Southern California Top Defensive Performances: Week 2
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Hero Kanu Hero Kanu 6'5" | 295 lbs | DL Santa Margarita Catholic | 2022 State CA , Santa Margarita, 2022 Kanu is a 16-year old prospect who rapidly rose to national recruit status last season. He had only played…
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Continue ReadingHero Kanu Hero Kanu 6'5" | 295 lbs | DL Santa Margarita Catholic | 2022 State CA , Santa Margarita, 2022
Kanu is a 16-year old prospect who rapidly rose to national recruit status last season. He had only played five games in his life prior to this season but impressed everyone at camps and showcases. Kanu was good on the field for Santa Margarita in a crucial win over St. Augustine of San Diego last week with three tackles for a loss.
A little more of Santa Margarita Eagles defensive lineman Hero Kanu @HeroKanu from pregame. pic.twitter.com/x60zfFBgBE
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) August 27, 2021
Daimon Pine, Rancho Mirage, 2022
Pine is off to a hot start for Rancho Mirage and is a very underrated pass rusher. He had two sacks in a shutout win against Tahquitz and two forced fumbles. He also had two sacks the previous week against Indio. Rancho Mirage has a stellar defense and Pine is one of its better player.
I miss it 😢 pic.twitter.com/327Pr4h1CV
— daimon pine (@daimonpine6) April 19, 2020
Zac Sheets, Nordhoff, 2022
Nordhoff suffered its first loss of the season and the hands of Santa Ynez, but the defense played well, allowing only 10 points. Sheets has been the star of Nordhoff’s defense for awhile and had another great game. The senior had 24 tackles, three for a loss and four hurries. He also forced a fumble and had two pass deflections. I don’t think he is a high-caliber college prospect, but he is one heck of a high school player. He could definitely be a quality Division 3 player.
Nordhoff LB Zac Sheets is in the POTW for his historic offensive catch and run, but here he is doing what we’re used to him doing — making plays on defense — with the TFL against Santa Ynez @CoachLancewigg @NordhoffSports @Zsheets23 pic.twitter.com/z1f0PH595j
— VCS Preps (@vcspreps) September 9, 2021
Treyton White Treyton White 6'1" | 230 lbs | LB Eastlake | 2022 State CA , Eastlake, 2022
Eastlake had a huge win against a quality Orange County team in La Habra. For those who are unaware, San Diego teams don’t generally fare well against good Orange County teams. White and the Eastlake defense were outstanding, holding La Habra to 14 points. He was in the backfield all game with five sacks and three additional hurries. White is one of the top 10 players in San Diego and has offers from San Diego State and Northern Arizona.
https://twitter.com/aedmondstv/status/1433177964938612736?s=20
Juju Zamudio, Garfield, 2024
It’s not often that LA City Section players make these lists, but the Garfield defense played very well in a win against Jefferson and deserves to have a guy on this list. Zamudio led the Bulldogs in tackles with 12, had three sacks and a forced fumble. He is a guy to keep an eye on in the City Section for the next two years.
Other top performers:
Nathaniel Alarcon, California
Alex Arroyo, Roosevelt (Los Angeles)
Trevor Bananal, Mt. Carmel
Niko Banuelos, Rosemead
Tayvion Beasley Tayvion Beasley 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , St. John Bosco
Guy Bellingrath, Westlake
Dane Benedix Dane Benedix 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Capistrano Valley | 2023 State CA , Capistrano Valley
Angel Bernal, Rosemead
Sinn Brennan Sinn Brennan 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Los Alamitos | 2023 State CA , Los Alamitos
Sean Brown, Simi Valley
Jayden Cortell, Eastlake
Matthew Erhart Matthew Erhart 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Oaks Christian | 2023 State CA , Oaks Christian
Abel Flores, Rancho Mirage
Michael Flores, California
Samuel Gbatu Samuel Gbatu 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Temecula Valley | 2022 State CA Jr., Temecula Valley
Battle Gideons, St. Margaret’s
Austin Grbic, Edison
Tyler Gregg, Santa Ynez
Jake Higgins, Mission Viejo
Hunter Ledesma, Mt. Carmel
Cade Mahaffey, Aliso Niguel
Jeremie Mcgurn, Jordan (Long Beach)
Weston Port Weston Port 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB San Juan Hills | 2025 State CA , San Juan Hills
Brian Roberts, Lincoln
Cole Robertson, San Clemente
David Saldivar, San Ysidro
Gabriel Sanchez, Legacy
Jairus Satele Jairus Satele 6'1" | 300 lbs | DL St. John Bosco | 2022 State CA , St. John Bosco
Patrick Sodl Patrick Sodl 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Loyola | 2022 State CA , Loyola
JP Synnott, Capistrano Valley Christian
Paul Villafana, Barstow
Jayden Virgin Jayden Virgin 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Mt. Carmel | 2022 State CA , Mt. Carmel
Tate Zimmerman, Irvine