PRZ Stock Up Showcase Recap: Defensive Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase took place at Grants High School on Saturday with about three dozens participants. Here are 9 of the top performers on defense:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive MVP: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610989' first='Gary' last='Chavez'], Grants</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How dominant wars Chavez on Saturday? During the final 1-on-1 segment, the coaches were challenging the offensive linemen with these words: “Who wants to go up against Chavez?” Chavez is a weight room warrior and it shows in both his physique and his performance on the field. He is incredibly strong, fast and mobile. As a junior in 2024, he totaled 87 tackles, an astounding 27.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks and 13 QB hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267176' first='Jalil' last='Dixon'], Cibola</strong>: The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Dixon won Defensive Back MVP honors. Excellent coverage skills + ability to turn and run with wide receivers. Made 30 tackles with 2 interceptions and 8 passes defended this past season as a junior. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shane Jaggers, Tucumcari</strong>: Tucumcari struggled from a won-loss perspective this past season, so Jaggers flew under the radar even though he proved on Saturday he has next level talent. Good size at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Moves well, great feet. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'], Sandia</strong>: Maldonado runs well for a LB who stands close to six-feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. His speed and mobility allows him to cover receivers and running backs in space. Outstanding junior season as he made 61 tackles with 11.0 TFL 11 QB hurries and 2 interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267030' first='Kolbe' last='Padilla'], St. Pius X</strong>: Padilla proves that not all the talent on the Sartans exists exclusively on the offensive side. Outstanding LB as he showed on Saturday. Excels in space. Made 115 tackles with 16.0 TFL, 14 QB hurries and 3.0 sacks. He knows how to wreak havoc in opposing backfields.         </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt'], Volcano Vista</strong>: The Hawks were well represented at Saturday's Stock Up Showcase and Vander Wilt was as good as advertised. His size (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) should make him a coveted prospect in the fall. Made 37 tackles with 8.0 TFL and 5 sacks in 2024. He'll be a force on defense for Volcano Vista in 2025. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272795' first='Vincent' last='Varela Jr.'], Manzano</strong>: Even though Varela is just a sophomore, his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and elite athleticism stand out. This past season, he made 32 tackles with 14.0 TFL, 5 sacks and 15 QB hurries on defense along with 18 receptions on offense. Two more years to develop and grow. His size and skill set makes him a strong candidate to become a major college prospect. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zachary Waghorn, Albuquerque Academy</strong>: Waghorn was Linebacker MVP. Not surprising considering he's registered 100+ tackles in each of the last two seasons. In 2024, he had 107 tackles and 6.0 TFL in just 7 games, a follow up to a sensational sophomore campaign in 2023 when he totaled 120 tackles and 9.5 TFL. Good size and speed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137835' first='Krew' last='Ward'], Hope Christian</strong>: Ward showed Saturday why he was a tackling machine for Hope Christian last fall. He finished with 100 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks and 3.0 forced fumbles. Great instincts. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had an awesome time Saturday with the <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> Combine!!!<br><br>Got to throw a couple guys into their own QB, and didn't lose a single defensive rep! Dominating performance led to being named DLineman of the Camp, and Defensive MVP!! <a href="https://t.co/LRnDzL4mmi">pic.twitter.com/LRnDzL4mmi</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1610989' first='Gary' last='Chavez'] (@Gary_Chavezz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gary_Chavezz/status/1884066716587896873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a great time at the <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> camp today! <a href="https://t.co/PYzLWPsKBM">pic.twitter.com/PYzLWPsKBM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt'] (@Kaleb_vw) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kaleb_vw/status/1883283524129817087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Please check out my senior 2024 Senior season highlights <a href="https://t.co/NmfoVD5rqL">https://t.co/NmfoVD5rqL</a></p>&mdash; Shane Jaggers (@jaggers_shane) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaggers_shane/status/1866676878657859836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2027 Sandia LB [player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'] runs well for a guy who&#039;s about 6-foot-0, 200 pounds. Just a sophomore. <a href="https://t.co/ZxxNRM49kq">pic.twitter.com/ZxxNRM49kq</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1883235884029604336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->