Elite 11 Finals superlatives

Twenty of the 2023 cycle’s top signal callers were in Redondo Beach, California last week for the Elite 11 Finals. The three-day event wrapped up with 7-on-7 play on Thursday afternoon.

On3 released our Overall Top Performers from the event on Thursday evening, which considered the cumulative showing over the course of the three days at the Elite 11 Finals. The Elite 11 staff puts out their own ranking each day and named Jackson Arnold as the MVP, which they based off of “50% junior season film & performance/50% camp eval & physical traits” rather than solely on the three days of the Finals.  

Now that Elite 11 Finals is behind us, it’s time to hand out some superlatives from the week.

Complete Elite 11 Finals Roster | Day 1 Top Performers | Day 2 Top Performers | Day 3 Live Updates
Overall Top Performers

Best Arm Talent – JJ Kohl (Iowa State)

For the purposes of this exercise, we’ll define arm talent as an all-encompassing ability to throw the football, based on what we saw at the Elite 11 Finals. That includes release, ability to generate velocity, layering throws with touch and accuracy. JJ Kohl was the best in that regard over the course of the three days, highlighted by a dominant performance in 7-on-7. The Iowa State commit was 13 for 16 for a remarkable six touchdowns.

To be clear, this was not some kind of fluky, stat-padding performance. Kohl made the most impressive throws we saw all week. He showed a full catalog of throws to all areas of the field. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder has considerable arm strength, easily driving the football downfield on vertical shots. Kohl had one of the quickest releases on hand, even more notable as a taller quarterback. He threw with outstanding touch, dropping deep balls into small windows. We also saw Kohl attack the middle of the field. While many of the others were content in taking check-downs Kohl was taking aggressive, downfield shots and made it look easy. His ability to read leverage and naturally adjust to the increased speed was also highly encouraging.

What we saw in 7-on-7 was a continuation of what Kohl showed during the first two days. He as the On3 MVP on Day 1 and was No. 2 in the pro day portion on Day 2. JJ Kohl showed a complete passing skill set at the Elite 11 Finals.

Honorable mention: Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma)

Biggest Gunslinger – Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma)

The ball pops out of Jackson Arnold‘s hand. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has a quick release and generates palpable zip on the football. Arnold and Kohl looked like the closest two to the college counselors in that regard. The Oklahoma pledge is a grip-it-and-rip-it passer who is at his best when making throws that require velocity. There were times over the course of the week where wide receivers were startled by his passes. Arnold was at his best in drill work over the course of the week and looks to be an ideal fit in the veer and shoot offense.

Honorable mention: Marcus Stokes (Penn State)

Best Feet – Christopher Vizzina (Clemson)

Christopher Vizzina showed the best functional movement skills at the Elite 11 Finals. There are several other attendees who are great athletes, but nobody moved in a smoother and more fluid fashion. Vizzina has clean drops, using his short range explosiveness and coordination to throw on time and rhythm during his pro day session. We saw many others who play in shotgun offenses struggle a bit in their drops, but that wasn’t the case with Vizzina. He also showed the ability to quickly reset his feet and fire. What we saw at the Elite 11 Finals was a continuation of the movement skills Vizzina shows on Friday nights, where he has arguably the best pocket presence in the 2023 cycle. Vizzina would also be the choice if we had a “Most Scheme Versatile” superlative, as well.

Honorable mention: Rickie Collins (Purdue)

Most Accurate – Dante Moore

Events like the Elite 11 are tailor made for quarterbacks with Dante Moore‘s skill set. The Detroit Martin Luther King signal caller is a seasoned, natural passer. He is always under control and unbothered within his throwing motion. Moore’s arm dexterity allows for a quick release that he uses to his advantage, particularly in throwing short and intermediate passes. We’ve seen Moore pick apart defenses in 7-on-7 settings in the past and the Elite 11 Finals was no different. He completed 16 of 19 passes for four touchdowns and zero interceptions in 7-on-7 play on Thursday, getting the ball out quickly on most attempts.

