Nation's Top Prep Quarterbacks Descend on Malibu for Elite 11 Contest

was the setting for the 13^th annual Elite 11 camp this past week, featuring 24 of the nation's top quarterbacks in a five-day competition that culminated with the official presentation of the Elite 11 players on Friday. Highlights from the camp will be televised Aug. 12 and 19 on ESPN.

The camp's top coach was Trent Dilfer, a former NFL quarterback, who after a day of two-minute-offense drills Friday announced the Elite 11, including co-MVPs Neal Burcham (Greenbrier, Ark.), Tanner Mangum (Eagle, Idaho) and Jameis Winston (Hueytown, Ala.).

Through the years, many of the NFL's top quarterbacks have come through the Elite 11 camp, including current Del Mar neighbors Drew Brees and Carson Palmer. Twenty-two of the league's 32 projected starting quarterbacks are Elite 11 alumi and four of the first 12 picks in this year's NFL draft came through the program.

"I love competition," Dilfer said. "I am a competition junkie. These kids got pushed harder than any college team would push them in the first week; I guarantee it. And they all answered the bell, every single one of them. We were sitting in our staff meeting wondering if it was even possible for them to take more. If you want to be a quarterback, this is what it's all about."

Dilfer, a former Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl winner, said in past years, some of the quarterbacks clearly did not belong with the top performers. But this year, even though the field was increased from 18 to 24 participants, every quarterback was more than up to par.

"We pushed them to their limits constantly, taking 24 and narrowing them to the best 11," Dilfer said. "The 13 that didn't win, they still learned as much as the others, and I'm proud of all of them. I've never been prouder of any group of young men."

Grant Rohach, a quarterback from Moorpark, was the only California representative. He did not make the Elite 11, although he performed well on Friday, which focused on scoring a touchdown with a two-minute offense. He missed his first two pass attempts, then completed his final three, including a touchdown.

Jeff Lindquist of Mercer Island High in Washington state finished second behind the three co-MVPs (fourth overall). His father Jeff made the trip and was watching from the sidelines, along with parents for many of the others.

"It's exciting because it's kind of a game with equal footing for everybody," the older Jeff Lindquist said. "My son is just having a blast with an exclamation point. He's played hard, and that's part of the deal, but he's made some great friends and has had a great time."

Winston injured his hip while playing receiver earlier in the day.

"Jameis is unbelievable," Dilfer said. "He's just got so much ability. He was badly hurt, and that's what made today even more heroic. He's just a competitor."

Elite 11 (alphabetical order):

Austin Appleby, Hoover (North Canton, Ohio)
Neal Burcham, Greenbrier (Greenbrier, Ark.) — MVP
Shane Dillon, El Cajon Christian (El Cajon, Calif.)
Bart Houston, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Chad Kelly, St. Joseph's (Buffalo. N.Y.)
Zach Kline, San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.)
Jeff Lindquist, Mercer Island (Mercer Island, Wash.)
Tanner Mangum, Eagle (Eagle, Idaho) — MVP
Zeke Pike, Dixie Heights (Fort Mitchell, Ky.)
Chad Voytik, Cleveland (Cleveland, Tenn.)
Jameis Winston, Hueytown (Hueytown, Ala.) — MVP