A glimpse at Florida football's blue-chip quarterback ahead of 2025 Elite 11 Finals

A glimpse at Florida football's blue-chip quarterback ahead of 2025 Elite 11 Finals
The 2025 edition of the Elite 11 Finals — a showcase of 20 soon-to-be high school senior quarterbacks who travel to Los Angeles for three days of competition against other top quarterback talents — kicks off on Tuesday, and the list of participants includes one of Florida football's top-rated prep prospects.
Quarterback Will Griffin, a four-star gunslinger out of Tampa (Florida) Jesuit, is one of three Sunshine State products included in the event as well as one of a trio of recruits committed to a Southeastern Conference school. 247Sports' Andrew Ivins provides a quick breakdown of the Gators' future under center ahead of the Elite 11 Finals start.
"Enters senior year with 46 varsity starts under his belt, making him one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the class. Built like Tim Tebow, but wants to win more times than not with his arm. Finished regional on a high note as he was lights out in the red zone."
Ivins notes that Griffin reminds him most of former Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Hunter Dekkers, who played college from 2020 to 2022 in Ames and signed with the New Orleans Saints after college as an undrafted free agent.
2025 Elite 11 finalists by state
California - 3
Texas - 3
Florida - 3
Ohio - 1
Nebraska -1
Indiana - 1
Georgia - 1
Utah - 1
New Jersey - 1
North Carolina - 1
Arizona - 1
Tennessee - 1
2025 Elite 11 finalists by conference committed
ACC - 5
SEC - 3
Big Ten - 3
Big 12 - 3
Elite 11 History
16 of the last 17 QBs to win the Heisman Trophy attended Elite 11 finals or regionals
The last three Heisman Trophy-winning QBs were Elite 11 finalists
Twelve of the last 13 QBs to go No. 1 overall in NFL draft attended Elite 11 finals or regionals
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

Caleb Williams Predicted to Shatter Bears Passing Record in 1st Year With Ben Johnson

Caleb Williams Predicted to Shatter Bears Passing Record in 1st Year With Ben Johnson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Bears have an illustrious history stretching back more than a century, though it is devoid of even a single great quarterback during the Super Bowl era. Advertisement Jim McMahon is the only Bears signal-caller with a championship ring, though he won it with the overwhelming support of one of the best defenses in NFL history. In terms of career resumé, Jay Cutler is the most prolific thrower of the football ever to wear a Chicago uniform, and it's unclear how much he ever cared about the sport or being great at it while he was playing. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft was supposed to change all that. The Bears landed former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and got off to a 4-2 start. Then a 10-game losing streak struck, and Williams watched as his offensive coordinator and head coach get fired, though his view was often obscured by the turf stuck in his helmet following any number of the league-leading 68 sacks he endured. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Chicago's front office called on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson this offseason, luring him to the Windy City with the promise Williams' talent and $13 million annually over a five-year contract to save the purported savior of the Bears' cursed QB room. Advertisement Johnson subsequently added three new interior offensive linemen, all of whom appear likely to start. He then spent the team's first two draft picks on a stud tight end and a stud slot receiver to round out Williams' weapons alongside Nos. 1 and 2 wideouts DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Now, it's time to put it all together during training camp. Jeffri Chadiha of expects Johnson, Williams and the rest of the Bears offense will do just that, predicting on Thursday, June 19, that the quarterback will break the all-time franchise record for passing yards in just his second season. "One thing that shouldn't be doubted is whether he'll become the first Chicago signal-caller to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. Williams won't just reach that barrier; he'll blow it away, especially when considering all the advantages he has working for him now," Chadiha wrote. "Williams threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns last season when he was running for his life and trying too hard to extend plays. Better coaching and an improved supporting cast will make life much easier for him, and the numbers will bear that out." Chadiha projected Williams to throw for 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2025. Related: NFL Reveals Bears' Key Dates for 2025 Training Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Elite 11: Ranking the top 11 QBs from the week

