Elite 11 Finals: Day 1 Top Performers

LOS ANGELES — Twenty of the 2025 cycle’s top signal callers are in Southern California this week for the Elite 11 Finals, which kicked off on Tuesday night. As has been the case in past years, the first day of the three-day event featured drill work, with the quarterbacks separated into four groups and working through different stations.

The setting allows for a direct side-by-side comparison of the majority of the cycle’s top passers. We’re able to get a sense for some of the physical tools, passing ability and level of development of the participants. This order is based solely on the performances from Wednesday night. We place an emphasis on the ability to make high-level throws and consistency on a pass-to-pass basis along with the overall physical skill set in this setting.

Complete Elite 11 Finals Roster | Day 1 Live Updates

On3 MVP: Husan Longstreet — Texas A&M

Husan Longstreet had an outstanding Day One at the Elite 11 FInals. The Texas A&M commit entered the event with the reputation of one of the strongest arms in the 2025 cycle and more than lived up to that billing.

For starters, the ball simply jumps out of Longstreet’s hand. He has palpable velocity on his passes. The ball cuts through the air. Longstreet generates a bunch of torque through his core and is able to easily create force, allowing for considerable RPMs on his throws.

Coming into the week, we were eager to see his touch and his ability to layer throws. Longstreet looked good in that regard on Day One and was improved since the regional back in March. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder threw with good location and was able to deliver with accuracy and timing throughout the workout. Longstreet won the Rail Shot challenge towards the end of the event in which the quarterbacks all throw a small-window throw down the back side. We also saw the ability to manipulate his arm angles and throw off-platform and just had a very strong day overall. The impressive day came in spite of a foot injury. Longstreet’s explosive arm talent and improved touch made him an easy choice for On3 MVP on Tuesday evening.

2. Tavien St. Clair – Ohio State

Tavien St. Clair looked like the most accurate quarterback on hand throughout Day One at the Elite 11 Finals. The Buckeye pledge lived up to our expectations in this on-air environment, impressing with his smooth, replicable throwing motion. St. Clair dotted his throws for much of the evening. We noticed that receivers did not have to break stride, with many of the throws being right on their face. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, St. Clair is also one of the more physically imposing signal callers on hand. In a workout that can highlight deficiencies in a quarterback’s game as a passer, there wasn’t much to critique with the Ohio native.

3. Keelon Russell – Alabama

Keelon Russell showed a live arm and bouncy movement skills on Day One of the Elite 11 Finals. Russell’s arm stacked up well within the group. He was able to generate velocity on his passes and drive the ball to the far hash with ease. The Duncanville (Texas) High signal caller consistently spun the ball well and displayed noticeable twitch throughout the workout. Russell can continue improving the refinement in his drops as he mainly operates out of the shotgun at the high school level, but the movement skills point to room for growth in that regard. Russell seemed to get better and better over the course of the night and goes into Day Two with positive momentum.

4. Deuce Knight – Notre Dame

On a field alongside the majority of the top quarterbacks in the cycle, Deuce Knight‘s physical talent popped. The 6-foot-4.5, 208-pounder showed one of the strongest arms on hand. Knight was able to generate velocity without strain. The ball came out of his hand cleanly with zip. This was the most comfortable we’ve seen the Irish commit look in a camp setting to this point. While there were some misfires from time to time, the improvement Knight has made since February is easily noticeable. He’s arguably the top athlete at the position in the 2025 cycle and looks to be ascending as a passer. The next two days will be provide another telling litmus test.

5. Tramell Jones – Florida State

Tramell Jones showcased one of the tightest and smoothest throwing motions on Day One at the Elite 11 Finals. The Florida State commit was incredibly consistent, consistently delivering accurate, well-placed throws over the course of the workout. We didn’t see many errant passes from the 6-foot, 195-pounder. In an environment that plays to his strengths, Jones was one of the more steady performers. He might not blow you away with ‘wow’ throws, but the consistent accuracy and repeatable mechanics stood out.

6. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is one of two uncommitted prospects on hand at the Elite 11 Finals and had a very positive showing on Tuesday evening. The Hawaii native flashed one of the stronger arms on hand, easily generating velocity on downfield and far hash throws. Sagapolutele was one of the co-winners of the Rail Shot challenge at the end of the workout along with Husan Longstreet, showing the ability to repeatedly drive the ball into a small windows downfield. The southpaw has taken official visits to Utah State and Boise State and is set to trip to Cal this weekend.

7. Luke Nickel – Miami

Luke Nickel displayed some of the better mechanics of the group. The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pounder is a smooth, refined passer. Nickel gets the ball up and out quickly. He also moved well and fluidly despite fighting through an ankle injury. The Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton standout was polished in his drops and was able to play with a noticeable pace and tempo that translates to live action on Friday nights.

8. Bryce Baker – North Carolina

Bryce Baker showed high-end physical tools on Tuesday evening. The 6-foot-2.25, 200-pounder showed a live arm. The ball jumped out of Baker’s hand, particularly early on in the workout. Baker got off to a strong start, throwing a tight spiral with RPMs in initial drill work. While he cooled down a bit towards the end, he showed the ability to take coaching and correct mistakes.

9. Matt Zollers – Missouri

Matt Zollers showed his live, loose arm. The Pennsylvania native is fluid and was among the better movers on hand. Zollers had a number of strong throws and is able to easily drive the ball downfield without strain. The 6-foot-3.5, 203-pounder can continue polishing his consistency in spinning the ball on a throw-to-throw basis. We’re eager to see how Zollers performs the rest of the week as he continues settling in.

10. Julian Lewis – USC

Julian Lewis was consistent with his mechanics over the course of the workout. The 6-foot, 186-pounder was at his best in working to the short and intermediate areas of the field. Lewis showed more urgency in his footwork than in the regional. The Peach State passer is more of a cerebral distributor at the position rather than a toolsy, top physical talent. Wednesday’s Pro Day and the 7-on-7 session on Thursday should cater to his strengths.

11. Alex Manske – Iowa State

Alex Manske impressed with his ability to consistently deliver with zip. The Iowa State pledge showed a whippy motion and was natural in throwing from different arm slots. Manske is a flexible athlete who moves with twitch. He had some hot streaks on Tuesday evening and showed why he was coveted by many college programs prior to his commitment to the Cyclones.

Additional notes on Elite 11 Finalists

+ Oklahoma commit Kevin Sperry showed a tight throwing motion and good movement skills. We liked his ability to get the ball out quickly and get to depth in his drops.

+ Texas commit K.J. Lacey had a solid workout. Lacey spun the ball well and generally threw with good accuracy over the course of the evening.

+ TCU commit Ty Hawkins showed explosive lateral agility along with a live arm. He wasn’t always the most consistent of the bunch, but the pure physical tools checked out.

+ Robert McDaniel was a late addition to the Elite 11 Finals, following an injury to Tennessee commit George MacIntyre. The Arizona commit proved he belonged with a solid workout on Tuesday.

+ Mississippi State commit KaMario Taylor is undoubtedly one of the top physical talents on hand. Taylor is a ‘first off the bus’ type within this group. He has one of the more naturally strong arms of the group in addition to high-end athleticism. With that said, he wasn’t the most consistent on Tuesday and had some issues with timing. When Taylor’s throws clicked, it was as good as anything we saw – but he needs to reduce the volatility from throw to throw.

+ Georgia commit Ryan Montgomery has good size and was refined in his drops. Some of the moving parts in his throwing motion resulted in ups and downs throughout the workout.

+ Oregon commit Akili Smith Jr. was at his best during the Rail Shot challenge, delivering some well placed throws. Smith can continue working on his accuracy.

+ Nebraska commit TJ Lateef threw with solid zip throughout the evening. He can continue working on his agility and movement skills.

+ Malik Washington is one of several big athletes on hand within this group. The Maryland native moved well and showed a good arm.