Breaking down the top contenders for the nation's top high school quarterback competition.
Some of the nation's top high school quarterbacks will get their opportunity on a national stage starting Saturday at Nike's The Opening. Through regional competitions, the field of quarterbacks has been narrowed to 18 who will compete to become part of the prestigious Elite 11.
During the week-long event, high school quarterbacks will receive instruction from former Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer and other coaches, and will be put through various physical and mental drills.
At the end of the week, the cream of the crop will be selected as the Elite 11 — a group whose alumni includes Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford and Jameis Winston, among many others.
Here we present video highlights of all 18 of the finalists, in alphabetical order.
Blake Barnett, Santiago (Corona, Calif.)Size: 6-foot-4, 190 pounds
College: Alabama
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 dual-threat QB
Now an Alabama commit after previously being committed to Notre Dame, Barnett's stock has soared over the last six months.{PAGEBREAK}
Ross Bowers, Bothell (Wash.)Size: 6-2, 180
College: Undecided (
247Sports Crystal Ball predicts Cal)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 38 Pro-Style QB
Bowers will be a third-year starter for Bothell, which is coming off a 9-3 season.{PAGEBREAK}
Ryan Brand, University of Detroit Jesuit (Detroit)Size: 5-10, 190
College: Undecided (
247Sports Crystall Ball predicts Air Force)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 52 Dual-Threat QB
The uncommitted recruit from the Motor City will look to prove that, despite his size, he deserves to be ranked among the nation's best.{PAGEBREAK}
Sam Darnold, San Clemente (Calif.)Size: 6-4, 209
College: Undecided (
247Sports Crystall Ball predicts USC)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 14 Dual-Threat QB
After fracturing his foot and missing most of his junior season, Darnold is now one of the hottest names on the recruiting trail heading into his senior season.{PAGEBREAK}
Deondre Francois, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)Size: 6-3, 211
College: Undecided (
247Sports Crystall Ball predicts Florida State)
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 6 Dual-Threat QB
After transferring into IMG Academy, Francois will now be under the tutelage of a man who knows a thing or two about the quarterback position: Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.{PAGEBREAK}
Ben Hicks, Midway (Waco, Texas)Size: 6-2, 192
College: Houston
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 49 Pro-Style QB
Hicks will stay in-state and play for Houston. He torched defenses to the tune of 3,741 yards and 36 touchdowns a year ago.{PAGEBREAK}
De'Andre Johnson, First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.)Size: 6-1, 190
College: Florida State
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 13 Dual-Threat QB
Johnson led First Coast to the Class 7A title game as only a freshman. The Florida State commit looks to return there this fall.{PAGEBREAK}
Sheriron Jones, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.)Size: 6-3, 184
College: Florida
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 7 Dual-Threat QB
Like former Rancho Verde star Ronald Powell, Jones will head east for college and attend Florida.{PAGEBREAK}
Brian Lewerke, Pinnacle (Phoenix)Size: 6-2, 184
College: Michigan State
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 16 Pro-Style QB
As a junior, Lewerke tossed for 2,780 yards and 33 scores. Michigan State fans are excited to get him in East Lansing.{PAGEBREAK}
Drew Lock, Lee's Summit (Mo.)Size: 6-4, 201
College: Missouri
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 Pro-Style QB
Lock threw for four or more touchdowns five times in just 12 games last season, twice tossing seven scores in a single game.{PAGEBREAK}
Alex Malzone, Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.)Size: 6-2, 200
College: Michigan
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 10 Pro-Style QB
On his way to Michigan, Malzone runs the offense for Brother Rice, perhaps the state's top team this season. He also had a hand in
one the wildest plays of last season.{PAGEBREAK}
Kyler Murray, Allen (Texas)Size: 5-11, 173
College: Texas A&M
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 Dual-Threat QB
We've about run out of superlatives for the reigning
MaxPreps National Football Player of the Year, who is committed to Texas A&M.{PAGEBREAK}
Josh Rosen, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)Size: 6-4, 205
College: UCLA
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 1 Pro-Style QB
The UCLA-bound Rosen helped St. John Bosco to one of the greatest seasons in California history last year. With Rosen back at the helm, they're a national title contender once again.{PAGEBREAK}
Jarrett Stidham, Stephenville (Texas)Size: 6-4, 190
College: Texas Tech
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 Dual-Threat QB
Stidham is poised to be the next prolific
passer at Texas Tech. He's also the main reason why Stephenville is in
good position to win its second state title in three years.{PAGEBREAK}
Ricky Town, St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.)Size: 6-3, 205
College: USC
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 2 Pro-Style QB
In a golden year for California quarterbacks, Town could be the best.{PAGEBREAK}
Travis Waller, Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)Size: 6-3, 188
College: Oregon
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 4 Dual-Threat QB
The newly-minted Oregon commit has one of the highest ceilings in the country. He'll try to command Servite back to the CIF Bowl Games.{PAGEBREAK}
Brady White, Hart (Newhall, Calif.)Size: 6-2, 185
College: Arizona State
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 3 Pro-Style QB
White posted some impressive stats last fall, throwing for 4,307 yards and 41 scores. He made a pledge to Arizona State this spring.{PAGEBREAK}
Brandon Wimbush, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)Size: 6-2, 215
College: Penn St.
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 5 Dual-Threat QB
With the frame of a linebacker and the arm strength of a quarterback playing on Sundays, Wimbush could be in store for a monstrous senior season.