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – Over three days at the Elite 11, no quarterback absolutely, clearly, 100-percent established himself as the best one at the event. But through a battery of stations on Tuesday night, the all-important Pro Day on Wednesday night and a 7on7 session on Thursday, here is our ranking of the top 11 for the week. MORE ELITE 11: Bentley is best of pro day performances | Ten takeaways from opening night | Tough decision ahead for Bentley RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | ACC programs in the spotlight | Big Ten programs in the spotlight | SEC programs in the spotlight | Key QB storylines | Key RB storylines | Key WR storylines | Key TE storylines | Key OL storylines | Key DL storylines | Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State 1. DIA BELL The four-star quarterback from Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage was the best of the best on the first night, not so great during the Pro Day and then came back with a vengeance and had a good 7on7 session. Advertisement Does that make him the top QB? We think so, as when he was good, he was really good. The Texas commit can spin it, the ball comes out beautifully and he can throw accurately to every level. Nothing looked forced when Bell is in the pocket. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT 2. HELAMAN CASUGA Casuga has dealt with an injury that sidelined him for a portion of his junior season (after beating IMG Academy, of course) so what his performance was going to be like was uncertain. The Texas A&M commit delivered in a big way during the Pro Day, where his timing with receivers was impeccable, and he spun it with pace as well as anyone at the event. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS A&M FANS AT 3. KEISEAN HENDERSON The Houston commit is a top-10 prospect and a five-star quarterback but one cannot help but feel he's only tapping his potential and he could have the most upside in the class. His athleticism is off the charts and so is his arm talent as it's burned in my memory the nicest throw of the Pro Day when he ducked pressure, moved right and zipped it on a rope 40 yards downfield to a receiver. Henderson has special qualities that Houston needs badly. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH HOUSTON FANS AT 4. BOWE BENTLEY Bentley really flashed during the Pro Day portion of the Elite 11 as he graded out the highest on our point system and we loved that the Celina, Texas, standout fired each ball and didn't try to place it with zero pace on it just to score points. Advertisement Down to Oklahoma and LSU, Bentley was great throwing from the pocket, escaping pressure and keeping zip on his passes, and hitting receivers in stride. He wasn't exceptional the other two days so he's fourth overall on our list. 5. TAIT REYNOLDS Reynolds was skilled, reliable and consistent. The Clemson commit has a little elongated motion (probably from his baseball background) but he's a big, steady presence in the pocket who was exceptional on deep throws and the seam routes during the Pro Day. He was solid the other two days, if not spectacular. He will head to play for the Tigers and have weapons around him. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT 6. BRYSON BEAVER Beaver was one of the biggest surprises of the Elite 11. The Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta three-star definitely outplayed his ranking and came in with a ton of confidence. He was another one who zipped the ball and played to win instead of trying to game the system for points. Other than Henderson's dime down the right side of the field, Beaver had the best throw of the night on the same route. He's at Oregon this weekend and the Ducks look strong but his recruitment has been wild in recent weeks. 7. TRAVIS BURGESS There is a tendency to look at the North Carolina commit at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds and think he's going to be too lanky, too gangly and have a really long motion but that wasn't the case at all with the Loganville (Ga.) Grayson standout. Advertisement Burgess was more than solid throughout the entire event and after missing on a deep throw early during the Pro Day was basically perfect on all his deep shots after that. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH UNC FANS AT 8. TERRY WALKER Beaver and Walker were the biggest surprises for us at the Elite 11. The Duke commit is so smooth, the ball pops off his hand and other than just a couple poor throws during the Pro Day, he was really impressive. Walker was exceptional on night one as his tight spirals just looked different than a lot of other quarterbacks and then he backed it up again at the pro day. Most impressive is that he's best at being creative so this structure didn't necessarily suit all his gifts. Advertisement The Blue Devils got a steal. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH DUKE FANS AT 9. FAIZON BRANDON Did Brandon sign, seal and deliver the No. 1 quarterback spot in the 2026 class with his three-day performance at the Elite 11? No. But the Tennessee commit was also very good in numerous spots with the biggest spotlight on him over the event. There's no questioning his arm talent and playmaking ability. But he didn't separate himself like an undoubted No. 1 quarterback has done at this event before. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT 10. JETT THOMALLA Thomalla had a lot on his mind even flying to the Elite 11 and waking up that first morning because that's when he flipped from Iowa State to Alabama. He was a tick slow that first night but really stepped it up during the pro day and beyond as he was exceptionally good throwing receivers open and putting it where only they could catch it. Advertisement One of the toughest throws is to go across the field and throw to the pylon in the front of the end zone and Thomalla aced that one. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT 11. OSCAR RIOS The more we see Rios – in camp settings, 7on7 settings and now at the Elite 11 – we like his game and how it translates to the next level. The Downey, Calif., four-star QB is down to Arizona and UCLA and Rios plays with a quiet confidence and competitiveness that should carry over well to the college game. Even though he's on the leaner side, Rios is dynamic, the ball pops and he has no problem throttling back and getting it deep.

USA Today

2 hours ago

• USA Today

USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Andrew Vorhees in focus

The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 72 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look at former USC All-America offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2017-2022 Career highlights: It did not take long for Vorhees to earn a starting role at USC, emerging as the Trojans' right guard by the fifth game of his true freshman year in 2017. Outside of the 2019 season—in which he missed all but two games due to an ankle injury—he held down a starting role for the rest of his time on campus. Taking advantage of his extra COVID year of eligibility in 2022, Vorhees emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in the country. He was named a first-team All-American that season, and won the Morris Trophy as the top lineman in the Pac-12 Conference. Vorhees's blocking played an instrumental role in USC quarterback Caleb Williams winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy. After USC: At the 2023 NFL combine, Vorhees tore his ACL during the on-field drills portion of the event. Despite this, however, he still remarkably put up 38 reps on the bench press, drawing national acclaim for his perseverance. The Baltimore Ravens selected Vorhees in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL draft. After missing his entire rookie season due to the aforementioned ACL injury, he returned to the field in 2024 and saw significant playing time at offensive guard. Vorhees will look to play an even bigger role for the team in 2025.