Penn State QB commit Ethan Grunkemeyer lights up Elite 11 day one

In recent years, Penn State football has felt that it has found “diamonds in the rough” at the quarterback position. Drew Allar was a three-star prospect when he committed to the Nittany Lions before eventually becoming the country’s No.1 QB recruit. A similar path could be in store for recent Penn State QB commit Ethan Grunkemeyer. That upward trajectory could start this week, as Grunkemeyer put on an impressive performance at day one of the Elite 11 finals. 

Ethan Grunkemeyer named Elite 11 finals day one MVP

Each year, the top high school recruits under center compete in the Elite 11 QB competition. Over the last decade, several Penn State QBs have participated in the Elite 11 finals, including Christian Hackenberg, Sean Clifford, and Drew Allar. This week, recently committed prospect Ethan Grunkemeyer is partaking in the 2023 finals in Southern California

Grunkemeyer has impressed the talent evaluators in attendance through one day of competition. Last night, the recruiting service On3 named Grunkemeyer its day one MVP. “Penn State commit Ethan Grunkemeyer made his presence felt very early on at day one of the Elite 11 Finals,” On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote. “His arm jumped out from the first drill. The football came out of his hand with noticeable velocity. We thought he consistently had the most juice on his throws of any Elite 11 Finalist on Wednesday evening.”

Penn State QB commit Ethan Grunkemeyer has been showing off a big arm so far @Elite11 Finals https://t.co/4VU1uJLlle @SeanFitzOn3 @RyanSnyderOn3 pic.twitter.com/Arb3Trrvir

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) June 15, 2023

Power went on to note that Grunkemeyer finished second in the rail competition, which requires QBs to make difficult throws down the sideline (see below). With all eyes on him, Grunkemeyer hit big-time throws repeatedly, according to Power. “The arm talent and overall performance from start to finish made the Nittany Lions pledge the consensus top choice for On3 MVP on Wednesday,” the writeup concluded.

Penn State QB commit Ethan Grunkemeyer a finalist in @Elite11 Finals rail shot competition https://t.co/4VU1uJKNvG pic.twitter.com/4UP4yA9r8p

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) June 15, 2023

Penn State football may have found another hidden gem at QB

The meteoric rise of Drew Allar up national recruiting rankings has been well documented in recent years. Many feel that new Penn State QB commit Ethan Grunkemeyer could do the same thing. Grunkemeyer is currently a consensus three-star prospect, according to the major recruiting outlets.

Grunkemeyer has more in common with Allar beyond being undervalued early in the recruiting process. In addition to hailing from Ohio, both QBs share the same personal coach, Brad Maendler. Allar has long credited Maendler with revolutionizing his throwing motion and turning him into a top recruit.

#PennState bound passer Ethan Grunkemeyer with the dot. pic.twitter.com/xvIMW4pxQy

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) June 15, 2023

Many in the recruiting industry feel that a similar climb up the rankings could be in store for Grunkemeyer during his senior season. Grunkemeyer possesses the arm talent of a major QB recruit. More importantly, the young QB has shown through day one of the Elite 11 finals that he can perform when the lights are on him. This week very well could be the start of Grunkemeyer’s ascension to become one of the top QB recruits in the nation.

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