After just one season as the starting quarterback at Alter High School, Malik Zaire has separated from the rest of the area’s returning best.

He’s unbeaten in the regular season (10-0), has plenty of postseason and national honors, is verbally committed to the University of Notre Dame and will compete this week in the ESPN RISE’s Elite 11 camp.

But none of that compares to the new artificial turf that the Knights will practice on this season.

“That’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me at Alter so far,” he said. “I’m really grateful for it.”

The Knights’ faithful following can say the same about the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior. He’ll find out this week how he stacks up against the nation’s best senior quarterbacks in the five-day Elite 11 event at Redondo Beach, Calif. The camp begins on Wednesday.

Headed by former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer, the Elite 11 is a made-for-ESPN showcase. Incoming seniors competed at various regional competitions last spring, with winners and other impressive QBs moving on. Despite its name, the event will draw 25 quarterbacks, all Class of 2013 members.

The unique competition is based on a 40-yard dash, shuttle races, skills, a combine, drills and interpreting film sessions, among other things. Players will be graded on each discipline and a No. 1 QB will be named.

ESPN touts that nearly two-thirds of the NFL’s starting QBs this coming season have participated in the camp, including Matthew Stafford (Lions), Mark Sanchez (Jets) and Andrew Luck (Colts).

ESPN will televise the camp in two sessions on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14.

Zaire was runner-up to Shane Morris (Warren, Mich./De La Salle) in the Columbus regional last May. Several days later Zaire received an at-large Elite 11 invite. He has been working out with Knights teammates to prepare ever since.

“That definitely has helped me out a lot with the leadership role and just getting a lot of throws in to get ready for this,” he said. “I do appreciate it.”

Same goes for that new Alter practice field. Zaire will go from the Elite 11 to Alter’s camp on Monday.

“We can definitely have a lot more productive practices on turf than in the mud,” he said, laughing.

Zaire isn’t the only area product who will showcase his skills nationally this summer.

Jalin Marshall (Middletown) and Cameron Burrows (Trotwood-Madison) have been chosen to participate in the Champion Gridiron Kings competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlanda, Fla. They are among 38 high school football players throughout the nation to be chosen for the July 27-29 event. Another 26 participants will be named.

The fourth annual games draw the nation’s top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.

That competition will be televised by ESPNU. Marshall, 6-1, 190, is a senior quarterback. Burrows, also 6-1, 190, is a senior cornerback. Both have verbally committed to Ohio State.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@coxohio.com.