10 Names to Know from the 2016 Elite 11 QB Watch List
Annual Elite 11 action helps college football coaches and recruiting analysts evaluate the country's top quarterback prospects in a competitive environment. These premier high school passers may eventually evolve into stars at the university of their choice and, in some cases, beyond.
The folks at Student Sports released a "watch list" featuring quarterbacks in the 2017 class who've landed on Elite 11's national radar. The collection includes multiple committed athletes, while the vast majority remain undecided about their collegiate destination.
These talented juniors ultimately aim to join a prestigious group of Elite 11 alumni headlined by Andrew Luck, Jameis Winston and Matthew Stafford. From an early list of more than 90 names, here's a closer look at 10 compelling quarterbacks who could claim the spotlight next summer at Nike's world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
5-Star Shawn Robinson
1 of 10
High School: Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Size: 6'3", 207 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 dual-threat quarterback; No. 16 overall
Committed to TCU (June 26, 2015)
Shawn Robinson is the new star under center for Denton Guyer High School, where current Texas Longhorns quarterback Jerrod Heard wreaked havoc on opposing defenses. He's quickly developed his own reputation as a difference-maker, collecting more than 6,000 offensive yards and 67 total touchdowns during the past two seasons.
Robinson is averaging 114 rushing yards per game through four contests this fall, according to MaxPreps. He pledged to the Horned Frogs shortly after his sophomore year, selecting TCU from a list of suitors that includes UCLA, Michigan, Alabama and Oklahoma.
4-Star Jake Fromm
2 of 10
High School: Houston County (Warner Robins, Georgia)
Size: 6'3", 220 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 9 pro-style quarterback; No. 158 overall
Notable Offers: Ole Miss, Michigan State, Alabama and South Carolina
Jake Fromm spent his sophomore season torching defenses. He connected on 63 percent of pass attempts, per MaxPreps, resulting in 3,629 yards and 31 touchdowns.
His decision-making tendencies are impressive for a young quarterback who operates primarily in the pocket. Fromm threw for 41 scores and just nine interceptions in his past 18 starts.
A pair of SEC programs stand out among contenders at this stage.
"I would have to say that Ole Miss and Alabama are my top two," he told David Johnson of 247Sports during the final weekend of September.
4-Star Dylan McCaffrey
3 of 10High School: Valor Christian (Littleton, Colorado)
Size: 6'5", 200 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 pro-style quarterback; No. 79 overall
Notable Offers: Michigan, Duke, UCLA and Stanford
Many anticipate Dylan McCaffrey will follow family footsteps to Stanford, where his father (Ed) and brother (Christian) signed to play college football. Christian, a dynamic sophomore running back, would still be on campus as a senior when Dylan heads to college.
McCaffrey already displays desired physical stature and could end up settling at 6'6", 220 pounds by the time he takes a college snap. He delivers darts at Valor Christian High School, completing 61 percent of his passes for 3,291 yards and 28 touchdowns since 2014, per MaxPreps.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
5-Star Hunter Johnson
4 of 10
High School: Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Indiana)
Size: 6'3", 197 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 pro-style quarterback; No. 11 overall
Committed to: Tennessee (Aug. 23, 2015)
The heralded Hoosier prospect provided Tennessee with a pivotal recruiting boost before summer ended, choosing he Volunteers over Notre Dame, Stanford, NC State and others.
“I’ve been in contact with Tennessee for so long now, and I know so much about Tennessee, I didn’t see a reason why I wouldn’t commit,” Johnson told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. “That’s what I told my parents: Why wouldn’t I go here? I’ve always felt really, really comfortable with Tennessee.”
Johnson impressed during his sophomore camp circuit, flashing arguably the smoothest throwing motion in this recruiting cycle. He completed 54 percent of passes for 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns during the first five games of 2015, per MaxPreps.
4-Star Jake Allen
5 of 10High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Size: 6'3", 191 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 10 pro-style quarterback; No. 161 overall
Committed to: Florida (July 1, 2015)
Jake Allen orchestrates a star-studded St. Thomas Aquinas offensive attack, helping put the team in position to compete for national championship recognition. He competed 67 percent of passes through the first four games this season, per MaxPreps, collecting 628 yards and 11 touchdowns.
His mid-summer commitment to Florida represented a huge moment for Gators head coach Jim McElwain, who didn't sign a quarterback in the 2015 class. Allen pledged to Florida following campus visits to Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford.
