Elite 11 Finals: Previewing The 2026 Field

The Elite 11 Finals will play out over three days in Southern California as 20 rising senior high school quarterbacks compete for the title at the annual competition.

The culmination of the next three days will bring about a new Elite 11 champion. The annual quarterback event kicks off Friday night in Los Angeles with 20 quarterbacks vying to be named the MVP. The prospects will come from all parts of the country, and the field features many of the top-rated recruits in the 2027 class.

There will also be camp counselors on hand in the form of current college players who help aid in teaching the 20 quarterbacks. The Elite 11 held eight regional events throughout the last several months to find the group of 20 finalists.

huntington beach quarterback brady edmunds looks on at the elite 11 los angeles regional in 2026 at lawndale high school in california
(Matt Moreno/TeamFB7)

California, Texas and Illinois have the most representation heading into the 2026 event. Three players from each state will take part in the competition. That is particularly impressive for Illinois, which has never had a player from its state win the MVP.

Six of the last 12 Elite 11 MVP winners have come from either Texas or California including four of the last five years.

Here is a rundown of all 20 players competing in the event in 2026. As a note, all participants are members of the 2027 class.

Elite 11 West Region Competitors

Brady Edmunds | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Committed to Ohio State

The 6-foot-5, 234-pound California native was the first player invited to the Elite 11 Finals after winning the MVP at the Los Angeles Regional event in February. Edmunds has been committed to the Buckeyes since late 2024.

Kamden Lopati | Salt Lake City, Utah | Committed to Michigan

Players can sometimes get overlooked by location. This week will be a great opportunity for Utah’s Kamden Lopati to test his skills against the other top quarterbacks in the class. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound prospect will be one to watch during the accuracy challenges this weekend in LA.

Will Mencl | Chandler, Ariz. | Committed to Oregon

The Chandler High School quarterback is looking to grow a long line of top signal-callers with the Ducks. He’ll have one last season to wrap up as a senior before heading to Eugene, but Mencl has generated plenty of buzz this offseason. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound quarterback is one of the more well-rounded participants this weekend at the Elite 11 Finals.

Ryan Rakowski | Palos Verdes, Calif. | Uncommitted

The Palos Verdes High School standout is one of just two uncommitted players participating in this weekend’s event. Rakowski has been a model of consistency and is never afraid to show up to any event and perform. The Elite 11 Finals will present an opportunity for the 5-foot-10, 182-pound QB to showcase his abilities on a broader scale.

Dane Weber | Temecula, Calif. | Committed to Cal

The Chaparral High School star was one of the uncommitted prospects until Thursday when he came off the board to Cal. UCLA and Cincinnati were the other finalists. Now, Weber can head into this weekend’s event without the worry of recruiting hanging over his head. He participated in two regional events including the Los Angeles Elite 11 stop where he shined with his ability to make throws on the move. The 6-foot, 220-pound rising senior will be another player to watch during the accuracy challenges.

West Roster

NAMESCHOOLSTATECOMMITMENTRANKINGS
Brady EdmundsHuntington BeachCaliforniaOhio StateRivals: Unranked, No. 21 QB | 247: UR, No. 16 QB
Kamden LopatiWest (Salt Lake City)UtahMichiganRivals: No. 115, No. 10 QB | 247: UR, No. 19 QB
Will MenclChandlerArizonaOregonRivals: No. 13, No. 1 QB | 247: No. 89, No. 8 QB
Ryan RakowskiPalos VerdesCaliforniaUncommittedRivals: UR, No. 76 QB | 247: UR, No. 66 QB
Dane WeberChaparral (Temecula)CaliforniaCalRivals: No. 293, No. 19 QB | 247: UR, No. 31 QB

Elite 11 South Region Competitors

Kavian Bryant | Palestine, Texas | Committed to Texas Tech

Texas will be well represented in Los Angeles, and Bryant is among the most impressive quarterbacks in the class. His athletic abilities make him one of the more explosive participants headed to the Elite 11. The competitions that allow for the quarterbacks to move out of the pocket should allow Bryant to shine.

Keegan Croucher | Chattanooga, Tenn. | Committed to Ole Miss

Arm strength challenges will be the area to watch Croucher who has been committed to Ole Miss since the fall. His abilities as a passer separate him from the group, and will give him a chance to make a push for a top spot heading into the three-day event in LA. The Tennessee native checks in at 6-foot-4 and 203 pounds.

Davin Davidson | Sarasota, Fla. | Committed to Florida

The first night of action at the Elite 11 Finals will provide the participants with opportunities to push the ball down the field. That is an area where Davidson can shine with his natural gifts. He is listed as the tallest participant this weekend. The Florida commit checks in at 6-foot-6 1/2 and 214 pounds.

Elijah Haven | Baton Rouge, La. | Committed to Alabama

The Louisiana native looks the part of a future high-level college quarterback, and there is a clear reason Kalen DeBoer’s staff wanted him in Tuscaloosa. Haven is listed at 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds making him among the biggest participants this weekend. He is the complete package in many ways as a quarterback but still has plenty of room for improvement.

Peyton Houston | Shreveport, La. | Committed to LSU

Houston’s recruitment took plenty of turns but ultimately he will stay close to home and play for Lane Kiffin at LSU. He has been on the radar as a prospect for years now, and stepping into the spotlight isn’t new for the 5-foot-10, 200-pound quarterback. Any element of the camp that will allow Houston to showcase his athleticism will give him the chance to separate himself.

Kharim Hughley | Gainesville, Ga. | Committed to Clemson

The future Clemson Tiger looks most unlike a future college quarterback than anyone else on the list. Hughley is listed at 5-foot-11 and 208 pounds and doesn’t have the same lean and lanky look as his counterparts. However, he could be the running for a spot on the final list because of his attributes as a passer. The Georgia native has been committed to Clemson since last July.

