PRZ Stock Up Showcase: 8 Defensive Players To Watch In Grants

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase in Grants is just one day away! Here are 8 defensive players (listed in alphabetical order) to watch on Saturday. All have registered for the camp:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853019' first='DJ' last='Chavez'], Grants</strong>: Is Chavez the King of Offers for the 2026 class? Probably. Just in the last week, he's been offered by Westminster College, Culver-Stockton College, Bethany College, Bethel College, Waldorf University, Willamette University, Crown College and Arizona Christian. Clearly, college coaches like what they see on film. Exceptional athleticism. While defensive back is his best position, he unselfishly filled in at QB (started 4 games) when starter [player_tooltip player_id='854297' first='Tristin' last='Fernandez'] suffered a season-ending injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'], Grants</strong>: Chavez was one of the most outstanding players at the last Prep Redzone camp in Grants in January. Incredibly strong. Enjoyed another exceptional season in 2025 with 68 tackles, 26.5 TFL, 14.0 sacks and 35 QB hurries. Frequently overpowers offensive linemen with his speed and strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613703' first='Aiden' last='Gonzales'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Although Gonzales just wrapped up his sophomore season, he's a savvy veteran for the Hawks. He's been a starter in the Volcano Vista secondary since he was an 8^th-grader. Already has 120 career tackles. This past season, he had 74 tackles (62 solo) and 8.0 TFL, showing he can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Second Team All-State honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1791354' first='Roman' last='Gonzales'], Pojoaque Valley</strong>: Gonzales had a significant role in Pojoaque Valley's historic season (first home playoff game). Excelled from his defensive end position. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599958' first='Cole' last='Gosnell'], Bloomfield</strong>: Earned Class 4A First-Team All-State honors after leading the stellar Bobcats defense with 108 tackles, 23.0 TFL, 10 sacks and 29 QB hurries. Good speed and quickness. Incredibly strong, too, as he deadlifts over 500 pounds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2079456' first='Ixavier' last='Hansen'], Volcano Vista</strong>: The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Hensen quietly had a solid season for the Hawks, collecting 64 tackles (third most on the team), including 43 solo. Should be one of the top linebackers in the Albuquerque Metro Region in 2026. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'], Sandia</strong>: When Maldonado attended the last PRZ Camp in Grants last January, he impressed with his speed and mobility. He showed off those assets during the 2025 season as he had 13+ tackles for loss for the Matadors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2069919' first='Wa'Qari' last='Walker'], Atrisco Heritage</strong>: An intriguing DL prospect with good size (260 pounds) and mobility. Wreaked havoc in opposing offensive backfields as a junior with 4.0 sacks, 11.0 TFL and 22.0 QB hurries.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st team all state linebacker <a href="https://t.co/pfSRxjNgtB">pic.twitter.com/pfSRxjNgtB</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1599958' first='Cole' last='Gosnell'] (@Col3Gosnel1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Col3Gosnel1/status/1999491325025222699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">C/O 2026 DB | QB | ATH<br>5'8” 160 lbs Grants, NM<br>Stats: <br>607 total yards <br>564 yards passing (4 games starting QB)<br>4 Passing TD<br>QB Rate: 88.1<br>C% .553<br>15 tackles <br>4 INTs 12 pass defenses<br>1 Defensive TD (pick 6)<a href="https://twitter.com/GHSCoachBrown?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GHSCoachBrown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NMrecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMrecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/6la8TqsW09">https://t.co/6la8TqsW09</a></p>&mdash; Deandre (Dj) Chavez (@DjChavez_0) <a href="https://twitter.com/DjChavez_0/status/1991237671025287314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'] <br>Co 26' Grants High<br>5'11 225lb <br>DE|DT|OL|ATH<br>End of Senior Szn Highlights! <br>68 Tackles<br>26.5 TFLs<br>14 Sacks (2nd most in state)<br>35 Qb Hurries (Most in state)<br>1 Forced Fumble<br><br>I'm a hardworking High GPA high performance Student Athlete!! If you pick me up I promise you… <a href="https://t.co/nSO4K6Imcp">pic.twitter.com/nSO4K6Imcp</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'] (@Gary_Chavezz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gary_Chavezz/status/1991616173994307702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore season highlights <br>2028 FS/SS<br><br>1st team All District<br>1st team All Metro <br>2nd team All Metro KR<br>2nd team All State <br><br>12 games<br>74 tot tckls<br>62 solo<br>12 asst <br>8 TFL<br>1 int<br>6 PBU<br>284 all purpose yards <br>1 TD<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWallin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWallin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachList13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachList13</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSitdikov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSitdikov</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Valdez5Island?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Valdez5Island</a>… <a href="https://t.co/HRcwgzYcau">pic.twitter.com/HRcwgzYcau</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613703' first='Aiden' last='Gonzales'] (@aidengonzales0) <a href="https://twitter.com/aidengonzales0/status/1998944928995619052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/MtMWa6CplQ">https://t.co/MtMWa6CplQ</a><br>Junior Year Highlights<br><br>8 games played<br>56 TOT(14 solo 42 Asst)<br>14 TFL<br>4.5 sacks<br>10 QB hurries<br>1 DEF TD(Pick 6)<br>2 FF (2 recovered)<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ShielWood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShielWood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natep4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natep4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jbmorriscoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jbmorriscoach</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachO_SJSU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachO_SJSU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachParkerIowa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachParkerIowa</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Heacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Heacock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachSintim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSintim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaufaasau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTaufaasau</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'] (@Aidenmaldonado_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aidenmaldonado_/status/1988057164867567987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->