QB guru George Whitfield was surrounded by talented high school signal-callers at this weekend’s Elite 11 finals in Los Angeles, but he offered the highest praise for Alabama commit Tua Tagovailoa.

“Through a very rigorous process, a thousand plus quarterbacks (are) evaluated, two dozen drop in here and he outshines the two dozen,” Whitfield told 247Sports’ Luke Stampini. “It just feels like Coach Saban and the Tide got a steal, which is weird that they would steal something, but they got a steal with him.”

While Whitfield calls Tagovailoa a “steal,” it’s not as though the Alabama pledge has flown under the radar. 247Sports composite rankings have the Honolulu, Hawaii product as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback of the class and No. 58 prospect overall.

Twenty four quarterbacks, as Whitfield referenced, were at this weekend’s competition camp hoping to earn one of the 12 spots in the Elite 11 finals (yes, 12 invitees). BamaOnLine’s Hank South reports that Tagovailoa lit up 7-on-7 competition, going 12-of-13 passing with five touchdowns.

Whitfield called him the camp’s standout performer.

“I was impressed, probably most impressed with him. You know, you watch him on film and get an idea then you can’t wait to see how real is that.”

Tagovailoa will find out today at noon if he is named to the Elite 11. From Whitfield’s comments, it sure sounds like the Alabama pledge can plan on making a July trip to Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.