Browning holds first QB camp at Folsom High

Ten years ago, Jake Browning was entering his junior season at Folsom High, coming off an incredible sophomore season when he opened with a 10-touchdown passing performance against Woodcreek High School and ended the season with 63 touchdown passes on his way to becoming the most prolific quarterback in state history in his next two seasons. Now the pro quarterback on the Bengals is giving back to the sport that has given him so much. He held his first quarterback camp in Folsom on Friday. Ten of the area's top quarterbacks were selected to come to the camp, but only eight did. Marino Fragata of Cosumnes Oaks, Bo Gordon at Oak Ridge, Samson Hunkin at St. Mary's, CJ Lee from Jesuit, William Littlejohn from Christian Brothers, Ryder Trantham of Rio Americano and Ryder Lyons of Folsom High participated, as did two other Folsom High quarterbacks in Phoenix Hester and Aiden Lopez. Christian Coronado of Monterey Trail was the tenth quarterback selected to go and was at the camp, but was injured and couldn't play but did watch and learn what Browning was preaching. Browning had some help as Ian Book, the Oak Ridge graduate and Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback also showed up and helped out at the camp, along with Folsom High head football coach Paul Doherty. After showing the players some drills he does as a quarterback to warm up, Browning spent lots of time talking about footwork and working on footwork, hip position and shoulder position while working on various drills for about 45 minutes. Then the players spent the last hour on the field throwing the ball with various exercises and skill work, all focusing on proper mechanics. After about 45 minutes in the weight room discussing a few different exercises that Browning recommended, Browning took about an hour discussing film study. "We touched on coverages and how to watch film, recruiting, quarterback fundamentals and leadership related stuff," Browning said. Browning thought his first quarterback camp went well. "The idea for the camp just came from my own high school career and having Coach Taylor and Fresques and a lot of other guys … I worked hard, but having guys to put me on the right path. I have all these things to do, but then I had those guys telling me here are the best things to be doing: throwing routs on air, for example. "Basically, I wanted to find some good quarterbacks in the area who had reputations for being hard workers and I wanted to tell them, here's the best use of your time. Quarterback play is something I really know a lot about and I've spent a lot of time trying to get better at it. I have a certain comfort level doing it." Three incoming seniors enjoyed the camp. CJ Lee of Jesuit said, "I've learned a lot so far. It's a great camp and I'm blessed to be invited here. I'm just trying to take it all in." Marino Fragata of Cosumnes Oaks said, "It's a good learning experience. It's really helped me improve my mechanics and hopefully to become a better quarterback." Christian Brothers William Littlejohn added, "It's helping me improve my skills. I've learned to use my hips more so I can throw more accurate balls." Folsom High's Ryder Lyons also enjoyed the camp. "It's an awesome experience," Lyons said. "It's cool to see the guys from the other schools and see where you fit in. It's also good to get to know everyone." Browning said he would like to hold the camp every year.