Top San Diego Section Quarterbacks (6-10)

When people talk about Southern California high school football they usually discuss the CIF-Southern Section. It’s likely because the Southern Section consists of seven counties ranging as north as San Luis Obispo and as south as Orange County. People often neglect to discuss the great football played in the San Diego Section. Fortunately, college recruiters haven’t neglected the section and have recruited players like Reggie Bush, Kenny Stills and Jamar Taylor. There are very talented signal callers in San Diego heading into the 2020-2021 season. Last week, I wrote about the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/07/top-5-san-diego-section-quarterbacks/">top five returning quarterbacks down south</a>, and here’s a look at the next best returning quarterbacks in the most southern county of the state. <strong>10. Elijah Ortiz, Patrick Henry, San Diego, 2022</strong> Ortiz is the least proven quarterback on this list but because of the coaching staff and offensive weapons he has, he makes the list. Patrick Henry High had 62 touchdowns last season and its quarterbacks threw for 3,233 yards and 40 touchdowns. Patriots’ coach JT O’Sullivan had a nice NFL career as a backup and runs the popular "The QB School" channel on YouTube. Pairing Ortiz with running back Elijaih Lux and receiver Kai Jessie in O’Sullivan’s offense is a recipe for success. Ortiz has an effortless release and an athletic frame. He transferred to Henry from Grossmont where he succeeded at the lower levels. This is an upside pick. https://twitter.com/ElijahOrtizQB7/status/1286112670190428160?s=20 <strong>9. Richard Colmenero III, St. Augustine, San Diego, 2021</strong> Colmenero had a very good year for St. Augustine in 2019 after transferring from Eastlake High in Chula Vista. He was not the full time starter for the Saints but completed 55 percent of his passes 1298 yards and 15 touchdowns. Colmenero put himself on the map his sophomore year at Easlake when he threw for 2,111 yards and 24 touchdowns and led the Titans to a 10-2 record. He will be the lone quarterback at St. Augustine this year and will certainly garner some offers. <strong>8. Carson Taumoepeau, Mt. Carmel, San Diego, 2021</strong> The last time Taumoepeau played football he threw for 547 yards and four touchdowns in a playoff loss to Central. He has been excellent in local 7-on-7 tournaments for the past few years and he produced on the field last fall. He is 6-foot-3, athletic and shows poise in the pocket. Taumoepeau has offers from Idaho, Southern Oregon and Valparaiso and will certainly garner some more during his senior season. https://twitter.com/jtamoe46/status/1274406619816714240?s=20 <strong>7. Jacob Laverdiere, Mount Miguel, Spring Valley, 2021</strong> Laverdiere has the second most yards of any returning quarterback in the county behind [player_tooltip player_id="25025" first="Tyler" last="Buchner"]. He completed 61 percent of his passes for over 300 yards per game and 32 touchdowns for the Matadors last season. Laverdiere also ran for 18 touchdowns last season and throws the ball well on the run. He was involved in 50 of the team’s 55 touchdowns and Mount Miguel will likely largely depend on him again this season. <strong>6. Jakob Harris, Oceanside, Oceanside, 2021</strong> Harris is a big lefty at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and he specializes in big plays. He had 11 passes for 35 yards and had a 51-yard touchdown pass in the CIF championship game against Lincoln. He threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a semifinal win against Madison and held his own against Corona del Mar in the state playoffs, led by Washington signee Ethan Garbers. Harris’ ability to move in the pocket and make big throws will garner some recruiting interest this season. https://twitter.com/sdfootball/status/1201006241008349184?s=20