Elite 11 Recruiting Thoughts
While evaluating upperclassmen is always valuable, it's not the biggest draw to the regional events for the Elite 11. Everyone knows who "the guys" are - the regionals provide an opportunity to find the next guys that everyone will talk about in a few years.
The Georgia regionals brought talent from across the southeastern region, and several could be prospects for the Tennessee Volunteers. We are a long way away from some of these players being seriously recruited, but it's worth noting who they are and who they might become in the next few years. Volunteer Country has several takeaways from Saturday's action that saw a few young guys generate major interest in the college circuits.
KJ Lacey - As Advertised
2025 four-star quarterback KJ Lacey has been a favorite of mine for a while. His play in year one as the starter for Saraland High School in Alabama was exceptional. Lacey led them to a state title, largely through the air. He has an effortless release and can generate power from various angles, but the in-person evaluation was crucial for his overall evaluation.
To be frank, I had concerns about his size entering the event. It's difficult for quarterbacks to make strides in college with slender builds. You don't have to be tall, but you should be stocky. Lacey isn't one of the physical specimens we have seen in recent years; he stands 6-1 and 180 pounds and was one of the smaller quarterbacks attending. It didn't matter. Lacey generates a ridiculous amount of torque from solely his arm. Many quarterbacks need a set base, but he executed every drill well by keeping his feet active and finding windows to throw in. The ball jumps off his hand, and he is naturally elusive in the pocket that few have. In an exclusive interview with Volunteer Country, Lacey named the Vols as one of his top suitors. He will visit Rocky Top on June 25.
Landon Duckworth: Alabama's Finest
When I walked into the event, the first player I noticed was No. 482. There were national quarterback prospects that I was familiar with, but my eyes were drawn to the 6-3, 190-pound freshman with one of the biggest arms in the event. In fact, the only underclassmen with a "deeper" arm than Duckworth was 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis, an early favorite to be the No. 1 player in his class.
2026 quarterback Landon Duckworth is the recruit in question. He holds seven early offers from various Power-5 schools and is still in the early stages of his recruitment. He's still learning how to play the position, but the intangibles alone were enough for me to send several texts to associates around the industry. The Alabama native needs more high school reps to grow into his own, but this is a national recruitment that every Tennessee fan must pay attention to.
Julian Lewis, A Dude
You know who he is. Lewis has been a national recruit for years, holding 25 offers after his freshman season at Carrollton High School. He led the Trojans to the state title game, going through several powerhouse Georgia programs to get there. It's too early to speculate where he may end up, but every major program in the country would accept his commitment tomorrow.
Lewis threw in the first circuit, which was all we needed to see. Ohio State quarterback commit Air Noland was the only prospect that rivaled Lewis as a quarterback. Noland is entering his senior season at Langston Hughes - he's a state champion and earned his national Elite 11 invitation on Saturday. That's the company Lewis is in as a freshman in high school. He's a quarterback through and through. Lewis has a dedicated regiment and clearly loves football. Through the highs and lows of Saturday, he kept a positive attitude and always wore a smile. For me, the person is more impressive than the player, and I believe he should be the No. 1 player in America.
COLLEGE COACHES: OFFER BRYCE BAKER
Please. Just do it - you won't regret it. 2025 quarterback Bryce Baker holds just six Power-5 offers but was one of the best quarterbacks at the regionals. He holds a legitimate 6-3, 185-pound frame and doubles as an all-conference basketball player when he isn't dominating the North Carolina high school football scene.
Baker has a live arm, strong athleticism, and placed the ball as well as anyone in the event. He was refined, taking the appropriate drops and treating each rep purposefully. His eyes were locked in when coaches spoke, and he always executed. Quarterback is the most mentally demanding position in sports, and Baker's football acumen is that of a college quarterback.
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