Derrick Baker Named First Team Elite All-American
Tennessee Commit Earns National Recognition as One of America's Premier Dual-Threat Quarterbacks
Elite All-American First Team Selection
Elite All-American recognizes only twenty-two First Team selections nationwide following a comprehensive evaluation of the country's premier high school football players.
Selection is based upon on-field production, performance against elite competition, football character, leadership, positional excellence, and long-term projection.
Being named First Team Elite All-American represents one of the highest honors awarded annually by Elite All-American.
Great quarterbacks do more than complete passes.
They elevate everyone around them.
That ability has helped establish Derrick Baker as one of the nation's premier quarterback prospects and earned him First Team Elite All-American recognition.
Following years of competing at some of the country's most respected football programs and against elite national competition, Baker distinguished himself throughout the Elite All-American evaluation process with his leadership, toughness, physical tools, and ability to create plays both inside and outside the pocket.
Already committed to the University of Tennessee, Baker enters his senior season as one of the nation's most intriguing dual-threat quarterbacks.
Why Elite All-American Selected Him
Elite All-American's evaluation process places a premium on quarterbacks who consistently demonstrate leadership while thriving against elite competition.
Baker repeatedly showcased those qualities.
His combination of size, physicality, mobility, and football intelligence allows him to attack defenses in multiple ways. Whether extending drives with his legs, delivering throws from the pocket, or creating opportunities after plays break down, Baker consistently displayed the complete skill set expected from one of the country's premier signal callers.
His ability to command an offense, compete under pressure, and elevate those around him made him one of the clearest First Team selections during the inaugural Elite All-American evaluation.
Friday Night Football
Baker's high school career has provided a unique path through two of the nation's premier football programs.
After beginning his varsity career at St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida, he transferred to Milton High School in Georgia prior to his junior season.
Although a hand injury limited much of that campaign, Baker demonstrated his toughness by returning to lead the offense when healthy.
Career Highlights
- 2023 Freshman — 442 passing yards · 6 passing touchdowns · 150 rushing yards · 1 rushing touchdown
- 2024 Sophomore — 100 passing yards · 2 passing touchdowns · 78 rushing yards · 3 rushing touchdowns
- 2025 Junior — Returned from injury · Continued development against Georgia's highest level of competition
National Evaluation
Competing with Cam Newton's C1N 7v7 program and the Elite 11 Regional Series, Baker consistently demonstrated command of the offense, composure under pressure, and the ability to create explosive plays when protection broke down.
Recruiting Journey
Baker earned 28 scholarship offers, including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, and South Carolina.
On June 5, 2026, he committed to Tennessee.
Looking Ahead
Elite All-American proudly recognizes Derrick Baker as a First Team Elite All-American, honoring both his accomplishments and the standard he has established among the nation's premier high school football players.
Player Snapshot
- Position: Quarterback
- Team: First Team
- High School: Milton High School
- City: Milton, Georgia
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 226 lbs
- Class: 2027
- National Competition: Cam Newton's C1N · Elite 11 Regional
- College Commitment: Tennessee
Elite All-American Evaluation
Derrick Baker earned First Team Elite All-American recognition because he consistently demonstrated leadership, toughness, football intelligence, athletic versatility, and the ability to perform against elite competition. His complete body of work established him as one of only three quarterbacks selected to the inaugural First Team.
