Fork Union’s Christian Hackenberg is one of 25 finalists for the Elite 11 quarterback camp held in California in mid-July.
Hackenberg, a Penn State commitment, was featured on the Elite 11 selection show Thursday night on ESPNU at 8 p.m. as the first of the “no-brainers” beyond the initial 12 players invited. The camp, which is considered the country’s top quarterback camp, is held from July 18 through the 22. The events at the camp are filmed for a pair of ESPN specials to be aired August 7 and 14.
“Christian is the kind of kid you build your program around,” said former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer during the special on ESPNU. “Your program is better day one when he steps on campus.”
Dilfer, who currently serves as an analyst on ESPN, also heads up the Elite 11 selection process and camp. Hackenberg appeared to be a unanimous selection and was roundly praised by the selection committee.
“He makes the intermediate throws very well, the short throws very well,” said Elite 11 coach Matt James during the special. “Everything out of the spread is quick, it’s on time, it’s accurate.”
Hackenberg also drew praise from Elite 11 camp director Brian Stumpf.
“He’s terrific on tape, he’s got great arm talent,” Stumpf said.
Fellow Virginia quarterback Ryan Burns of Group AAA Stonebridge, was one of the first two quarterbacks not to make the 25-finalist field according to the show. Late in the show though, Dilfer indicated that Burns likely would’ve made the field but had a commitment he had to honor already, along with one other signal-caller. Dilfer added Shane Cockerille, a Maryland commitment, to make the field 25 instead of the planned 24, in the last portion of the show.
A review of the camp’s history since its 1999 founding indicates that if Hackenberg earned a spot in the final 11, he’d be the first quarterback from Central Virginia to make the list. Phillip Sims, Peter Lalich and Tyrod Taylor are among the quarterbacks from the state who’ve earned the nod.
