Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch
At Elite 11, Penn State Commit Ethan Grunkemeyer Charts a New Trajectory
The Elite 11 Finals can send young quarterbacks on a star-making trajectory, considering 12 of the last 13 quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy are Elite 11 alumni. Penn State commit Ethan Grunkemeyer delivered a potential star turn at the 2023 Elite 11 Finals in California, sending him back to Ohio with big expectations for his senior year.
Grunkemeyer was named to the Elite 11 following three days of competition against 19 of the nation's top quarterback prospects. His performance across a variety of skills competitions made Grunkemeyer, a member of Penn State's 2024 recruiting class, a quarterback to watch nationally this fall.
Grunkemeyer (6-2, 190 pounds) arrived at Elite 11 as a 3-star recruit from Columbus, Ohio, looking to generate a higher national profile. He left having done that. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman called Grunkemeyer "a pretty twitchy athlete" who ran a strong 40 time and threw the ball well. Fox Sports' Michael Cohen said that Grunkemeyer proved to be an "unexpected standout" at Elite 11 whose "stock will certainly rise" following the event. And according to On3, Grunkemeyer finished behind only Julian Sayin (an Alabama commit) and Dylan Raiola (a Georgia commit) at the competition.
Grunkemeyer, who committed to Penn State in May, is riding a similar career arc as current Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Both are students of Ohio quarterbacks guru Brad Maendler and were early targets of Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, who certainly knows what he wants in a quarterback. As a junior at Olentangy High near Columbus, Grunkemeyer threw for 2,649 yards last season. He also received recent offers from Virginia, Indiana and Minnesota and could begin drawing more. Grunkemeyer has been strongly committed to Penn State.
Here's a look at some of Grunkemeyer's work at Elite 11.
More on Penn State
Penn State Basketball on SI.com
How Penn State handles college football's busiest recruiting month
Why Penn State having no Big Ten rivalry games might be a good thing for the Lions
Penn State's future football schedules will include no protected rivals
Why Penn State going unrivaled in the Big Ten is good for the program
Penn State's top two collectives merge to form Happy Valley United
Penn State basketball lands ninth transfer and second from North Carolina
Why James Franklin tells some prospects not to commit
Penn State lands three 2024 commitments on one hectic Sunday
Penn State continues recruiting surge in Florida
Penn State to honor Wally Triplett with new Brand Academy
Quarterback Drew Allar heads to Manning Passing Academy
Penn State offers Virginia offensive lineman, Class of 2028
For Penn State, a hospital visits lifts players from their 'football bubble'
Penn State announces four more kickoff times, including one on the Peacock streaming service
A future Penn State receiver is Pennsylvania's fastest sprinter
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
