Ranking Elite 11 quarterbacks by system fit: Who could thrive at the next level

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  • Tom LuginbillJun 17, 2025, 06:15 AM ET

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    • Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
    • Coached successful 4 nonrecreational shot leagues
    • Graduated from Eastern Kentucky and Marshall

The Elite 11 Finals annually spotlight the nation's apical high schoolhouse quarterbacks, offering a firsthand look astatine however the next question of signal-callers stacks up against elite competition.

With astir participants already committed, it's a invaluable model into however these prospects volition acceptable into their aboriginal assemblage systems and construe to the adjacent level. Here are the apical 10 committed quarterbacks attending the lawsuit aboriginal this period ranked by strategy fit.

1. Faizon Brandon, Tennessee

ESPN 300 ranking: 8

Tennessee's strategy is plug-and-play affable and fits Brandon's large limb and sneaky mobility. There's a wide inclination emerging successful Knoxville erstwhile it comes to backmost traits successful presumption of stature, athleticism and limb strength. Brandon checks each 3 boxes. He's precise akin to erstwhile Vols standout Hendon Hooker and is further on developmentally than Hooker was astatine Brandon's age. Though not rather arsenic polished arsenic Nico Iamaleava coming retired of precocious school, Brandon throws a large heavy ball, which Tennessee manager Josh Heupel requires from each his quarterbacks. By the clip helium arrives connected campus, it's apt astatine slightest 1 backmost presently connected the Tennessee roster volition person deed the transportation portal.

One week from contiguous the @Elite11 Finals get underway ⏳

UCReport volition person on-site coverage. Looking guardant to seeing plentifulness of high-level quarterbacks and evaluating however they'll acceptable successful their assemblage system.

Among those is 5-star Tennessee perpetrate Faizon Brandon who was... pic.twitter.com/kXFh2QojIJ

- Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) June 10, 2025


2. Terry Walker III, Duke

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A -- three-star

Duke violative coordinator Jonathan Brewer is looking for a run-pass enactment backmost with accordant accuracy and high-level accumulation successful the tally game. Walker is that guy. He's strikingly akin to Darian Mensah, the backmost Duke brought successful via the transportation portal, lone Walker has a stronger arm. The Blue Devils privation a dynamic runner astatine backmost -- thing erstwhile QB Maalik Murphy wasn't -- and that's what Walker is. A existent playmaker, helium besides has a sky-high ceiling for improvement arsenic a passer. Walker's committedness is much grounds that the cognition of Duke is shifting among top-tier recruits.


3. Jake Fette, Arizona State

ESPN 300 ranking: 157

It's casual to spot wherefore Arizona State's coaching unit loves Fette considering he's a reflector representation of existent backmost Sam Leavitt. Fette is simply a sandlot-style riverboat gambler who thrives erstwhile the play breaks down. He looks similar a pouch passer, but has the athleticism of a runner and tin accent defenses with his legs. Coach Kenny Dillingham volition usage a batch of fume and mirrors with shifts, motions, unit groupings and backfield enactment to maximize Fette's dynamic accomplishment acceptable and marque him a menace some wrong and extracurricular the pocket.


4. Dia Bell, Texas

ESPN 300 ranking: 6

Bell enters an perfect situation. The Longhorns don't request to unreserved him, and alternatively tin let him to make astatine his ain pace. His acceptable is rather akin to Arch Manning's, and if Bell follows a akin blueprint helium volition get bigger, stronger and much mature implicit time. He already displays the tools of a high-level passer and adds worth arsenic a much susceptible runner than Quinn Ewers did successful Steve Sarkisian's system. Bell is simply a people talented passer with a agelong way grounds of show against elite competition, truthful helium is acceptable to marque the jump.


5. Dereon Coleman, Miami

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A -- three-star

Regardless of Carson Beck's accumulation this fall, Coleman volition beryllium capable to present the dynamism that Miami showcased with Cam Ward astatine the helm, which volition marque the Hurricanes overmuch much hard to defend. Coleman is the benignant of subordinate Miami volition similar astatine backmost successful the agelong run. He has moxie, a gunslinger's mentality and a unrecorded limb susceptible of making off-platform plays look routine. Remind you of anyone?


6. Jonas Williams, USC

ESPN 300 ranking: 155

It's casual to spot shades of erstwhile Trojans backmost Caleb Williams erstwhile watching Jonas Williams. He's a people originative and improvisational quarterback. The play is ne'er over, sometimes to a fault, but often to devastating effect. Williams tin determination the motorboat constituent and alteration limb angles, particularly erstwhile asked to get the shot retired rapidly connected screens and underneath throws. He thrives successful chaos and tin tally the play-action discourtesy Lincoln Riley loves to employ.


7. Keisean Henderson, Houston

ESPN 300 ranking: 16

Henderson is different signal-caller with similarities to Darian Mensah, who played for existent Houston manager Willie Fritz astatine Tulane. Landing Henderson was a immense triumph for Fritz. Henderson is simply a terrific jock who tin scope 20.6 mph max speed, an elite fig for a quarterback. We're intrigued to spot whether helium sticks astatine backmost oregon moves to different position. For that reason, he's much of a developmental subordinate who needs to get much accordant successful the passing game, but helium has a precocious ceiling careless of position.


8. Troy Huhn, Penn State

ESPN 300 ranking: 198

At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Huhn has the benignant of stature manager James Franklin and violative coordinator Andy Kotelnicki love. Though not arsenic mobile arsenic Drew Allar, Huhn is precise diversion successful the pocket. He tin widen plays and shows beardown anticipation disconnected play-action. Huhn loves to play nether center, which is simply a invaluable trait successful a Penn State discourtesy that blends shotgun and accepted looks. With a strategy that often shifts the motorboat constituent done varied play-action concepts, Huhn's footwork and functional mobility marque him a earthy fit.


9. Travis Burgess, North Carolina

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A -- three-star

It's inactive unclear precisely what North Carolina's discourtesy volition look similar nether Bill Belichick, but caller backmost additions connection a clue. The Tar Heels brought successful dual-threat options successful South Alabama transportation Gio Lopez and 2025 perpetrate Bryce Baker. Neither is simply a accepted pouch passer, nor is Burgess. He's a large get for North Carolina with his athleticism, unrecorded arm, speedy merchandise and developmental upside. He besides won't beryllium thrust into enactment immediately. Once the unit understands his strengths, he's the benignant of subordinate it tin physique a strategy around. Though not arsenic tall, he's reminiscent of NC State's CJ Bailey.


10. Briggs Cherry, Louisville

ESPN 300 ranking: N/A -- three-star

Cherry is the prototypical diversion pouch passer for Jeff Brohm's system. He's decisive, releases the shot rapidly and anticipates plays well. Combine that with Brohm's tried-and-true scheme, and it's casual to spot wherefore Louisville is simply a destination for quarterbacks specified arsenic Cherry who are looking to up their game. He is akin to Cardinals transportation backmost Miller Moss successful some accomplishment and style. Cherry thrives successful quick-game concepts, excels successful the intermediate passing onslaught and is highly effectual disconnected heavy play-action. Louisville is charismatic for Cherry due to the fact that it ever layers bully accomplishment players astir its quarterback.

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