Prospect Spotlight: Alex Vazquez (2022)

The Lakeville South Cougars had a dream season in 2021. They finished the season as an undefeated state champion. Along the way, they were likely the most dominant team in the state. Eleven of their thirteen wins were by more than one score. One of the players who was all over the field during the Cougars' dominance was <strong>Alex Vazquez</strong>. His season started and finished strong, and now his recruiting is beginning to heat up. "The season was a blast," Vazquez said. "We have all played together since 5th grade, which made us good as a team. We had such a strong bond. We have only lost two or three games our entire career and had so many athletes. I couldn't have asked for a better brotherhood." The Cougars' offense has been one of the most explosive units the last two seasons. That excitement started by being – well – boring. "We had tons of repetitions with our bread-and-butter plays," Vazquez said. "We would run the same six to ten plays every day in practice. It got old, but that is what made us so successful. Across our offensive and defensive lines, every guy can squat over 400 pounds. We were physically strong and athletic across the line. We didn't pass much, but our passing game was underrated." Physically strong is how Vazquez would classify the entire defense. "We only had two guys on defense that couldn't squat 400 pounds. We only had two guys that ran more than a five-flat forty. We could rally to the ball, and our defense would overcome adversity and pick each other up." The senior didn't get much playing time as a junior, and it had nothing to do with COVID. "I would rotate as a junior. I knew this year was going to be my year. I am a versatile athlete. (As a senior) I played kicker, punter, offensive guard, and defensive line. I don't have the best stats, but I had the most minutes of anyone on the team." Most of his recruiting interest has come on the defensive side of the ball. "I was the guy who would take on the double teams," Vazquez explained. "When we were in a four-man front, I would play defensive tackle. When we were in a three-man front, I would rotate at defensive end. I always lined up on the strong side. I rarely got a break. That first game, I was dead – out of breath after every series and wore out, but my body adapted to it." He needed to adapt because he kicked, punted, and played most of the snaps on defense; he played every meaningful snap on offense. "On offense, I am good at pulling and getting to the second level, but I can block you head up too," the 6'3" 235-pounder told prepredzonemn.com. "On defense, I am good at taking double teams and taking up bodies and stuffing the run. When I played defensive end, I was explosive off the line." Vazquez is now focused on playing at the next level. "I am working on my explosiveness and my steps when I come off the line – gaining ground when I take the initial step. I am also working on being explosive with my hands and engaging the guy in front of me." Along with technique, the senior is working on his body. "I train with a coach, and he works on my speed and agility," Vazquez explained. "I also do Olympic weightlifting. I was on the Olympic weightlifting team last year, but this year I am not going to compete, but I am going to do those workouts." It took some time for colleges to notice, but Vazquez is getting some late recruiting interest. "Recruiting has been slow. I am starting to get some Division II interest. I have talked to most of the NSIC schools. I am hoping to get an offer from Sioux Falls," Vazquez – who is looking to study aviation - said. "I have been talking to Harding College in Arkansas, and I have talked to Mankato. I am going to visit Concordia-St. Paul on Friday. I have talked to Augustana – they just came to our school, and I talked to one of their coaches. I just have to be patient." Most schools are recruiting Vazquez as a defensive end. "They love how versatile I am. They like how I can adapt to things. They like how physical and explosive I am." His recruiting has started slowly, but if recruiting goes anything like his career – starting slow and ending in a state championship – he will be getting state championship level offers soon.