Elite 11 Atlanta Showcases Quarterbacks from Coast to Coast
CARROLLTON, Ga. -- The biggest quarterback name at the Elite 11's first camp stop, Aaron McLaughlin, wrapped the Saturday event with an invitation to the Elite 11 Finals but it was far from the strongest story line emerging from the Atlanta event.
McLaughlin was as-advertised, tall and extremely athletic, commanding attention from start to finish on the afternoon. Fellow rising senior passers Jake Rubley, Carlos Del Rio, Trey Miles and many others gave the Peach State's top uncommitted quarterback a run for his money.
[Watch McLaughlin work at the Elite 11 Atlanta]
SI All-American was on hand for the beginning of the prestigious camp's 2020 tour with notes on top performers in the class of 2021, 2022 and 2023.
McLaughlin - It's exciting to see a prospect hyped up earlier the most, like McLaughlin was, live up to some of the way-too-soon build up a young quarterback in fertile recruiting areas can hold. Big and athletic, the senior-to-be does more than look the part and it's so evident in these longer, intense settings. The ball jumps out of McLaughlin's hands at all three levels and it looked just as powerful through his final passes of the day. He's like a workhorse pitcher still throwing his best fastball at top speed in the ninth inning, part of the reason Miami, Louisville, NC State, Maryland and several others remain in pursuit of a commitment.
Rubley - Should SIAA been the group selecting Elite 11 Finals invitations, the Kansas State commitment would have also picked up the good news as McLaughlin did. While Rubley's arm may not be as big as his counterparts', his short to immediate accuracy, timing and a quick, classic release point made the Colorado native maintain our attention throughout the four-plus hour showcase. The footwork and ability to make plays on the move boxes were also checked in the controlled, indoor setting. Rubley has the chance to be the guy early on at KSU.
Del Rio - It took the Florida Gator verbal commitment a few spins to get it going but he caught up to the other top prospects at the event in a hurry once he found a rhythm. Del Rio has an ideal frame and plays plenty athletic on Friday nights but it was his pocket passes that looked like his best work. When he sets his feet and throws with balance there weren't many who looked better on any given throw. There is snap movement skill with the Peach State passer but the ball just jumps off of his hands.
Miles - Most of the seniors on this list have plenty of scholarship offers and going off of the day's work alone, Miles would be among the assumed in similar position. The Alabamian isn't quite there yet on the trail entering his first year as 'the guy' for state power Central-Phenix City, but he seems on his way. Miles was smooth in the drills designed the make prospects look uncomfortable and threw with easy velocity and accuracy virtually every time up. The new age of college and NFL football, as it relates to smaller passers, shouldn't keep him away from the FBS ranks. Wake Forest is on board at this time.
Kaiya Sheron - Making the trip from Kentucky with an offer from the Wildcats in-tow, Sheron simply rips the football from the pocket. He's quicker than fast with good speed on his near-classic delivery to push the ball down the field and/or beyond the numbers.
Judah Holtzclaw - The Ohioan is a pure pocket passer with good fundamentals and feel for making plays short and long. He showcased some of the top anticipatory skills among seniors in the group, releasing the football well before targets were into their final break. With great touch to pair, there is a solid foundation in Holtzclaw's game.
Cortland Dicks - Armed with Ivy League opportunity already, the lefty picked up his game as the camp wore on. A Massachusetts native with good athleticism on Friday nights, Dicks won the 'rail shot' competition between the top rising senior passers to cap the event, edging Rubley in that portion of the process. Dicks began the afternoon somewhat inconsistent but saved his top tosses for when the pressure was on, always a good sign at the game's most important position.
Jarvis Evans - The Buford (Ga.) rising senior worked with the top quarterback group and held his own in the power and accuracy department. There is a longer build up to his delivery but it creates strong whip action to help him drive the football to all three levels of the defense. Add in that Evans stands a strong and filled out 6-foot-4 with some mobility and he makes for an intriguing follow the rest of the cycle. Maryland and Syracuse have offered.
2022 Jacurri Brown - Impressive frame, big arm, mobility and room to improve -- there won't be many college programs who stop by Voldosta (Ga.) Lowndes this spring and fail to offer the rising junior recruit. Brown, as seen in the above video, generates a lot of power without much effort out of an over the top release point. Brown has dual-threat ability and clocked a 4.6-second 40-yard dash Saturday, but he can fit into pocket-heavy systems if need be. Keep an eye on the Auburn Tigers early on although that offer list will continue to grow.
2022 Sam Horn - Long and athletic, Horn first caught our attention in catching passes thrown from other quarterbacks with great leaping ability and extension. But when it was his turn to spin it there was plenty to like of his own game. The Georgia native holds an early Appalachian State offer but solid touch and strong downfield ability could change that sooner rather than later.
2022 Henry Belin - The New Yorker's size catches your attention before you ever see him spin it but the velocity he can manufacture thereafter maintains that attention. Despite a lower than ideal arm angle, the rising junior features a quick trigger and the ability to make plays both in the pocket and while on the move. Employing more touch could begin to round out his game and maximize his recruitment. Belin, named a Golden Gun award winner following the event, holds offers from Syracuse and Pitt.
2022 Caleb Nix - The younger brother of Auburn quarterback Bo Nix, many eyes were on the young AU legacy and there is a foundation of skill there. As one may expect, his footwork and pocket presence is advanced for his age while his size and arm strength continues to come along.
2022 Avery Smith - He's not the biggest passer but the Atlanta (Ga.) Riverwood junior has a live arm and can make window throws on occasion. Western Kentucky has offered.
2022 JC French - The Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity passer has a nice combination of arm talent and athleticism on a new-age frame. Wake Forest, Akron and William and Mary are on the offer list early on.
2023 Raheim Jeter - The big, powerful South Carolinian makes onlookers mumble, "this kid's a freshman?" He looks like he is already on a college roster at 6-foot-3, 220-plus pounds and the rate at which the football travels towards the intended target is on par with the upperclassmen who shined Saturday. Consistency and some mechanical work will improve in the years to come but the scholarship offers won't stop rolling in here. Georgia, Auburn, Missouri, Memphis and others are already in for Jeter.
2023 Hayden Clark - The Golden Gun award winner from the rising sophomore class, Clark turned heads most within the younger group of passers in attendance. There is a comfort and ease to his game at a young age.
Brooks Austin contributed to this report. Read his work at BulldogMaven.com.
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