiple levels. He throws with accuracy from inside and outside the pocket. Having won the starting job as a true freshman, Edmunds already has three years of starting experience. I expect him to be one of the smarter quarterbacks at the event. I expect this competition to jumpstart Edmunds’ leap into the top-10 QBs.
Biggest Loser: Kharim Hughley
Hughley’s weakness is the easy throws. His athleticism shines during the game when he’s asked to create, but his inability to consistently hit easy throws is noticeable. This weakness will be magnified in a competition that’s all about throwing on multiple levels. Normally backed by an elite roster at Gainesville High School, Hughley will be on his own in this competition.
Elite 11 MVP: Jake Nawrot
Nawrot possesses my favorite blend of arm strength and accuracy in this class. A first-year starter already completing 71% of his passes is a sign of a player who possesses elite accuracy and the natural ability to read defenses. Nawrot’s main competition will be Elijah Haven and Will Mencl, but Nawrot’s arm talent makes him an early favorite.
