Far West Texas: 10 2026 Defensive Prospects To Know
The Far West region of West Texas is filled with plenty of talented 2026 prospects. Many had outstanding sophomore seasons in 2023 and look to stay on an upward trajectory in 2024. Here are 10 2026 prospects on the defensive…
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Continue ReadingThe Far West region of West Texas is filled with plenty of talented 2026 prospects. Many had outstanding sophomore seasons in 2023 and look to stay on an upward trajectory in 2024. Here are 10 2026 prospects on the defensive side of the ball to watch this season in Far West Texas:
Johan Camacho, Bowie: Blessed with a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, Camacho has impressive size and skill. He helped lead Bowie to the Class 4A, D1 playoffs by making 34 tackles, 6 QB hurries and 2 sacks in his first varsity season. He’ll be a handful for opposing offensive tackles the next two seasons.
Andrew Estrada, El Dorado: Playing safety for the Aztecs, Estrada enjoyed a sensational sophomore season with 74 tackles. If El Dorado hopes to bounce back from last fall’s 1-9 record, Estrada will help lead the way on defense, which returns its top four tacklers from 2023.
Fabian Garcia, Chapin: Garcia is one of four returning Chapin defenders with 60+ tackles last season, so the Huskies are in good shape on that side of the ball heading into the 2024 season. He sparked the Huskies linebacker corps with 60 tackles, 4.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks in 2023 to earn Second-Team All-District honors.
Devon Lewis, Andress: Lewis had 42 tackles and a team-high 3 interceptions to help lead Andress to the Class 5A, D2 playoffs. Andress will be part of a 9-team district in the 2024-25 cycle.
Toasamoa Misioka, Riverside: The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Misioka contributes on both sides of the ball for the Rangers, but he’s especially adept as a DE. He made 41 with 10.5 TFL as a sophomore. That means about 25 percent of his tackles produced negative yardage. He also had a team-high 5 sacks. He’s a disruptor.
Dereck Palacios, Jefferson: Palacios was a shining star for Jefferson in an otherwise challenging year for the Silver Foxes. He had 29 tackles and 6.0 TFL in 2023. Most of Jefferson’s top tacklers return in 2024, so the defense should be improved.
Jelan Parra, Pebble Hills: Parra emerged last season as one of the top young defensive ends in Far West Texas. He amassed 48 tackles, 4.0 sacks and an astounding 20 QB hurries. Parra has good size (220 pounds) and is quick enough to elude blockers and harass the quarterback.
Mateo Santibanez, Del Valle: How good is Santibanez? He was the leading tackler for a very good Del Valle team last season, collecting 94 tackles and 8.0 TFL. Not surprisingly, he was named the District 5A-1 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-City.
Thibaut Spilliaert, EP Coronado: Spilliaert led the Thunderbirds in tackles with 71, adding 4 TFL and 4 QB hurries to the mix. Spilliaert is listed at 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, but he has plenty of speed. He runs track on Coronado’s 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams as well as the individual 200.
Damian Villalobos, Eastlake: Villalobos enjoyed a solid sophomore campaign for the Falcons with 41 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks and 10 QB hurries. He knows how to get into opposing offensive backfields.