Day 2 of the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles was forced to go into a throw off to determine the Pro Day workout champion eventually won by Peter Bourque.
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — The second day of the Elite 11 Finals is usually the day were most of the separation happens. The eventual MVP of the event typically shines during the Pro Day workout. Tabor Academy (Mass.) star Peter Bourque certainly put himself in strong position to earn the title after his showing Saturday.
The 6-foot-4 1/2, 220-pound rising senior shined on Day 2 winning both the Pro Day workout and accuracy challenge. Bourque was the most consistent performer we watched Friday on Day 1, so he remains in strong position to take the crown.
On the college side, Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele remained the top-performing counselor at the event on Day 2. The lefty, who is heading into his sophomore season with the Bears, whipped passes around and glided through the Pro Day workout.
Those performances were not the only ones that stood out Saturday night at Mira Costa High School. Here are the TeamFB7 rankings for Day 2 after watching all 20 high school competitors go through their Pro Day workout at the Elite 11 Finals.
Ranking The Elite 11 Finals Day 2 Pro Day Workout Top Performers
1. Peter Bourque (Tabor Academy – Massachusetts)
It’s not often you see a competitor take both awards on Day 2 at the Elite 11 Finals. However, that was the case for Bourque during Saturday’s action in Manhattan Beach. The Tabor Academy star, who is headed to play for Virginia Tech next year, shined with his consistency during his Pro Day workout. He throws with a ton of confidence, and nobody looked more comfortable on Day 2. Bourque improved as the drill moved along and his accuracy popped off the charts. He dropped the ball in a bucket several times during his workout. Eventually Bourque had to go into an extra session to win the crown, but he had no issue with either of the final two throws.
2. Peyton Houston (Evangel Christian – Louisiana)
The LSU commit battled till the end for the Pro Day crown as he landed in a throw off with Bourque to determine the champ. The ball pops out of Houston’s hand better than anyone at the event, and he displayed plenty of confidence during his workout as well. He eventually landed a score of 48 to finish in a tie with Bourque before the extra session. He had a couple issues throwing on the run, but nobody threw a better pass on the fade routes during Saturday’s action. Houston’s quick release is about as impressive as it comes.
3. Israel “Izzy” Abrams (Montini Catholic – Illinois)
Miami-bound quarterback Israel Abrams had to wait the entire night before throwing during his Pro Day workout. The Illinois native was the last competitor to take the field in the event on Day 2, and he looked eager to put on a show. The big 6-foot-5 signal-caller had the benefit of watching all the other competitors, and he shined to wrap up the evening. Abrams finished just behind the leaders with a score of 47, and he hit on all the biggest throws during the competition. He displayed great touch and had fantastic ball placement on his passes, and Abrams shined on throws requiring the quarterbacks to get on the move. His fire and competitiveness made it a fun experience to watch him throw Saturday.
4. Brady Edmunds (Huntington Beach – California)
The Ohio State commit has been on the radar for college programs even before he arrived in high school several years ago. Now, Edmunds is a veteran of the circuit who displayed that experience on Day 2 at the Elite 11 Finals. He turned in one of the top complete performances on the day with high scores in both the accuracy challenge and Pro Day workout. Edmunds sometimes struggles to stay consistent when moving out of the pocket, but he can make every throw a quarterback needs to make. He was one of the better passers on crossing routes Saturday night plus showed great touch on fade routes. Edmunds finished strong during the Pro Day workout and should be happy with the result.
5. Will Mencl (Chandler – Arizona)
There is some swagger and clear confidence with Mencl. He shined on Day 1 of the event, and he was again impressive to open Day 2 on Saturday. Again, the Oregon commit looked completely comfortable making all the throws during his time on the field. He was one of the early competitors during the Pro Day workout, but that didn’t faze him. Mencl displayed an impressive ability to push the ball down the field, and he has great touch as well. Early on it looked like his performance could be tough to beat with how well he progressed down the field making elite throws.
6. Jake Nawrot (Hersey – Illinois)
The 6-foot-4 Kentucky commit came into the event with plenty of buzz after his performance in the regional event. Nawrot has continued to back up that attention during his first two days in Los Angeles. He was impressive again on Day 2 during his Pro Day workout. There was nobody better on the second day who led his receivers with his throws. Nawrot really displayed impressive ball placement and made life easy on those catching his passes. He had a couple issues throwing on the run, but the arm strength was there and he showed great touch as well. Nawrot was one of the few competitors to take down the crossbar challenge on a throw from 50 yards out. The pass showcased his impressive deep ball accuracy.
7. Trae Taylor III (Millard South – Nebraska)
The Nebraska commit who is originally from Illinois came into the week as one of the MVP favorites. Taylor was the clear winner on Day 1 of the event, and he came back with another strong performance Saturday night. He scored high on the accuracy challenge and was one of the more impressive players during the Pro Day workout. You’re splitting hairs among the top group, and he under threw a couple receivers. However, Taylor had impressive accuracy otherwise and was one of the best quarterbacks on the move Saturday. His ability to make plays down the field outside the pocket helped him stand out once again.
8. Ryan Rakowski (Palos Verdes – California)
One of the better stories of the Elite 11 Finals has been Rakowski’s performances through the first two days. The Palos Verdes High School star is well known around Southern California. However, he is showcasing his talent to a wider audience this weekend. The 5-foot-10 quarterback won the rail shot challenge on Day 1, and he shined again on Day 2 Saturday. Rakowski is as accurate as you will find at the quarterback position. He simply doesn’t miss his target, and that is what he showed again Saturday night. There will always be attention on his size, but it doesn’t hold him back from being strong at all three levels. That showed on a rollout play that featured a deep shot he made off one leg. The velocity he had on his passes stood out Saturday as well.
9. Elijah Haven (Dunham – Louisiana)
Every participant figures to be a big part of his college’s plans, but not all of the competitors look ready to play at that level now. Haven is one of the exceptions. The Alabama commit could suit up for the Crimson Tide next week and not look out of place. His 6-foot-4, 226-pound frame is impressive, and he already looks the part of someone in college despite being a rising senior in high school. He had a couple miscues Saturday night, but his ability to hit on the fade passes really shined. There is plenty of power behind his throws, and he was equally good on short and intermediate passes as he was deep throws.
10. Trent Seaborn (Thompson – Alabama)
The longtime Alabama commit has gone a bit under the rader this week, but he has performed well through the first two days. Seaborn was the second competitor to take the field for the Pro Day workout, but he made his performance count. He was particularly impressive on throws down the sideline where he showed plenty of touch and accuracy. There was a good amount of zip on his passes, and you have to like the confidence he plays with.
