Day 1 of the Elite 11 Finals was capped by the fun rail shot challenge that was won by an unlikely participant setting up for a potentially exciting couple days in Los Angeles.
The 20 quarterbacks vying for the title of Elite 11 Finals MVP took to the field Friday evening to begin the three-day event. There will eventually be a selection process leading to the 11-man list plus one MVP winner as well.
The first day of action at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California is when players get their feet wet and ease into the competition. There are four different stations with various drills that test the complete skillsets of the quarterbacks on hand.
Ultimately, the first day is capped with a competition. The rail shot challenge pushes the participants to make a throw up the sideline into a tight window. It gets the competitive juices flowing and helps break the ice heading into Day 2 of the event.
We previously previewed the full list of participants, and the group was able to begin battling for the top award Friday evening. The 20-man group was joined by three college counselors on Day 1. It includes Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who had a breakout showing at the 2024 event. Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. and new Auburn QB Byrum Brown round out the counselor group.
Evaluating The Action On Day 1 At The Elite 11 Finals
It was an eventful first day of action at the Elite 11 Finals, and we break down the top performers ahead of Day 2. The second day will feature a pro day-style workout for the competitors.
Most Impressive Performer: Will Mencl
Oregon commit Will Mencl came into the event as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class. So, there is certainly a high bar for what to expect when he steps on the field. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound Chandler, Arizona native checked off many of the boxes throughout Friday’s drills. He delivered the ball with impressive accuracy and only improved as the night moved along. He showcased fiery energy while battling during the rail shot challenge, which he placed second in to close out the night. Dan Lanning and the Ducks should be plenty excited about what Mencl will bring to the team when he arrives in Eugene.
Most College Ready Participant: Trae Taylor III
There is a confidence about the Nebraska commit that stands out whenever he gets an opportunity to step into the spotlight. Taylor carries himself well, and there weren’t many holes in his performance on the first night of the three-day Elite 11 Finals. His accuracy stood out next to confidence Friday, and he delivered in each of the drills regardless of what element was in focus. He has strong footwork, and Taylor gets the ball out in a hurry. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller finished third in the rail shot challenge and made plenty of impressive passes to get to that point. Taylor looks like a challenger for the MVP award following the first night of action.
Most Consistent Passer On Day 1: Peter Bourque
With so much happening at the same time it can be difficult to gauge everything at once. Still, there are certain players who stand out no matter the point in the event. The Virginia Tech commit fell into that category Friday night. Bourque shined in his ability to make the challenging look easy on the first day of the competition. There is an effortless quality about his game, and he looked comfortable in the various drills. He delivered accurate passes and showcased his arm strength as well. He likely won’t be part of the MVP conversation, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him be the most consistent of the 20 quarterbacks competing this weekend.
Most Intriguing QB: Kharim Hughley
There are a number of tall quarterbacks participating in this weekend’s event. The Clemson commit is not part of that group. He is one of a few sub 6-foot participants on the field at the Elite 11 Finals, but Hughley turned in an impressive showing on Day 1 in Los Angeles. At 5-foot-11, you would expect mobility to be part of his repertoire, and that is certainly the case Friday. He was particularly impressive when forced to make plays on the move or escaping a simulated collapsing pocket. Hughley is not afraid to step through his throws, and he showcased that ability on Day 1. He also has a knack for passing with some high velocity, and that was also on display Friday night. Hughley does not waste much time getting the ball out of his hand.
Most Accurate Passer: Ryan Rakowski
The feel-good story of the first day at the Elite 11 Finals belonged to Palos Verdes, California quarterback Ryan Rakowski. The 5-foot-10 prospect doesn’t have the same type of acclaim nationally as most of the other competitors, but he showed why he belongs among the group Friday. He battled with Mencl for several rounds before coming away as the champion of the rail shot challenge. He didn’t miss a throw during the challenge perfectly encapsulating his night as a whole. Rakowski was accurate throughout the drills, and he made several high-level throws during the competition. If he is using the event as a chance to raise his stock, mission accomplished.
