Delta League’s Top 4 Returning Passing Leaders

The Delta League of the Sac-Joaquin section has some impressive starting quarterbacks returning this season. Three out of the league's top four passing leaders from a year ago will be back for their senior seasons. Below is a snapshot of what the top signal-callers from the Delta bring to the table. <strong>Anthony Grigsby Jr. – Cosumnes Oaks – Class of 2021</strong> <em><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/leaders/football-fall-19/offense,passing/california/sac-joaquin+section/stat-leaders.htm?classyear=all&amp;position=all" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2019 Stats</a>: 59.0 completion percentage, 2,713 passing yards, 30 TDs, 12 INTs, 100.1 QB Rating</em> The dual-threat QB was the top passer in the Delta League as a junior, making him one of the top players in the area to watch this season. Grigsby has very little wasted movement on his throwing motion for a quick release, with good zip on his short to intermediate throws over the middle to squeeze the ball into tight windows and throws curl routes with good anticipation. On half side reads, he has good mental processing to find the open receiver and throws deep balls with good accuracy, placing it where only his receiver can get to it. As a runner, the Elk Grove native has good vision to find rushing lanes combined with good acceleration and agility to break second-level defender’s angles and make them miss. He does throw off his back foot even when not facing pressure, which causes him to float deep passes, and he struggles with his accuracy when he’s on the move and his feet aren’t set. Grigsby currently <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Anthony-Grigsby-46097088/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">holds 2 FCS offers</a> from the University of Idaho and Missouri State. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/7914971/Anthony-Grigsby-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hudl Profile</a> <strong>Sean Nixon – Sheldon – Class of 2021</strong> <em><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/sean-nixon/gbRt89rIEeiAxKkkK9HIDg/football/stats.htm#year=19-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2019 Stats</a>: 55.6 completion percentage, 1,766 passing yards, 12 TDs, 3 INTs, 90.0 QB Rating</em> Nixon is a quarterback who is at his best when the play breaks down. He has good agility, quickness, and balance in the pocket to keep plays alive and keeps his eyes downfield when scrambling. Whether he's rolling to the left or right, he throws with good accuracy on the run, consistently hitting receivers in the chest and placing the ball away from defenders. From a clean pocket, the Sacramento native continues to display good accuracy which is especially apparent on his deep passes, keeping the ball away from defensive backs' reach yet still catchable for the wideout. Nixon has a lean frame that he can afford to add some size and strength to, which should improve his arm strength and take his game to the next level. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9865239/Sean-Nixon" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hudl Profile</a> <strong>Luke Carrell – Davis – Class of 2021</strong> <em><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/luke-carrell/wxgC-B6qEeiT-Oz0u-e-FA/football/stats.htm#year=19-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2019 Stats</a>: 50.6 completion percentage, 1,692 passing yards, 19 TDs, 5 INTs, 115.7 QB Rating</em> Carrell is more of a pocket passer who has some impressive arm strength and mental processing. Against zone coverage, he's good at reading the coverage to find the holes and has a quick release with good arm strength to fit the ball into tight windows. He also has solid timing to throw with anticipation against man coverage, and he has solid accuracy when his feet are set, consistently hitting receivers in the chest or on the back shoulder. The lefty's arm strength also allows him to push the ball down the field. Carrell does have some room for growth when throwing on the run as he has a tendency to miss low or behind receivers when scrambling, but his arm strength is something any coach at the next level would be willing to work with. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/7943395/Luke-Carrell" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hudl Profile</a> <strong>Denzen Cortez – Davis – Class of 2021</strong> <em><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/denzen-cortez/ANA34oYEEeiAyNdjx8XCRA/football/stats.htm#year=19-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2019 Stats</a>: 45.5 completion percentage, 251 passing yards, 12.6 yards per attempt</em> Franklin High was more of a running team last season and Cortez started the year as a backup so he doesn’t have a bunch of eye-popping stats, but he did show plenty of good qualities as a junior. Cortez has good quick footwork on his drops and a good feel for pressure with good agility and quickness to keep plays alive with his feet. On the run, he has enough play strength to complete short to intermediate passes through contact and has good accuracy when scrambling. The Wildcat also has some impressive speed and athletic ability to be able to make plays with his feet. If Cortez can shorten up his release and add some arm strength to throw the ball deep, he could surprise some people in the Delta League this season. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10000208/Denzen-Cortez/videos" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hudl Profile</a>