Campbell quarterback to go up against nation’s top prospects at prestigious competition

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Twenty of the country’s top high school quarterbacks are gearing up for the Elite 11 Finals next week, the nation’s premier prep QB competition.

Campbell quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele has been chosen.

Hawaii hasn’t been represented in the competition since 2016 when Tua Tagovaiola won it all.

The 6′3 lefty QB led the Sabers with 37 touchdowns and over 3,700 yards last season, before falling to Mililani in the OIA-Open semifinals.

To qualify for the Elite 11 Finals, Sagapolutele had to wow scouts at the regional event.

“It’s just definitely an honor because coming from Hawaii, it’s rare to see these big time things happening so I definitely say it’s very surreal for me and I’m just grateful for every opportunity I get,” Sagapolutele told Hawaii News Now.

Campbell football head coach Darren Johnson added: “He’s such an exception but when you see him in person it changes your whole outcome of him and you gotta see him live every time somebody comes here they go ‘wow’ and I go ‘I told you man, this is the guy.’”

In the Elite 11 Finals, players are given a playbook ahead of time and after three days of drills and competition, an MVP is named.

Twenty-eight of the 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks were once in his shoes, including Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and CJ Stroud.

“It’s always been my dream to make it the NFL and to be able to play on the highest caliber so it’d just be a great blessing for me and my family,” said Sagapolutele.

Johnson added: “He always wants to work because he’s scared somebody else is going to be working harder than him, he just got to keep being Jaron and keep doing his work.”

The Ewa Beach native remains uncommitted, but plans to make a decision before August.

While he has offers from a handful of West Coast programs like Oregon State, Nevada and Boise State, he hopes the competition will bring more exposure from other Power Five schools.

“I try not to focus on all the noise, the outside noise, and definitely just try to enjoy as much time as I have before I’m off to college,” said Sagapolutele.

The Elite 11 Finals begin June 18 in Los Angeles — and after that, Sagapolutele says he’s focused on leading the Sabers to a state championship run.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.