MALIBU, Calif. – Twenty-four of the nation’s top quarterbacks were at Pepperdine University for the first day of the 2011 Elite 11 competition on Monday evening.
Mangum brought is A game on day one of the competition.
247Sports ranks the top 11 performers from day one. The event runs through Friday.
1. Tanner Mangum: The four-star BYU commit from Eagle (Idaho) High threw everything on a rope and made it look effortless in doing so. He doesn’t have to rear back to put good velocity on the football, with nearly every pass having good spin. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Mangum displayed good touch when he had to, especially in winning the accuracy competition against the other 23 competitors.
2. Jake Rodrigues: The Oregon commit from Rocklin (Calif.) Whitney has a swagger to him on the football field, and he delivered on Monday. Through the first 90 minutes of the two-hour session, he was stride for stride with Mangum as the top performer till the final accuracy competition. He was especially good in the drill where the quarterback had to lay the ball over the head and outstretched arms of the linebacker to the receiver downfield. Rodrigues also spun a great ball, and threw with a lot of zip.
3. Gunner Kiel: Nearly every time the nation’s top-ranked quarterback threw the football, his receiver caught the ball in a position to make a football move. The Columbus (Ind.) East standout had the best mechanics of the group, and was money on short, intermediate and down the field routes. He gets the ball out quick and throws well on the run.
4. Jameis Winston: The country’s top-ranked dual-threat signal-caller didn’t disappoint. The Bessemer (Ala.) Hueytown product was the best athlete of the group, smooth during the footwork drills, and was consistent passing the football throughout the evening.
5. Preston Dewey: The Miami pledge from Austin (Texas) St. Andrew’s Episcopal was steady through every drill and was very accurate throwing the football. He finished second to Mangum in the accuracy competition to conclude the first workout.
6. Nick Patti: The Boise State commit from Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips was one of the more exciting players in Malibu. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Patti looked especially comfortable throwing while rolling out and tossed a very catchable football. If he were three inches taller he’d likely have a big-time offer list, but Patti looks like the type or prospect that can help carry on the recent Boise State success.
7. Shane Dillon: The Colorado pledge from El Cajon (Calif.) Christian first impressed with his size. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder has the frame to add a lot of good weight and he already has a strong arm. He was especially good in the drill where he was able to fit the football in the small window the defensive back was giving him on the sideline.
Wisconsin commit Bart Houston can make all the throws.
8. Tyler O’Connor: The future Michigan State quarterback from Lima (Ohio) Central Catholic finished the workout with a third-place finish in the accuracy competition. His arm looked like it was one of the strongest of the day, and although he was off on a few footballs in the first hour, there were plenty more good throws than ones he’d want back.
9. Chad Voytik: Much like Dewey, the uncommitted signal-caller from Cleveland (Tenn.) High was steady through each drill, showing the arm strength to make all the throws, while putting the football exactly where he wants it.
10. Zach Kline: The Cal commit from Danville (Calif.) San Ramon Valley had one of the quickest releases on Monday, and throws the football with a ton of velocity.
11. Bart Houston: The Wisconsin commit from Concord (Calif.) De La Salle was another prospect that impressed physically. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Houston has the arm to make all the throws, and was one of the better players the first day in throwing the ball downfield.
Quick Hitters
-Former NFL quarterback and ESPN Analyst Trent Dilfer leads the coaching staff at Elite 11. Also helping out is Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Jordan Palmer.
-College quarterbacks working out on Monday were Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, Florida State’s E.J. Manuel, San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden. On Tuesday, Boise State’s Kellen Moore is expected to be out there.
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports