A lot of things have shifted in college football recruiting in the past few years. NIL has given athletes added leverage and more opportunities to cash in on their talent. The transfer portal has put less weight college decisions, as athletes are commonly seen playing at a different school less than a year after their signing day.
But with every new way in which athletes are gaining leverage off of the field, the ways to gain exposure on the field have remained the same. It's all about performance. And among the camps that generates the biggest names heading towards college football is Elite 11.
The Elite 11 camp series has helped make household names out of the best quarterback recruits of the last 23 years. Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Tua Tagavailoa and a stable of other NFL quarterbacks went head-to-head with the best playcallers in their recruiting classes at Elite 11 camps.
Elite 11, though, is evolving at a similar pace as the sport itself, introducing the highest profile position coaches to athletes at regional camps. And with their Digital Combine in GMTM, access to one of football's most important development camps is easier than ever. Players from every corner of the county can record and submit a full-length Pro-Day and be seen by Elite 11 coaches immediately.
For some of the best talent from the upcoming recruiting classes, the 2022 Elite 11 Digital Combine has become an important part of the camp process. And better yet, the Pro Day videos on GMTM allows the armchair quarterbacks and college football fans alike to get an inside look at how the next crop of quarterback talent looks.
While most of us won't be in-person at Elite 11's Orlando Regional this weekend, the Digital Combine has given us a glimpse at a few of the names who will be in attendance.
Champ Long - QB, St. Peter’s Prep HS(NJ)
Robert 'Champ' Long, a class of 2023 quarterback out of the Northeast, has the look of the modern quarterback. Energetic, charismatic, and a natural leader of the St. Peter's Prep Marauders in Jersey City, NJ, Long reminds me of a number of Elite 11 alumni who have succeeded without the obvious size at the quarterback position.
Long is committed to play at Maryland over offers from a number of schools in the Northeast. Could that change after a few standout performances in the Elite 11 circuit? If his Pro Day videos are any indication, there could be a few more offers coming in from Power 5 programs before he signs in 2023.
Tyler Jefferson - QB, Hawthorne High School (FL)
Representing Florida at the Orlando Regional will be 6'2", 225-pound quarterback Tyler Jefferson. The local showcase could help the Hawthorne, FL quarterback secure a few more offers to Power 5 programs.
Currently, Jefferson has interest from a few schools, including Maryland, Florida State, and Kentucky. With a frame every offensive coordinator is looking for, a standout performance at an Elite 11 Regional could help Jefferson make a big move before his senior season. His Pro Day Script is proof that he could go step-for-step with any quarterback in his class.
Riley Trujillo - QB, Bartram Trail High School (FL)
Signing a Florida quarterback is kind of like buying a slightly used car. You know they've got some mileage and their value is never going to drop off after they show up on campus.
Riley Trujillo, a 2024 quarterback from Bartram Trail HS in Jacksonville, certainly fits that bill. Playing high quality competition as a young starter in the state of Florida is experience that every recruiter knows can translate to the college level.
Trujillo, a year behind some of the other QBs at the Elite 11 Orlando Regional, has certainly committed to putting in the work early, according to his Pro Day Script. An offer from Georgia Tech has already been sent and with a few Elite 11 events this spring, he could have a packed mailbox following his Junior season next fall.
Cedrick Bailey
Another Florida quarterback with an offer from Georgia Tech, Cedrick Bailey is certainly a talent to pay attention to. Built more like a basketball player than a typical Yellow Jacket option quarterback, the 6-6, 190-pound Chaminade-Madonna Prep quarterback has the ability and athleticism to change any offensive coordinator's mind.
The Hollywood, FL quarterback is no stranger to going up against top talent in his home state, and the Elite 11 Regional in Orlando will be an opportunity for Bailey to gain some more exposure on the national stage.