Ty Knutson | Spring Branch, Texas | Committed to Texas

Dia Bell was named the MVP during the 2025 event, and Knutson will be looking to keep the momentum going for Texas-bound players. The 6-foot-4, 201-pound quarterback is not going to be one of the players with the most attention on him this weekend in Los Angeles, but that could be an opportunity to avoid any unnecessary pressure.

Colton Nussmeier | Denton, Texas | Uncommitted

The Denton, Texas native is coming into the Elite 11 Finals as the other uncommitted participant. UCLA, Arkansas and Georgia are the schools still competing for the younger brother of new Kansas City Chiefs QB Garrett Nussmeier. He has a solid frame at 6-foot-3 1/2 and 196 pounds but is coming off an injury last season. The event will be his chance to show why he belongs among the top group.

Trent Seaborn | Alabaster, Ala. | Committed to Alabama

Like some others on the list, Seaborn has been a varsity starter going back to eighth grade. The 6-foot-1, 201-pound quarterback will make the trip as one of two Alabama commits in LA this weekend. He has been committed to the Crimson Tide since last fall.

NAMESCHOOLSTATECOMMITMENTRANKINGS
Kavian BryantWestwood (Palestine)TexasTexas TechRivals: No. 73, No. 6 QB | No. 52, No. 5 QB
Keegan CroucherBaylor (Chattanooga)TennesseeOle MissRivals: No. 50, No. 4 QB, 247: UR, No. 15 QB
Davin DavidsonCardinal Mooney (Sarasota)FloridaFloridaRivals: No. 120, No. 11 QB | 247: No. 220, No. 13 QB
Elijah HavenDunham (Baton Rouge)LouisianaAlabamaRivals: No. 96, No. 7 QB | 247: No. 2, No. 1 QB
Peyton HoustonEvangel Christian (Shreveport)LouisianaLSURivals: No. 141, No. 13 QB | 247: No. 123, No. 9 QB
Kharim HughleyGainesvilleGeorgiaClemsonRivals: No. 137, No. 12 QB | 247: UR, No. 29 QB
Ty KnutsonSmithson Valley (Spring Branch)TexasTexasRivals: UR, No. 31 QB | 247: No. 140, No. 10 QB
Colton NussmeierDenton RyanTexasUncommittedRivals: UR, No. 31 QB | 247: No. 140, No. 10 QB
Trent SeabornThompson (Alabaster)AlabamaAlabamaRivals: UR, No. 27 QB | 247: UR, No. 14 QB

Elite 11 Midwest/East Region Competitors

Israel Abrams | Lombard, Ill. | Committed to Miami

When it comes to the eye test, Abrams is as good of a thrower as there will be participating this weekend. There is an effortless quality about his passes, and that should be at the forefront as he competes at the Elite 11 Finals. Many of the Pro Day challenges should fit his skill set well this weekend.

Peter Bourque | Marion, Mass. | Committed to Virginia Tech

The big 6-foot-4 1/2, 220-pound quarterback from Massachusetts will be one to watch closely as a potential MVP candidate this weekend. Bourque is one of the most complete players in the field, and there aren’t a ton of weak spots in his game. He recently committed to play for James Franklin and the Hokies earlier this month.

Jake Nawrot | Arlington Heights, Ill. | Committed to Kentucky

There is a strong chance the next Elite 11 MVP comes from this group of players, and Nawrot is among the ones to watch. The 6-foot-4, 199-pound prospect from Illinois has all the tools to take the crown and drew plenty of rave reviews for his work at the regional. Nawrot committed to play for Will Stein and the Wildcats last month.

Jameson Purcell | Park Ridge, Ill. | Committed to Indiana

Left-handed quarterbacks are always intriguing to watch, and the Indiana-bound signal-caller fits into that category. Another Illinois native, Purcell should have a strong showing over the course of the three days and have opportunities to be seen on a broader scale in the coming days. He checks in at 6-foot-1 1/2 and 200 pounds. He committed to play for Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers last summer before their championship run.

Trae Taylor III | Omaha, Neb. | Committed to Nebraska

It wouldn’t be a stretch to call the Nebraska commit the favorite heading into the three-day Elite 11 Finals. Taylor’s game should allow him to be among the top performers on all three days. He is one of the most well-rounded quarterbacks participating in the competition giving him an advantage going into opening night. The Omaha native made his early decision to stay close to home over a year ago.

Braylen Warren | Omaha, Neb. | Committed to Missouri

Fellow Omaha native Braylen Warren should also be in strong position to make noise in the next three days. His skillset fits in well with each of the challenges the group will be tasked with performing in Los Angeles. If he can remain consistent, Warren will have a strong chance at being part of the top group. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound quarterback made his commitment to the Tigers early in the winter.

NAMESCHOOLSTATECOMMITMENTRANKINGS
Israel AbramsMontini Catholic (Lombard)IllinoisMiamiRivals: No. 44, No. 3 QB | 247: No. 14, No. 2 QB
Peter BourqueTabor Academy (Marion)MassachusettsVirginia TechRivals: No. 107, No. 9 QB | 247: No. 80, No. 7 QB
Jake NawrotHersey (Arlington Heights)IllinoisKentuckyRivals: No. 27, No. 2 QB | 247: No. 68, No. 6 QB
Jameson PurcellMaine South (Park Ridge)IllinoisIndianaRivals: UR, No. 42 | 247: UR, No. 26 QB
Trae Taylor IIIMillard South (Omaha)NebraskaNebraskaRivals: No. 71, No. 5 QB | 247: No. 37, No. 3 QB
Braylen WarrenWestside (Omaha)NebraskaMissouriRivals: UR, No. 39 QB | 247: UR, No. 28 QB

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