Top 5 Quarterback Recruit Performances from 2016 Oakland Elite 11 Regional

EL SOBRANTE, Cal. — There was plenty of anticipation in the air for the group of quarterbacks assembled to compete at the Oakland Elite 11 Regional.

That’s because it included field generals who have already committed to schools such as Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan and Washington State.

Additionally, four 4-star prospects and a 5-star talent served as the group’s headliners.

With four prospects earning invites to next month’s Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles, it’s safe to say the group lived up to expectations.

Yogi Roth, who works as an analyst for the Pac-12 Network and doubles as one of the quarterback coaches on the Elite 11 staff, noted that the Bay Area has traditionally produced its share of top-flight passers, and this year’s group strengthened that pipeline. 

“[The quarterback field] was loaded. Northern California traditionally is, and it’s been that way since my first year being involved with this camp and even in Trent’s first year,” Roth told Bleacher Report. “These guys made each other better. You’d see Jack Sears make a throw, and then Tua Tagovailoa would go right behind him and fire a dime. Everybody just kept raising their game all day. Those top guys just kept firing, and it was cool to see them rise to the occasion.” 

Indeed, both Sears and Tagovailoa punched their tickets to Los Angeles for the finals.

They will be joined in Southern California by one elite talent and a relative unknown in recruiting circles. 

Which quarterbacks stood out among the decorated segment of field generals assembled in Oakland?

Let’s take a look at the top five QB performers from the Oakland Elite 11 regional.

5. 3-Star Connor Neville

One player very familiar with competing in Elite 11 regionals is 3-star Washington State commit Connor Neville.

The 6’2”, 183-pounder has competed in a handful of Elite 11 camps in recent years and put forth a strong effort in his latest showing. 

Neville was one of the six passers chosen for the Pressure Chamber finale, and he completed three of his five passes going against the best linebackers and defensive backs in attendance. 

He started off hot and weathered a period of struggle in the middle portion of the camp before finishing on a high note. His ball placement and timing of throws were mostly on point, which makes him an intriguing fit in the spread attack of Cougars head coach Mike Leach.

Yogi’s Breakdown: “I love Connor Neville. His passion for the Elite 11 is infectious to the staff. He’s been around this process for a long time, and he used to come to this event as a kid. He’s a football junkie. He had his most consistent day of the three or four years he’s come out to compete.

"The challenge for him on a day like today is that the other four guys were just a hair more consistent than he was all day long. When you get to this level, the top 20 or so quarterbacks in the country, it’s the little things that separate you. He finished strong in the Pressure Chamber, which is a great sign.”

4. 4-Star Tua Tagovailoa

The margins between the top four passers in this event were razor thin, and more proof of how deep the field was.

When he was on, no passer seemed to have more highlight-caliber passes than Tagovailoa—who committed to Alabama earlier this month.

In terms of arm strength, he and 4-star Arizona State pledge Ryan Kelley seemed to be a few levels above the rest of the pack. One area that separates Tagovailoa from the field is his comfort level throwing on the run, which he showcased early in drills.

Overall, he showed off a live arm, the ability to fit passes into tight windows and progression in his game as a passer.

Yogi’s Breakdown: “He’s done a great job since we saw him last year. He’s a dynamic athlete, and you see that on tape. He’s a special kid, and you fall in love with his personality also. He’s a great fit for Alabama in terms of his discipline, pedigree and respect and love for the game.

"He’s grown leaps and bounds as a passer. This kid can throw. He has some things he needs to work on, and he knows that. He’s dynamic and special going to his left. He’s going to have to work on going to his right.

"He will have the right mentality going into the Finals. He’s going there to compete. He’s got 'special' written all over him when you combine his work ethic, attitude and traits.”

3. 5-Star Dylan McCaffrey

One player most fans and recruiting analysts in attendance were anxious to see was 5-star Michigan commit Dylan McCaffrey.

The younger brother of Stanford All-American running back Christian McCaffrey entered the event rated as the nation’s top pro-style passer and the No. 19 player overall in the 2017 class.

From the outset, McCaffrey was on point in terms of accuracy and a fluid throwing motion.

