Elite 11 Finals Preview: Will Gators QB Commit DJ Lagway Walk Away Victorious?
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The 2023 Elite 11 Finals are upon us. Scheduled to commence at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, the nation's illustrious high school quarterback competition will feature several top-ranked passers in the 2024 recruiting cycle.
The competition, split up over three days, will consist of "on-field drills, routes-on-air, classroom instruction and off-field development" for the 20 quarterbacks in attendance, according to the event's website.
Each participant will be judged based on their performance and high school film, graded out each day while simultaneously earning a cumulative grade spanning the length of the event.
In years past, day one consisted of several drills in groups, warming each competitor up for the road ahead. Day two was the lauded pro day passing, where each quarterback earned the spot to showcase their ability to make throws of different kinds to all levels of the field. Finally, the event concluded with an accuracy gauntlet on day three, providing a further look at the precision of each player.
After not signing a prospect from the Elite 11 field in the 2023 class, the Florida Gators boast one of the field's most dynamic throwers in quarterback pledge DJ Lagway.
Possessing impeccable arm talent, off-platform throwing ability, accuracy, touch and the lauded 'wow' factor on tape, the five-star Florida commit rests as a top prospect to watch for the crown of Elite 11 MVP.
His consistency will be the determining factor in his ability to cash in on that billing. Even if he doesn't, Lagway will certainly produce some highlight reel throws during the three-day stretch.
Below you can learn about the other passers set to compete against Lagway in the 2023 rendition of the Elite 11 Finals, per Brooks Austin of Dawgs Daily.
- Dylan Raiola, Georgia - Raiola is the Nation’s consensus No. 1 quarterback in 2024. With the arm talent to spare, Raiola should be more than comfortable making all the throws this week.
- Jadyn Davis, Michigan - Davis finished second in the Elite 11 Regional in Atlanta behind Ohio State commit Air Noland back in May. It will be compelling to see how he’s improved in the time being. The additional 7on7 format should favor the elite playmaker.
- Julian Sayin, Alabama - The Alabama commit is an intriguing evaluation considering he produces elite-level arm talent and traits from a non-threatening physical stature. It should be an eye-opening week for all based on the tape.
- Elijah Brown, uncommitted - The nation’s top-ranked uncommitted quarterback, Brown will have all eyes on him this weekend. Expected to choose between USC and Stanford, the California native is a twitchy thrower of the football.
- CJ Carr, Notre Dame - An extremely whippy arm action from Carr produces a ball that jumps on tape with a sense of swag about him as well. We will be watching the athletic traits closely.
- Air Noland, Ohio State - An absolute processor from the Peach State, Noland throws a deadly accurate football and has the type of touch required to succeed in 7-on-7 settings this week as well.
- Luke Kromenhoek, Florida State - A massive ripper of the football. He’s throwing 95 off the bump on tape with a really violent motion. There are flashes of tremendous toughness on the film as well.
- Ryan Puglisi, Georgia - “The Other Georgia commit” is a notorious thrower of the football with Power5 football coaches. All he did last summer was receive committable offers from the nation’s premier programs after throwing for them at camps. He’s got the arm talent and strength to win an event like this.
- Demond Williams, Ole Miss - Williams is perhaps the best athlete on display this weekend. If this were an actual game-setting event. It’s not, however, providing Williams the opportunity to show he’s a refined passer, not just a refined football player.
- Isaac Wilson, Utah - The recent Utes commit, Wilson has a lively arm on film. It will be interesting to see how he looks physically standing next to other Power 5 throwers.
- Dante Reno, South Carolina - The Massachusetts product, and son of Yale head coach, Tony Reno, Dante’s best traits will be seen by the Elite 11 staff in meeting rooms. He’s also respectful of the football, not having thrown an interception during his junior season.
- Hauss Hejny, TCU - The Horned Frogs commit is a bundle of explosiveness with some of the most jaw-dropping tape against some of the Lone Star State’s finest competition. Hejny is FanNation’s Darkhorse candidate this week.
- Colin Hurley, LSU - Hurley is actually a reclassified 2025 signal caller. With a thick lower half and some sneaky athletic traits, Hurley should do well playing “up” against the older class.
- Daniel Kaelin, Nebraska - The Husker commit plays tall and strong in the pocket while delivering a tight football. He may not have the top-end arm talent some at this event possess, but he’s plenty accurate.
- Michael Hawkins, Oklahoma - Fluid and freaky. It doesn’t take long to notice that Michael Hawkins makes big boys plays in a big boy classification of Texas High School football.
- Will Hammond, Texas Tech - A “does everything pretty good” type of evaluation and traits from Hammond. He should put out well-rounded performances with his consistent stroke.
- Danny O’Neil, Colorado - The recent Buffaloes commit, O’Neil, is a player from Indianapolis that will likely be in the national spotlight in LA for the first time in his young career.
- Ethan Grunkmeyer, Penn State - Grunkmeyer’s tape is littered with big boy trait plays. Scrambling on the run, launching bombs, and making guys miss. It will be interesting to see his physical traits stacked up against the rest of the class.
- Trevor Jackson, uncommitted - One of just two uncommitted quarterbacks at the event, Jackson will have plenty of eyes on him this week. An elbow-heavy delivery that gets through the zone surprisingly well. Jackson will be choosing between Power 5 programs like Missouri, Pittsburgh and Texas A&M.
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