California high school football: 25 Sac-Joaquin Section players to watch

By Staff Report Mar 5, 2021, 2:30pm

Monterey Trail's Prophet Brown leads a star-studded list ready for spring football.

The season will be short, but that just means the time to shine will be magnified. The high school football season in the Sac-Joaquin Section kicks off in a week and there's no shortage of talent ready to pad up.

And in a season like no other, the opportunity to hone the skills for the college-bound players as well as those still looking to make their mark is a delight for all fans of the Friday Night Lights.

The section is chock full of playmakers and game-breakers and these are 25 of the best.
Nathan Lewis, Jesuit
Nathan Lewis, Jesuit
File photo by Ralph Thompson
25 Sac-Joaquin Section football players to watch

Cole Becker | Rocklin
Senior | K | 6-3, 205 | Colorado

The future Buffalo is the No. 14 kicker in his class, according to 247Sports. He was perfect in PATs and 14-of-15 in field goal attempts with a long of 45 yards. He had 30 touchbacks on kickoff, nearly 50 percent.



Jomarion Briggs | Lincoln (Stockton)
Junior | WR/CB | 6-1, 161 | Fresno State

A playmaker on both sides of the ball, Briggs logged 27 tackles as a sophomore and should take on a bigger role for the Trojans this season.

Prophet Brown | Monterey Trail (Elk Grove)
Senior | ATH | 6-0, 180 | USC

A dynamic playmaker, Brown is a matchup nightmare. He's the No. 10-ranked player in California, according to 247Sports.

Zeke Burnett | Elk Grove
Junior | RB | 5-11, 190 | Undecided

The Capital Christian transfer ran for just over 1,000 yards last season and should help the Thundering Herd fill the void left by Carter Harris.

Vincent Carter | Granite Bay
Senior | OT | 6-5, 250 | Undecided

Carter has moved up to 3-star status by 247Sports. The 6-foot-5 offensive tackle will be another elite player in the Sierra Foothill League.

Jonah Coleman | Lincoln (Stockton)
Junior | RB | 5-8, 205 | Arizona

The multi-purpose back ran for nearly 1,600 yards and 30 scores last season. The 34th-ranked player in California, according to 247Sports, has speed and size to run through contact.

Nicholas Coronado | Kimball (Tracy)
Junior | QB | 5-10, 150 | Undecided

He threw for 2,625 yards and 25 touchdowns for the 5-6 Jaguars. He completed 65 percent of his passes while averaging 238 yards per game.

Justin Eklund | Folsom
Junior | OLB | 6-3, 220 | Undecided

A three-star linebacker has been offered by Arizona State and Idaho.

Chase Esty | Placer (Auburn)
Senior | T/DE | 6-3, 300 | Undecided

The two-star tackle helped pave the way for a Hillmen rushing committee that gained almost 3,800 yards on the ground.

Anthony Garcia | Capital Christian (Sacramento)
Junior | QB | 6-3, 175 | Undecided

The three-star dual-threat has an offer to play for Army.

Ilaisa Gonebure | Rocklin
Senior | DT | 6-5, 290 | San Diego State

The three-star logged 116 tackles while at Capital Christian and chose the Aztecs over 12 other schools.



Anthony Grigsby | Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
Senior | QB | 5-10, 185 | Undecided

The two-star dual threat threw for 2,700 yards and 30 scores for the 8-4 Wolfpack.

Jahzon Jacks | St. Mary's (Stockton)
Junior | DE | 6-4, 260 | Fresno State

The three-star is ranked 101st in the state and logged 40 tackles last season for the Rams.

Keleki Latu | Jesuit (Carmichael)
Senior | TE | 6-6, 205 | Cal

The three-star has the frame to excel at the next level. He's the 54th-ranked tight end nationally by 247Sports.

Julius Lewis | Central Catholic (Modesto)
Senior | DT | 6-6, 290 | Fresno State

The Fresno State commit is another big-time player from Central Catholic.

Nathan Lewis | Jesuit
Senior | ATH | 6-4, 200 | San Jose State

The No. 139 athlete nationally by 247Sports chose to stay close to home and play for the Spartans.

Jadyn Marshall | St. Mary's
Junior | WR | 6-1, 180 | Undecided

The four-star receiver has 13 offers after a catching 68 passes for 1,128 yards and nine scores for the Rams.

Jake Melander | Folsom
Senior | DL | 6-0, 270 | Undecided
A beast in the trenches, Melander had 50 tackles and six sacks in 12 games last season. He'll need to have a big season to help ease the loss of senior cornerback Kaleb Higgins, who enrolled early at Cal.



Ethan Menezes | Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Senior | RB/MLB | 6-0, 185 | Undecided

Helped the Eagles to a 9-3 mark last season rushing for 1,859 yards and 17 TDs.

Sean Myles | Oakmont (Roseville)
Senior | LB | 5-10, 180 | Undecided

Logged 160 tackles for the 6-5 Vikings. He had double-digit take downs in all but one game last season.

Moses Oladejo | Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
Senior | OLB | 6-2, 210 | Cal

Three-star backer with 84 tackles last season for the Wolfpack.

Michael Otterstedt | Vacaville
Senior | LB | 6-4, 200 | Cal Poly

A two-sport athlete, the future Mustang played both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs while logging 43 tackles.

Jabari Phillips | Golden Valley (Merced)
Senior | RB | 5-9, 175 | Undecided

Ran for more than 1,1600 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 10th best-rusher in the section runs can flat out play.

Kimoni Stanley | Sierra (Manteca)
Senior | RB | 5-8, 185 | Undecided

Led the section with 2,024 yards rushing, reaching the end zone 33 times. He averaged almost 10 yards per carry.

Junior | QB | 5-10, 170 | Undecided
Will take over the reigns for All-Metro senior quarterback Ari Patu, who enrolled early at Stanford.