UPDATE--Because of the seven overtime game between Arkansas and Kentucky, the EA SPORTS Elite 11 Quarterback Show Documentary wasn't aired on Saturday night and has been rescheduled to air on ESPN2 Tuesday night at 10:30pm EST/7:30 PST following the Bowling Green vs. Miami (OH) game. Incidentally, the game and show will each feature star QB Ben Roethlisberger of Miami. The TV show will also air this Friday morning at 11 am EST/ 8 am PST ... click here for more!
While most high schoolers were relaxing and enjoying summer break during late July this year, a group of soon-to-be-seniors were sweating under the summer sun and honing their skills, already preparing for school.
Well, more specifically, preparing for football season.
These hard-working students were part of the EA SPORTS Elite 11, a combination camp and competition designed to give the best quarterbacks in the nation some top-level schooling by the best in the business. Held in San Juan Capistrano, California, the EA SPORTS Elite 11 actually featured 12 of the best young high-school quarterbacks receiving tutelage from such college stars as Matt Schaub of Virginia, Michigan's John Navarre, Miami-Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger, Arizona State's Andrew Walter and Chris Lewis of Stanford, as well as EA SPORTS Elite 11 head coach Bob Johnson.
When all was said and done, the fabulous 12 took away a wealth of knowledge from the five-day camp -- and will receive some additional national exposure, courtesy of ESPN2, which will air a recap of the event in two different segments over the next two months.
The first segment, which will air on ESPN2 on Tuesday, November 4 at 10:30 PM EST/7:30 PM PST and re-air on Friday, November 7 at 11 am EST/8 am PST, will take viewers through the action at the EA SPORTS Elite 11 camp and show what it's like to be an up-and-coming superstar. The one hour documentary will also check in on four of the campers, John David Booty, Nate Longshore, Bobby Reid and Matt Tuiasosopo, for a day in the life of the "big man on campus."
The second segment, which will air on ESPN2 beginning December 13, will have more footage of the Elite 11, as well as a look at how our star quarterbacks fared during their senior seasons of high school football.
TOP 25 NAMES TO COME OUT OF THE EA SPORTS ELITE 11
David Carr (Houston Texans)
Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals)
Drew Brees (San Diego Chargers)
Kyle Boller (Baltimore Ravens)
Chris Redman (Baltimore Ravens)
Marques Tuiasosopo (Oakland Raiders)
A.J. Feeley (Philadelphia Eagles)
Rohan Davey (New England Patriots)
John Navarre (Michigan Wolverines)
Matt Schaub (Virginia Cavaliers)
Andrew Walter (ASU Sun Devils)
Ben Roethlisberger (Miami Redhawks)
Kurt Kittner (Atlanta Falcons)
Brooks Bollinger (NY Jets)
Brock Berlin (Miami Hurricanes)
Casey Clausen (Tennessee Volunteers)
Chris Rix (Florida State Seminoles)
Brodie Croyle (Alabama Crimson Tide)
Matt Leinart (USC Trojans)
Kyle Orton (Purdue Boilermakers)
Kellen Clemens (Oregon Ducks)
Derek Anderson (Oregon State Beavers)
Vincent Young (Texas Longhorns)
Chris Leak (Florida Gators)
John David Booty (USC Trojans)
BIOS FOR THE 2003 EA SPORTS ELITE 11 PARTICIPANTS
RHETT BOMAR
Height: 6-3
Weight: 205
High School: Grand Prairie (Texas)
Was a Student Sports Junior All-American in 2002 after completing 163 of 265 passes for 2,860 yards and 25 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Also rushed for 717 yards and nine more scores and is regarded by most as the top recruit in the state of Texas. Was the District 7-5A Sophomore of the Year in 2001 and is also an outstanding baseball prospect. Committed during the 2003 EA SPORTS Elite 11 Camp to the Oklahoma Sooners over Texas and Florida State.
JOHN DAVID BOOTY
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
High School: Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.)
College: USC (Freshman)
Made national headlines by opting to graduate early from high school and enroll at USC rather than play his senior season at Evangel Christian. As a junior quarterback in 2002, Booty led his team to the Class 5A state title while throwing for 4,144 yards and 38 touchdowns, earning Student Sports Junior All-American and Class 5A All-State honors. He also led Evangel Christian to the Class 5A state title as a 2001 sophomore, passing for 4,330 yards and 50 TDs while being named a Student Sports Sophomore All-American and Class 5A All-State. His older brother Josh is the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Will likely redshirt this fall at USC behind 2000 EA SPORTS Elite 11 participant Matt Leinart.
ALONZO (A.J.) BRYANT
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185
High School: Peach County (Fort Valley, Ga.)
