JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There’s one thing that Trevor Lawrence, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson and many other great quarterbacks have in common. They all competed in the Elite 11 competition. It’s held every summer in California where the best high school quarterbacks in the nation compete against each other. Many Elite 11 alums go on to have remarkable careers in college and the NFL.
Now, Mandarin quarterback Tramell Jones is the next young star to receive the prestigious honor.
“All the great quarterbacks that have came through Elite 11,” Jones said. “I think it’s just great to be a part of that core of guys. The guys that are in the NFL right now.”
Jones, who was a first-team All-News4JAX selection last season and a second-teamer in 2022, was also selected as a finalist for the Elite 11 competition. There, he will compete against other quarterbacks from around the country to make the final 11.
“I pretty much picked up on Elite 11 since I was young,” Jones said. “Knowing guys like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young, CJ Stroud. I know CJ Stroud went in underrated and ended up winning the MVP. Now he’s gone on to do great things.”
A lot of area quarterbacks have traveled to California to compete in the Elite 11. But with Jones’ invite, Mandarin High School is the first area school with multiple Elite 11 finalists.
“I know Carson Beck was in the Elite 11 here at Mandarin High School,” Jones said. “That’s something that I want to carry on. I know Jeff Sims, Anthony Richardson, Colin Hurley last year. I think that’s great just to show the tradition here in Jacksonville.”
Jones has one more season before he continues his career at Florida State University. The Elite 11 finalist invite is just one of the many remarkable honors Jones has achieved while under center for the Mustangs, but there is one final goal he has to accomplish.
“Losing state last year, that puts a chip on my shoulder,” Jones said. “I want to go back and win that for my team and for Jacksonville.”
Only five area players have made the cut to the final 11. Nease’s Tim Tebow (2005), Bartram Trail’s Kyle Parker (2007), Mandarin’s Beck and Sandalwood’s Sims (both 2019) have made the final; cut to Elite 11. Other area players (Mac Jones of Bolles, Bartram Trail’s Joey Gatewood, Providence’s Carter Bradley, Camden County’s Brice Ramsey and First Coast’s De’Andre Johnson) have competed in the finals but didn’t make the final 11.