Simply put, he didn’t do anything to question his standing as one of the elite passers in the 2017 cycle.

“I feel like I did pretty well. Of course, I think there are a lot of areas for improvement,” McCaffrey told Bleacher Report. “One of the things I did pretty well was just taking the coaching I was getting. When they told me something to work on, I did my best to change it, and I think that helped me.”

He completed four of his five reps in the Pressure Chamber, including a beautiful corner route to 4-star tight end Josh Falo on his last rep that elicited praise from the coaching staff.

Yogi’s Breakdown: “When I talked to Dylan when he was a kid, he didn’t know if he loved football. He thought his family would push sports on him, and they didn’t. They allowed him to fall in love with the game. He’s got that competitive temperament necessary to thrive at that position.

"Out of the entire country, he may be the best in space. He can do so many special things with the ball in his hands. I think he’s going to have prolific college career. His ceiling is so high. He’s got such natural, raw talent. We saw flashes of that today with his accuracy and touch.”

2. 3-Star Jake Haener

While most people knew who the other passers on this list were, few were expecting 3-star Jake Haener to be standing among the final six passers in the Pressure Chamber event.

Still, the 6’0”, 180-pounder entered the day with plenty of confidence in his abilities.

“I just wanted to do the best I could. I knew that if I come in and throw the ball the way I know I can throw it, it’s up there with the top guys in the country,” Haener said. “I’m not scared of competing with them. They are all great guys. I’m just glad I performed well.”

He turned in a performance that was among the most consistent of any passer in attendance.

In terms of accuracy and ball placement, Haener was outstanding all day long. He completed three of his five passes in the Pressure Chamber—with one miss coming after a receiver ran the wrong route and an interception off a tipped ball.

Overall, his body of work was strong enough to catch the attention of the staff and hold it enough to land a spot in the finals next month. 

Yogi’s Breakdown: “He’s a guy with seven offers, and none out of the Power Five. He’s a guy who has had that chip on his shoulder since his freshman year.

"He came out today, and Coach Dilfer called out a couple of guys to start. He said, ‘Jake, you’re one of the best guys I’ve seen on film in five or six years of doing this, but can you do it today and commit to developing your body?’ He’s not the thickest or strongest of guys, but he can do one thing that is critical and necessary: He can hit spots. He can hit any spot in the passing tree on rhythm with timing and even when it’s chaotic. He did it all day long. He dropped dimes from the first throw to the last.”

1. 4-Star Jack Sears

After an average showing in the Los Angeles Elite 11 regional back in February, Sears went back to the drawing board in anticipation for a second chance in the Bay Area.

Considering that he collected MVP honors and the coveted Elite 11 invite, he accomplished his mission in resounding fashion.

“It felt good. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to make it out to the Elite 11,” Sears said. “I didn’t get it in L.A., so I was determined to go back and work hard to make it out here. I’m just happy I came out here and competed the way I did. To get that invite here is huge.”

From the beginning, Sears was in command and firing on all cylinders with his mechanics, accuracy and touch. His beautiful wheel route throw to 5-star running back and Alabama pledge Najee Harris highlighted his showing in the Pressure Chamber, where he completed three of his five passes.

Sears is one of the few top-flight quarterbacks who has yet to make a commitment. His recruitment has taken off since late January, as he’s landed more than 20 offers in that time period.

His performance on Sunday is an example of why he may be the nation’s hottest quarterback prospect in the 2017 class. 

Yogi’s Breakdown: “Love him. I’ve known Jack for a couple of years. I remember in Northern California two years ago when Sam [Darnold] came out. I’d heard about [Jack] and talked to his coach. I just had this vibe when he came on all of a sudden, and it’s like, ‘Does he kind of look like what Andrew Luck looked like?’ He has such a wide base, such a great arm and he’s a great athlete.

"You hear the stories on Jack and his athleticism and how he may be a better athlete than Sam, and your ears immediately perk up. I thought he was on fire from the start. He came out today, and I haven’t seen every kid in America, but going into the finals in L.A., if he plays like he did today, he’s a top-five guy in the country.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani