1 Vizion 8th Grade All-Star Round-Up, Part 2

In part two of my review of the 1-Vizion 8^th Grade All-Star classic, I focus this time on some of the standouts that competed from the defensive side of the ball. While there was a unique and high-powered blend of stars on offense, the defenses played big factors in determining the outcome and providing some highlights of their own. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-289109 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Isitolo-Tuugamusu-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="283617" first="Isitolo" last="Tuugamusu"] | Linebacker</strong> Tuugamusu made an impact early, snagging an interception and taking it the length of 60-yards for a touchdown to open up the scoring. The return itself was also a great effort, cutting back at the sideline and bowling over two tacklers on his way to the endzone. That nature of aggression and physicality was a trademark of Tuugamusu’s play on this night. He collected four solo tackles in addition to his interception and was always around the ball in pursuit. When engaging the ball carrier or blockers, there is no shying from contact and he brings the hammer at the point of attack. Tuugamusu is a tall and long, athletic build. He looks to possess enough speed to be adequate as both a coverage and run stopper. As his body frame continues to fill out with age, he projects to transition to an excellent middle or outside linebacker at the next level. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AdLTtzhGAm0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-289114 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Chase-Cahoon-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="283597" first="Chase" last="Cahoon"] | Linebacker</strong> Cahoon was extremely active, sideline-to-sideline, in this contest. He notched five solo tackles, an interception, and a pass break-up on the stat sheet. Cahoon is not built with prototypical middle linebacker size, but his range and coverage in space are definite strengths in his game. He demonstrated this skill set undercutting the throw on a PAT attempt from [player_tooltip player_id="283591" first="Brandon" last="Mann"] and picking it off, and then running down a reverse to the opposite side of the field later in the game. His instincts and gap discipline were also very solid, as he did not take bad angles or miss confined tackles in the hole. His only struggle at times may be when engaged head-on by a larger lead blocker without having the freedom to beat him laterally. However, Cahoon looks to be an excellent prospect as a coverage linebacker on the next level. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3V3ZlhIFOKA" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-254208 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Silhouette-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Santino Barragan | Linebacker</strong> Barragan played an outstanding game at the outside linebacker spot for the West.  While not possessing huge size or stature, he held up great against the run to the outside and inside of him. He notched 5 solo tackles, demonstrating some nice ability to tackle in both the open field and in the box. He also contributed a sack at the end of the 1^st half, when he chased down QB Andrew Franzino, who was attempting to escape towards the sideline to buy time for a throw. Barragan may not have the size yet to be an inside backer, but his ability to cover the slots while still being a sure tackler gives him valuable versatility for the high school level. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GqfhHSQqlXs" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-289113 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Nathaniel-Banuelos-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Nathaniel Banuelos | Defensive Tackle</strong> Banuelos is a big and thick body inside. Even at his size, he is still very active in the gaps and strong enough to hold-up against tandem blocks when double teamed. He notched a tackle-for-loss, two quarterback pressures, and a half sack while playing almost the entirety of the game on both sides. His ability to shed blocks with quick hands and feet showed he is more than just a big body to plug holes. He was more of a disruptor, often penetrating and forcing run plays to bounce away from him or outside. A future role as a 3-tech defensive tackle would suit him well at the high school level. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0d6XKqCkd6M" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-289115 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Antonio-Villegas-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Antonio Villegas | Defensive End</strong> Villegas contributed three quarterback pressures and a sack on his night. He was close to collecting two more sacks but [player_tooltip player_id="283591" first="Brandon" last="Mann"] escaped his grasp on some amazing scrambles in the first half. Villegas is a bit of an undersized defensive end, however he makes up for it with his burst off the ball and relentless motor. When rushing off of the edge, he attacks the offensive tackle’s outside hip with a low center of gravity and could’ve easily drawn three or four more holding penalties on top of his other production.