"The biggest reason it's a dream offer for me is because my quarterback coach Eric Kresser—who played for the Gators—has been telling me since middle school that I was going to become the starting quarterback at the University of Florida someday," he told Bleacher Report.
4-Star Lowell Narcisse
6 of 10
High School: St. James (St. James, Louisiana)
Size: 6'3", 200 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 dual-threat
Committed to: Auburn (July 27, 2015)
Louisiana standout Lowell Narcisse won't play this season due to a knee injury, but he figures to be back in action by the time Elite 11 camps begin next year. The scintillating talent erupted for 4,526 total yards in 2014, per MaxPreps, scoring 18 times on the ground and tossing another 31 touchdowns.
Narcisse took center stage early, commanding collegiate interest with 88 offensive scores as an underclassman. His decision came down to SEC rivals LSU and Auburn.
“It was 51-49 (percent),” he told Rod Walker of the Advocate. “… It was very close. I am still an LSU fan until 2017 when I go to college. I think my best opportunity was to go to Auburn, though.”
4-Star Danny Clark
7 of 10
High School: Archbishop Hoban (Massillon, Ohio)
Size: 6'4", 223 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 12 pro-style quarterback; No. 240 overall
Committed to: Ohio State (Dec. 13, 2013)
The Buckeyes bagged a commitment from in-state prospect Danny Clark very early in the process, securing his pledge as a freshman. Now athletically matured and slightly more polished, Ohio State's initial investment seems solid.
Clark competed at the Elite 11 camp in Columbus earlier this year, setting the stage for him to make improvements and secure a spot in the national finals next summer by returning to his future campus for more action. He threw for 3,163 yards and 25 touchdowns as an underclassman, per Chris Easterling of FridayNightOhio.com.
The Ohio State quarterback depth chart is loaded with talent, beyond the big names who currently take snaps. Clark follows in line with a collection of young, physically impressive passers primed to learn from Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer.
5-Star Tate Martell
8 of 10High School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Size: 5'11", 180 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 dual-threat quarterback; No. 12 overall
Committed to: Texas A&M (Aug. 20, 2015)
Tate Martell chose the Aggies over fellow finalists Alabama, Michigan, USC and Washington before the start of his junior season. He's spent his entire high school career in the spotlight, initially pledging to Washington as an eighth-grader.
His sophomore season put him in national player of the year contention. Martell led Bishop Gorman to a No. 1 overall ranking, completing 62 percent of passes for 2,537 yards and 40 touchdowns in 2014.
Some see a little Johnny Manziel in his approach to the game, evidenced by 433 yards and five scores on the ground last fall. He feels more comfortable than ever right now, leading an absolute powerhouse.
"I have the ability to check into literally anything on any play, depending on which formation I want," Martell told Bleacher Report. "I can change our plan into something our opponent can't defend, based on defensive alignment and our reads. I'm at the point where we're running crossing stuff, full-field reads and more play action."
4-Star Bailey Hockman
9 of 10
High School: McEachern (Powder Spring, Georgia)
Size: 6'2", 210 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 pro-style quarterback; No. 45 overall
Committed to: Georgia (June 12, 2015)
The Bulldogs, already holding a commitment from 5-star 2016 passer Jacob Eason, further enhanced future offensive expectations when Bailey Hockman climbed on board. He carries serious 5-star potential and provided a major victory for Georgia's in-state recruiting efforts, turning down opportunities at Florida, Miami and Alabama, among others.
Hockman threw for 3,597 yards and 42 touchdowns last season as a sophomore, per Jeff Sentell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His ability to identify and exploit seams in different phases of the defense sets him apart from the majority of contemporaries, and he could eventually challenge Eason to become the Bulldogs' heir apparent at the position.
4-Star Tua Tagovailoa
10 of 10
High School: St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Size: 6'1", 190 lbs.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 dual-threat quarterback; No. 78 overall
Notable Offers: Nebraska, Arizona State, UCLA and USC
Expect the Marcus Mariota comparisons to come in bunches for Tua Tagovailoa, who attends the same high school that produced Oregon's Heisman Trophy winner. In fact, the Tennessee Titans rookie took Tagovailoa under his wing at an early age during camp.
"When I had no ride, Marcus would ask me if I wanted to grab a bite or something. He would take me to McDonald's just down the street," Tagovailoa told Andrew Nemec of the Oregonian. "He'd talk to me about how life is, my family, school. Marcus is a really social guy and he took the time."
The Ducks haven't extended an offer just yet, but one may not be far off. He tallied 3,160 total yards, 41 touchdowns and just three interceptions last season, per Nemac.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
