New Alabama QB commitment impresses with arm strength, touch at Elite 11

New Alabama QB commitment Jett Thomalla, who flipped from Iowa State to the Crimson Tide earlier in the week, had an impressive overall showing at the Elite 11.
Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

New Alabama QB commitment Jett Thomalla, who flipped his pledge from Iowa State to Alabama earlier in the week, had a strong performance at the Elite 11. His performance is likely to send him moving up recruiting rankings as right now based on measurables and production, the 4-star recruit is underrated.

Thomalla had an up-and-down first day at the Elite 11, but settled in on Wednesday and Thursday. He didn't win the MVP like Keelon Russell did a year ago, but he still opened some eyes with his ability to make all the throws.

Thomalla was praised for his arm strength, poise, and an effortless touch he can put on throws.

On day two, Thomalla completed 18-of-20 throws during the combine event. On Thursday's 7-on-7 portion, Thomalla went 14-of-21 with four touchdowns and one interception. According to both On3 and 247, Thomalla was one of the 10 best quarterbacks in attendance. On3 ranked him 10th, with 247 slightly higher on him at No. 7.

Thomalla currently sits at No. 232 overall in the composite rankings, sitting as the No. 16 overall QB.

Jett Thomalla looks like another impressive QB evaluation by the Alabama staff

The Kalen DeBoer-led Alabama staff has plenty of strengths. Evaluating QBs might be the most impressive of the bunch.

Previously, DeBoer, OC Ryan Grubb, and QB coach Nick Sheridan found and developed Michael Penix Jr. at Indiana and then at Washington. Penix became one of the nation's best quarterbacks in Seattle before he was drafted 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Last year, prior to the Elite 11, where he became a household name, the Tide staff found a diamond in the rough named Keelon Russell. They successfully flipped him from SMU, and then Russell went on to win MVP at the Elite 11 before putting together a dominant senior season of high school football. Russell saw a meteoric rise in the recruiting rankings after that, finishing as a 5-star and the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 class.

It may not be realistic to see Thomalla make a Russell-like rise in the rankings, but one thing seems for sure that he is being underrated by most services. At a listed 6-foot-5 and with a big, live arm, Thomalla has all the tools to be star at the QB position.

It takes confidence - and a sense of patience - for Thomalla to be willing to follow Russell in Tuscaloosa.

Thomalla will be a big recruiter for Alabama this weekend as he takes his official visit to Alabama, as DeBoer and company look to make a big recruiting run.