5 schools that have bagged most Elite 11 finalists ft. Kirby Smart’s Georgia
Since 1999, the yearly Elite 11 finalists are honored by being brought together to compete in the contest led by former Super Bowl champion quarterback Trent Dilfer. These top quarterbacks put their NFL future on the fast track by being able to compete in this prestigious event.
Many of college football's most successful programs have boasted a number of Elite 11 finalists in the competition's history and here is a look at the five schools that have signed the most.
5 schools that have bagged the most Elite 11 finalists
#1. Georgia, 15
The Georgia Bulldogs have secured 15 Elite 11 finalists since the start of the competition in 1999. The most well-known names among them include Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray, Jacob Eason, Jake Fromm, Justin Fields, and Carson Beck.
Stafford is Georgia's sixth all-time leading passer, finishing his college career with 7,731 yards and 51 touchdowns. He was the first overall selection in the 2009 NFL draft and went on to win the Super Bowl in 2021. Aaron Murray is the Bulldogs' all-time leading passer, finishing his four-year career with 13,166 yards and spending time in the NFL along with Eason, Fromm, and Fields.
#2. Oklahoma, 14
Oklahoma trails Georgia for the top spot by just one, with 14 Elite 11 finalists who have dawned a Sooners uniform. Some of the notable finalists who have played in Norman include Caleb Williams, Spencer Rattler, Kyler Murray, and Landry Jones.
Caleb Williams played one season at Oklahoma before transferring to USC and winning the Heisman trophy in 2022. He went on to become the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Rattler was also a 2024 draft selection, being taken by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round.
Kyler Murray played two seasons at Oklahoma following his transfer from Texas A&M in 2016. Like Williams, he took home the Heisman Trophy and was a first-overall NFL draft selection.
#3. Alabama, 13
There have been 13 Elite 11 finalists who have played their college football at one of the most successful college football programs of all time. The Alabama Crimson Tide have brought in finalists including A.J. McCarron, Tua Tagovailoa, and Bryce Young.
McCarron has spent time in the NFL bouncing between teams as a solid backup option and now plays in the UFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Tua Tagovailoa won a national championship with the Crimson Tide and was selected fifth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL draft.
Bryce Young led Alabama to a national title in 2020 and would take home the Heisman Trophy the following season. He was selected first overall in the 2023 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers and threw for 2,877 yards and 11 touchdowns during his rookie season.
#4. Florida, 12
The Florida Gators have signed 12 total Elite 11 finalists, including one of the top college football quarterbacks of all-time, Tim Tebow. Tebow played four seasons with the Gators from 2006 to 2009. and finished his career with 9,286 passing yards and 2,947 rushing yards with 145 total touchdowns.
Florida's roster currently consists of two Elite 11 quarterbacks, with 2018 finalist Graham Mertz and 2023 finalist DJ Lagway. Mertz played four seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to Florida last season and will exercise his sixth year of eligibility in 2024.
Lagway was the third-ranked overall recruit in the class of 2024 and the top-ranked quarterback in his class by 247Sports. He will be playing his first season at Florida this upcoming season.
#5. USC, 12
USC is tied with Florida with 12 Elite 11 finalists that have played college football for their program. A few of the notable passers who played for the Trojans include Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez, Caleb Williams, Cody Kessler, and Matt Cassel.
Leinart, Kessler, and Williams own three of the top five spots for all-time passing yardage in USC history. Williams was a Heisman Trophy winner at USC in 2022, and Leinart took home the trophy in 2004, the same year USC won the BCS national championship.
Which program do you think has the best list of signed Elite 11 finalists? Let us know in the comments.