Oregon, LSU, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Michigan are in the mix for Moore, who ranks as the top uncommitted quarterback in the cycle. The Ducks currently have the edge in his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Honorable mention: JJ Kohl (Iowa State)

Best Mechanics – Austin Novosad (Baylor)

It was apparent Austin Novosad was one of the more mechanically sound passers as early as the first workout. Novosad is a clean, pure thrower. There was very little variance in his throws. The ball came out of his hand cleanly all three days. The Dripping Springs (Texas) High passer threw arguably the tightest spiral of the group. Others may be more powerful or twitchy at this stage, but Novosad looked like a pure, natural passer.

Ohio State, Texas A&M and Georgia remain in pursuit of Novosad, who is evaluating his options (On3+).

Honorable mention: Dante Moore

Steady Hand – Malachi Nelson (USC)

Malachi Nelson didn’t wow on any one occasion, but was one of the more consistent performers over the course of the three days. The Five-Star Plus+ USC commit has one of the more polished passing skill sets on hand. Even when he’s not on his A-game, we see Nelson’s skill level shine through, pointing to a high floor as a prospect. Nelson was probably at his best during 7-on-7 play on Thursday, where he went 11 for 19 for three touchdowns.

Honorable mention: Kenny Minchey (Pitt)

Strongest Arm – Jaden Rashada (Miami)

The Elite 11 Finals was our second time seeing Jaden Rashada up close in June. There is zero question the new Miami commit has a huge arm. Rashada can effortlessly flick the ball 60-plus yards. He has a smooth, natural throwing motion and the ball pops out of his hand. Rashada continued to be up and down in terms of performance and consistency on a throw to throw basis. He will need continue improving his accuracy and feel for the game. With that said, his arm strength continued to jump out and gives him something to work with from a physical perspective.

Honorable mention: Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma)

College Size – Eli Holstein (Alabama)

Eli Holstein looked to be the closest to his college size of the Elite 11 Finals. The Crimson Tide commit looks to be around 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. He’s clearly spent time training and has filled out his big frame over the past year. That size, paired with his plus athleticism, makes Holstein a load to tackle when the pads come on. He rushed for 515 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior and should continue to pose a threat as a runner between the tackles at his size.

Honorable mention: Christopher Vizzina (Clemson)

Riser – Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson was arguably the best athlete on hand at the Elite 11 Finals. He’s well-established on that front. It’s Johnson’s continual improvement as a passer that has him tabbed as a riser coming out of the Elite 11 Finals. Th Maize (Kan.) High three-sport star more than held his own in the passing-only setting. Johnson has made marked improvement as a passer by tightening his throwing motion. The ball comes out of his hand differently than it did this time last year. Those improvements have allowed Johnson to unlock some velocity on his passes. The improved passing skill set along with his noted athleticism projects Johnson as a dangerous dual-threat option at the next level.

Honorable mention: JJ Kohl (Iowa State)

Developmental Upside – Brady Drogosh (Cincinnati)

Brady Drogosh entered the Elite 11 Finals with less polish and passing experience than most of the others on hand. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder may be earlier in his development, but has notable physical tools and upside. Drogosh has a big frame and hands and is one of the top rushing threats at quarterback in the cycle. He’s a smooth, twitchy athlete. It was encouraging to see Drogosh keep up with his more polished peers as a passer. There are certainly areas he’ll need to refine, but the size, athleticism and arm strength are there. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Drogosh make a leap once he gets on campus at Cincinnati.

Honorable mention: Zane Flores (Oklahoma State)

Gamer – Chris Parson (Florida State)

Chris Parson showed to be a high-energy competitor on more than one occasion at the Elite 11 Finals. The Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood signal caller won the hole shot competition on Tuesday night. While he struggled a bit during the pro day workout on Day 2, we saw a bounce back in 7-on-7. Parson turned in one of the better 7-on-7 sessions on Thursday, hitting 14 of 17 passes for three touchdowns. The Seminole commit elevated his game in competitive situations over the three days.

Honorable mention: JJ Kohl (Iowa State)