5 Top-Performing Quarterback Recruits from 2016 Columbus Elite 11 Regional
After weeks of working its way up the East Coast, Elite 11 action began to shift west Saturday with a showcase in Columbus, Ohio. With just three regional events remaining—Chicago, Oakland and Seattle—opportunities are dwindling for quarterbacks to claim a spot in national finals.
Minutes away from an Ohio State campus that's produced several star Buckeye passers, high school standouts battled for recognition in front of Elite 11 coaches. Instructor Matt James joined Bleacher Report to break down top performers from Columbus, where B/R was also in attendance during the action.
On a day that saw unrated prospect Drew Keszei set an Elite 11 record for highest SPARQ rating score (124.86) among quarterbacks based on combine-like testing, Penn State pledge Sean Clifford established himself atop the pack in passing drills. Here's a glimpse at five quarterbacks who particularly stood out to Columbus camp leaders and took part in "pressure chamber" sessions that concluded Saturday's competition.
MVP: 4-Star Sean Clifford
1 of 5High School: St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Size: 6'2", 203 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 10 pro-style quarterback; No. 211 overall
A steady rain began to fall just as Elite 11 coaches were making selections for final pressure chamber contenders, adding another dynamic to an event that already tests competitors' physical and mental makeup in a time-restricted setting. Operating against star-laden defensive looks, Sean Clifford didn't miss a beat.
He made strong throws seem relatively effortless throughout the afternoon, and that trend extended into his final series, as he stood above others who reached the pressure chamber by displaying accuracy and poise. Clifford, who committed to Penn State last summer, was the lone Columbus camper invited to compete at the Elite 11 national finals held in Redondo Beach, California, during the first week of June.
His junior season featured 1,178 passing yards and 10 touchdown tosses, according to Greg Pickel of PennLive.com. Since joining the Nittany Lions' 2017 class, Clifford has added scholarship offers from schools such as Syracuse, Rutgers and North Carolina.
James' Comments
"It was his to lose all day. He was very impressive in the pocket, and his drops were fluid, smooth. He can drive the ball down the field, and it spins out of his hands really nice. His game film showed some of his athleticism, but it was nice to see him get out of the pocket and make a few throws that impressed. He was on the top of our coaches' radars coming into this event and he didn't disappoint."
3-Star Tanner Morgan
2 of 5High School: Ryle (Union, Kentucky)
Size: 6'2", 204 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 45 pro-style quarterback; No. 1,035 overall
Considered one of the top 2017 prospects in Kentucky, Tanner Morgan put himself in contention for MVP honors Saturday and could ultimately become an underdog selection for national finals. That will likely depend on how Elite 11 coaches evaluate his contemporaries at upcoming camps, but he certainly stated a quality case in Columbus.
Morgan, who committed to Western Michigan in April, placed a vast majority of passes on the money and showed excellent range while targeting receivers on a variety of routes. He emerged as an early high school starter, tallying nearly 5,000 yards and 56 scores through the air as an underclassman.
His offer sheet also features Cincinnati, Louisville and Wake Forest.
James' Comments
"I'm a huge fan of Tanner Morgan. He was a competitor all day long and can make all the throws. His ball loses a little bit on the back end with deeper throws, but he was right there with [Sean Clifford]. He kind of reminds me a little of [2013 Elite 11 MVP] Sean White when it comes to his body frame and athleticism. He's not going to wow you, but he's the kind of kid who could go into the MAC (Mid-American Conference) and throw for 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. He did enough to solidly put himself on the big board (for national Elite 11 finals)."
3-Star Kyle Vantrease
3 of 5High School: Stow-Munroe Falls (Stow, Ohio)
Size: 6'3", 215 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 53 pro-style quarterback; No. 1,170 overall
Kyle Vantrease was among the most physically developed 2017 passers in attendance, and that translated into several powerful throws throughout the day. He didn't look out of his element while operating beyond the pocket, placing necessary touch on passes that required a little loft.
Momentum continues to develop in Vantrease's recruitment, as offers have arrived from Buffalo, Kent State, Cincinnati, Toledo, Miami (Ohio) and a few other mid-major programs. He threw for 2,100 yards in 2015, according to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, tossing 15 touchdowns and rushing for another 12 scores.
James' Comments
"Vantrease is a big, thick, solid kid. He's also more athletic than I think people give him credit for. On his game film, he's putting his shoulder down and running kids over. He's got a good frame and a strong, live arm. He was on everybody's top-five list in Columbus. Outside of [Sean Clifford and Tanner Morgan], he was probably the best of the rest."
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3-Star Caleb Martin
4 of 5High School: Fort Recovery (Fort Recovery, Ohio)
Size: 6'2", 190 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 60 pro-style quarterback; No. 1,409 overall
Along with Clifford and Vantrease, Caleb Martin represented his home state well in Columbus. Though he wasn't firing lasers, you could expect to see quality work when looking in his direction.
His precision appeared to improve as things progressed through drills and work against defensive coverage. It was also apparent he's put in work when it comes to following through upon release, as that element of his game was consistent.
Martin, who threw for 2,490 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior, committed to Toledo in March. He projects as a passer who can steadily orchestrate a collegiate offensive attack with improved arm strength and continued polish when it comes to lower-body fundamentals.
James' Comments
"Caleb had a solid all-around day. He did good in the individual drills, when we went into one-on-ones and when we went into the skelly period as well. He was consistent all day long, and that consistency was a big reason why some [coaches] wanted to put him in the final group. It wasn't enough to vault him to the top as an MVP guy, but he proved himself as a good, solid player."
2018 Coaches' Selection: 4-Star Phil Jurkovec
5 of 5High School: Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pennsylvania)
Size: 6'5", 190 lbs
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 dual-threat quarterback; No. 9 overall (strictly 247Sports' ranking)
Add Phil Jurkovec to an impressive 2018 crop of quarterbacks that already appears primed to surpass the 2017 class in terms of top-tier talent depth. Standing 6'5" at 16 years old, there's plenty of physical traits to suggest he should be among America's premier passers by the time his senior season approaches.
Still just a sophomore, Jurkovec claims offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Alabama. With some tall, young quarterbacks, coordination can be an issue, but that's far from the situation here.
Jurkovec moves extremely well for his size, rushing for 1,250 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall. He threw for 2,560 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2015, firing just four interceptions.
James' Comments
"He's got a frame that gives him a lot of room to grow. He has big hands. The ball comes slinging out of his hands. He's still learning but he can make all the throws downfield. Once he kind of gets some of the drills down and becomes more polished with his footwork, that's going to help his arm. He's got a lot of room to improve, and I think that ceiling is what makes him so high on people's boards. He'll be one of those guys battling for a spot [in the Elite 11 finals] next year for sure."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
