Ortiz measures in at 5’10 198-pounds in his 2^nd year starting for Denver West. He went 73/146 for 1238 yards, 50% completion rate, 19 TDs, 9 INT, 46 carries for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ortiz has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, balance, good speed, and change of direction. He has good throw power with a good release. Good progression speed, going through his reads and finding the open man. Very good touch on his throws. Ortiz has very good ball placement skills. He’ll stay poised under pressure using his very good scramble ability to get out of trouble. I’m interested to see how Ortiz continues his development.

Having to adjust their entire offensive gameplan with his #1 weapon out, Marcelo Ortiz Marcelo Ortiz 5'10" | 200 lbs | QB/LB Denver West | 2027 State CO rose to the task leading the Cowboys to the victory.  The main thing that stood out to me was how smooth his drop back footwork was.  West was very aware of the lethal pass rush of Brogan Palmer Brogan Palmer 6'5" | 230 lbs | EDGE/TE Highland | 2026 State CO and Co, and opened the game with a lot of quick game. Ortiz’s 3-step drops were very clean, showing his ability to hit the back of his drop and the ball is out – not needing to reset his feet and take extra steps. A lot of these quick game throws were access throws requiring some pre-snap processing from Ortiz who is only a JR.  He was also a big threat with his legs on QB draws and on option plays, making some gutsy runs between the tackles making sure to stay low and limit any free shots to the body.  Leading the 3 headed rushing attack of himself and Cowboy RBs Freddy Lucero Freddy Lucero 5'5" | 135 lbs | DB/RB Denver West | 2026 State CO (#3), Abu Hossain (#8, SO), Ortiz drove them up and down the field capping off the day with the game winning TD in OT to Ernest Fields at the back of the endzone leading to Marcelo receiving the game MVP.

Ortiz is a left handed gunslinger who excels in the timing passing game. He is at his best when he reaches the top of his drop, driving off his back foot to deliver accurate, quick throws. Last season, he threw for 622 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions, demonstrating solid decision making. However, accuracy will be an area of focus, as he completed just 37% of his passes. Ortiz is also a capable runner, adding 293 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His speed and elusiveness make him a threat outside the pocket, and if he can refine his accuracy, he has the potential to surprise teams in 2A.