A very talented athlete who just happens to also be an outstanding quarterback prospect. Has one of the quickest releases in the country and uncoachable instincts. Was a standout last fall on the gridiron, throwing for 1,605 yards and 11 scores and made several big plays running the ball as well with his sub-4.4 speed. He committed early to the Georgia Bulldogs way back on February 6th.
KIRBY FREEMAN
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
High School: Brownwood (Texas)
Great combination of athleticism and charisma. Had a solid junior season but saw his stock soar in May of 2003 after he was hands down the top quarterback at both the NIKE Camp in Texas and the EA SPORTS Elite 11 Regional Workout the following day. Clocked a 4.62 in the 40, 3.94 in the shuttle and jumped 31 inches in the vertical at the NIKE Camp. Threw for 1,315 yards and rushed for another 1,121 with 25 total touchdowns as a junior and committed to Miami in June over Purdue and Colorado.
BRIAN HILDEBRAND
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
High School: Corona (Calif.)
Hildebrand is probably the least known among this year's EA SPORTS Elite 11signal callers but make no mistake about it, he can play. As a junior, Hildebrand threw for 1,913 yards and 22 touchdowns to earn All-League honors for the second straight year. His favorite colleges include Colorado, Arizona State and UCLA.
CORNELIUS INGRAM
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
High School: Hawthorne (Fla.)
Still raw and developing in a lot of ways but has tremendous upside and will likely gain more in the long run by attending the EA SPORTS Elite 11 than any other signal caller in attendance. As a junior, Ingram threw for 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 500 yards and three more scores, and is a two-time Class 2A 2nd Team All-State selection. The signal caller is also regarded as one of the nation's finest shooting guards in hoops and averaged 25 points a game last season. He would like to double sport in college and every school recruiting him (Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and North Carolina) has told him that's fine with them.
NATE LONGSHORE
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225
High School: Canyon (Canyon Country, Calif.)
A big pocket-passer with prototypical size and arm strength, Longshore ranks as the top pure passing quarterback in California. As a junior, he threw for 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns while running for six more scores, earning Cal-Hi Sports Honorable Mention All-State Underclass honors. Recently committed to Cal over interest from most of the Pac-10 and BYU.
ANTHONY MORELLI
Height: 6-4
Weight: 210
High School: Penn Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Has arguably the strongest arm in the country and looked great in the drills at the NIKE Camp in Pennsylvania. Very sound mechanically, has a nice quick release and is very accurate. Has been a varsity starter since his freshman year. Earned All-League honors as a junior, completing 76 of 148 passes for 1,880 yards and 20 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Chose to commit early to the hometown Pittsburgh Panthers over Notre Dame and Ohio State.
CHASE PATTON
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205
High School: Rock Bridge (Columbia, Mo.)
A lanky signal-caller from the Show Me State who emerged after strong junior year as a national recruit. Strong-armed with a quick release and good feet. Hit 186 of 355 passes for 2,670 yards with 23 TDs and 9 picks as a junior in 2002, earning All-State honors. Is closely looking at Missouri, Tennessee, Kansas State, Iowa and UCLA.
BOBBY REID
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
High School: North Shore (Houston, Texas)
A big-time prospect with a great arm and a huge upside, very reminiscent of Donovan McNabb athletically at the same stage. Tested (4.46 in the 40, 35-inch vertical jump) and threw very well at the NIKE Camp in Texas. Earned District MVP honors in 2002 as a junior, passing for 1,485 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 776 yards and 16 more scores. Committed shortly after the EA SPORTS Elite 11 Camp to Oklahoma State over Ohio State, Georgia and others.
MATT TUIASOSOPO
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
High School: Woodinville (Wash.)
The younger brother of former Washington and current Oakland Raider No. 2 quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo and son of former NFL nose tackle Manu Tuiasosopo certainly has the bloodlines. "Tui" missed most of his junior season with an injury but had 16 touchdowns combined running and passing in just four games. Had an outstanding EA SPORTS Elite 11 Camp, being voted the Most Likely to Succeed in College by the counselors. Also an outstanding baseball prospect who participated in the prestigious Area Code Games for the second time in the summer of 2003. Favorite schools include UCLA, USC and Washington.
DREW WEATHERFORD
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
High School: Land OLakes (Fla.)
One of the most polished signal callers in the country and has all the intangibles coaches look for in a quarterback. Played his entire junior season with a tear in his meniscus but still led his team to the state semi-finals, completing 151 of 215 passes for 2,494 yards and 37 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Along with Rhett Bomar, Weatherford decided to make his college choice while attending the EA SPORTS Elite 11 Camp, picking the Florida State Seminoles over Tennessee and Auburn.