Elijah Haven is the top ranked player in the Class of 2027 according to 247sports. The Dunham School quarterback also stars on the basketball court and has coaches from all over the country interested.
LSU offered the sophomore a scholarship two weeks ago.
Haven joined 104.5 ESPN’s Matt Moscona on After Further Review on Thursday. Here are the highlights from that conversation.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:
When did you realize “I’m really good”?
I guess first game against Parkview. A pretty good game, I guess. I came into the game cool, calm and collected. I prepared very well. I was in a flow. I wasn’t very nervous or anything
When did you start to grow?
I’ve always been the tallest in my class, for sure. I guess it was just kind of continuous. It was never really one big spurt. I was always just the tallest in my class
What position do you play in basketball?
Pretty much everywhere. I can play the point, but they also need me, I’m one of the tallest guys on the team, so they need me to get down there, play down low, get rebounds. Whatever the team needs, I got it.
What is a day like for you, 15, a high school starting quarterback?
Normal day I get up and get ready, usually during the week I meet with our (offensive coordinator) Jeff Hand just to see what the opponent is doing defensively. We see what, offensively, are the best plays that we can run. I meet with him in the morning. Then I have school from about 8:00 to 3:15. Then we have practice for about two and half hours. Then I go home and (do) homework. Then shower and try to get into bed about 10 or 10:30.
Does recruiting add more to your plate?
A little bit. I’m always talking to coaches. I’m actually talking to a Michigan coach after this (interview). Recruiting has been a blessing for me. I’m very thankful for all the coaches that have looked into me. That’s definitely added a little to my plate, but I’m just honored to be able to talk to these coaches and build great relationships with them.
247sports named you the No. 1 player for 2027. You see that. What’s your thought?
I feel like it’s easy to get a big head after something like that. I just try to stay humble and thank God for everything that He’s done for me. Thank my parents for supporting me through all this. I try to stay grounded through all this. It’s easy to lose sight of yourself and start bragging that you’re the No. 1 player. Just trying to stay humble and thank God for putting me in this position in the first place.
Did they tell you you were going to be the No. 1 player?
Yeah, they called me.
I would imagine when that happened that your social media started blowing up, that more coaches started calling you. Walk me through that.
It was pretty crazy. Social media was definitely blowing up. Coaches, I think after the ranking came out, Auburn started contacting me. It’s just the full cycle. Social media was blowing up. Instagram, Twitter and then you know the recruiting part. Coaches, they hear about the No. 1 player they obviously want to try to get to know him and build a relationship with him. But it was definitely a crazy process.
Is it distracting in the middle of a season?
A little bit, I would definitely say a little bit, but I try not to lose focus on what’s really important, and that’s the team. It can definitely creep in. Social media being such a big outlet in the world now. I just try to stay away from it as much as I can, not let it get to my mind. I don’t want to let it distract me from the way I play the game. Just kind of staying away from it and being the best player I can.
Do you want to continue playing basketball your entire high school career?
I do think there’s a point where I do specialize, but definitely this year and probably next year I’m going to stick it out playing basketball. I started loving basketball when I was about eight years old, so it’s something I love to do. So, I’m definitely going to continue to play. I think around senior year I’ll maybe make a decision in what sport I want to play, but right now I’m just enjoying the moment in high school and taking it full throttle.
Who’s your favorite team?
Basketball? Uh, the Pels…
Did you grow up an LSU fan?
I did, pretty much.
Have you gotten to meet Brian Kelly or any of the staff yet?
I have. I’ve talked to Coach Kelly a little bit, and then most of my talks have been with Coach Sloan.
What have been your impressions of Coach Sloan?
Great coach. He tries to get to know my family and me as a person, not just me as an athlete and football player. Definitely appreciate that from him. He started recruiting me about last year, so we’re building a great relationship ever since. He checks up on me and sees how I’m doing on and off the field. Just a great coach. I would love to play for him one day. Just want to keep building that relationship.
What’s it like for you, a kid from Baton Rouge, to be able to go down on the field in Tiger Stadium?
I guess you can say a dream come true. You just watch LSU and players like Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, and it’s just a blessing to have the opportunity to be a recruit and be able to go see coaches like Joe Sloan and Coach Kelly. Very thankful to God for putting me in the position, and everything. I’m just thankful for everything He’s blessed me with. Growing up as a little kid and being in this position now. I’m just grateful.
How did LSU offer you a scholarship?
I was actually at, because we played on Thursday Ascension Catholic, I was actually at a football game at Dutchtown, and (Joe Sloan) gave me the call, and he was just telling me how proud he was. Said we did it right. They didn’t rush into him offering me or anything like that but we built a relationship. He said he was honored to offer me. I was ecstatic.
Have you made any other visits? Have you started that process yet?
I was actually just at Bama for the Bama-Georgia game last weekend. That was a great game to be a part of for sure.
Are you building relationships with class of 2027 guys? Who are some of the guys you’re starting to get to know?
Trent Seaborn from Alabama. He was at LSU vs. UCLA, and he was also at Alabama-Georgia so he’s definitely one of those guys. Mark Bowman out of Mater Dai in LA was a tight end I met at Bama. Trae Taylor is out of Illinois or Michigan. He also got an offer from LSU on Friday, so definitely some guys in 2027 class I’m trying to build relationships with right now.
How many formal offers do you have right now?
Eight
Have doctors told you how tall they think you’re going to be?
I think I’m about done.
Have you thought about physically where you need development?
In terms of physically, I feel like I’m pretty good right now. I just need to grow into my body. In terms of football, continue to sharpen my mechanics throwing-wise. There were definitely some throws last week I wanted back. Continue to get better in that, but physically I feel pretty good. 6’4” 210.
What types of skills are you sharpening
“I feel like it’s a play with physical and mental. Obviously reads and knowing where to go with the football so you’re able to make an accurate throw. Physically training and working on your mechanics. Muscle memory. Making those throws. Feeling it.
Does 7-on-7 help that?
A little bit. Especially for me. I can get lackadaisical with my footwork and I kind of just, no rush, you don’t have to move in the pocket or anything, but 7-on-7 definitely helps seeing those throws and making those accurate passes.
