2024: Ball Hawks in the Defensive Backfield
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These defenders fly around the field, keeping receivers in check and turning over offenses with timely interceptions. Pono Ah Quin Pono Ah Quin 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB Lone Peak | 2024 State UT || DB || 5’9 ||…
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Continue ReadingThese defenders fly around the field, keeping receivers in check and turning over offenses with timely interceptions.
Pono Ah Quin
Pono
Ah Quin
5'9" | 170 lbs | DB
Lone Peak | 2024
State
UT
|| DB || 5’9 || 170 || Lone Peak high School || 2024
Ah Quin defines the standard stereotype that defensive backs don’t like to hit. He can play in the box and tackles with physicality like an extra linebacker. Ah Quin quickly reads and reacts to what an offense it’s trying to do and does a great job shooting through gaps to make tackles for loss in the backfield. He does a good job getting past blockers and possesses the sideline-to-sideline quickness to make plays all over the field. Ah Quin is also an exceptional blitzer and can fake like he’s coming before he bails out to drop into coverage. He’s a true do it all force on the Knights defense.
Matthias Nawahine
Matthias
Nawahine
6'0" | 150 lbs | DB
Lone Peak | 2024
State
UT
|| DB || 6’0 || 150 || Lone Peak High School || 2024
Nawahine can play any type of coverage and has great hips. He has good feet and can quickly mirror what the receiver he’s covering is trying to do. Nawahine is an exceptional tackler in space, and he quickly closes on balls in the air. He can get in receivers’ faces and does a great job pressing them at the line. Nawahine is also patient in off-coverage, where he doesn’t bite on short routes. He also can contribute to special teams where he flies around the field, making play after play. He doesn’t back down from any challenges and gives everything he’s got each week.
Aunese Tuatagaloa
Aunese
Tuatagaloa
6'0" | 165 lbs | DB
Ben Lomond | 2024
State
UT
|| DB || 6’0 || 165 || Ben Lomond High School || 2024
Tuatagaloa can cover receivers for as long as it takes for his team to get a sack. He can do a great job sticking with wideouts and allows little to no separation. Tuatagaloa is one of the state’s fastest defensive backs and can play press or off coverage. He communicates well with his teammates on the backend and can pass off receivers in the red zone. Tuatagaloa has good hands, and he fights for every ball in the air. He is also a stout tackler who does not allow the receiver he’s shadowing to get yards after the catch.
Triston Hoggan
Triston
Hoggan
6'2" | 200 lbs | DB
Copper Hills | 2024
State
UT
|| DB || 6’2 || 190 || Copper Hills High School || 2024
Hoggan loves to hit. He can play in the box or provide exceptional coverage on the back end of the Grizzlies defense. Hoggan tackles well in space and does a good job breaking down to make sure pass catchers and ball carries don’t escape his grasp. He’s an exceptional athlete who can do whatever the team needs to win the game. Hoggan could play linebacker or safety, where he can slow down offenses, airline attacks, and rushing games. He sets the tone with big hits from the first play of the game to the last. Hoggan is a good leader who will make big plays for the Grizzlies in 2023.