Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa
Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa
About Tanielu
Expert Analysis
Zack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Maafala-Barbasa will be looking to earn his first all-state selection after a stock-raising offseason in which he added nine D-I offers including UNLV, Wyoming, Northern Arizona, and New Mexico St. He’s a strong, athletic frontline defender that can play inside or out and brings a physical edge as a run defender. Maafala-Barbasa should be in the conversation for all-state honors with a productive senior season in the fall.
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Read EvaluationZack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Ma’afala-Barbasa had a huge month adding five D-I offers from UNLV, New Mexico St., Air Force, Sacramento St., and Delaware St. The top-ranked defensive lineman in the state has been putting his name on the radar with a productive offseason including several strong showings in recent months. He’s looking stronger, quicker, and is tracking to develop into one of the top defenders in his class. Ma’afala-Barbasa’s stock is one the rise coming into his senior season.
AG2G!
After a great conversation with @Coach_JBruce and @CoachLogo I’m very blessed to receive an offer from @unlvfootball
#5@aggiefootball05 @CoachNorris34 @W_Bertoni58 @TheVoiceCoachK @MikeWatersP1 @phase1football @BrandonHuffman @BlairAngulo @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/dh3Xdc2y9k— Tanielu (Tani) Ma’afala-Barbasa (@tanielumb58) May 14, 2025
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Read EvaluationZack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Ma’afala-Barbasa visited Utah Tech this past weekend. The state’s top-ranked DL prospect has been making waves on the offseason circuit with some impressive performances at recent camps and showcases including earning DL MVP honors at the Recruit Vegas event earlier this month. Ma’afala-Barbasa, who holds an offer from Central Michigan, has his stock on the rise heading into the spring.
I will be at @UtahTech_Fball tomorrow. Can’t wait!!@coach_moynahan @Coachrhud @BenR4033 @CoachNorris34 @1CAGaines @W_Bertoni58 @aggiefootball05 @TheVoiceCoachK pic.twitter.com/IKnGr0n87Q
— Tanielu (Tani) Ma’afala-Barbasa🇦🇸🇯🇵 (@tanielumb58) April 12, 2025
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Read EvaluationNathaniel Oishi | Prep Redzone Scout
Tanielu has continued to prove why he is one of the top edge prospects in Las Vegas this off-season. Tanielu has shown great strength and instincts, allowing him to dominate multiple camps this off-season. Look for Tanielu to continue to shine at the Vegas UTR camp and gain more D1 offers.
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Read EvaluationNathaniel Oishi | Prep Redzone Scout
Tanielu shined all week in numerous camps and at the W4Y camp in Hawaii. Tanielu competed against some of the top linemen on the islands and showed the ability to rush the passer off the edge and in the interiors. Tanielu has great strength and power that make him hard to start.
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Read EvaluationNathaniel Oishi | Prep Redzone Scout
Tanielu is an elite DL prospect currently holding a D1 offer from Central Michigan. The 2026 D-linemen gained the attention of national scouts with his performance at the You Are Athlete Camp this week. Tanielu moved well in drills and showed great hip mobility, strength, and reactive instincts in one v. ones. Look for Tanielu to continue to gain D1 attention through the camp season.
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Read EvaluationZack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Maafala-Barbasa was on campus for a gameday visit to Utah Tech in September. The 6’2″/230 DE is putting together his breakout junior season showing the skill and physicality he can provide off the edge. I like the activity and commitment to assignment he’s played with as a run defender through the first half of the season. Maafala-Barbasa’s first offer came from Central Michigan in May.
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Read EvaluationZack Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Maafala-Barbasa has continued to put his name on the D-I radar with a strong offseason since posting 29 tackles and 4 TFLs as a sophomore for Arbor View. He’s a strong, athletic defender on the edge at 6’1”/230 that excels at penetrating the LOS and creating negative plays in the backfield. He’s explosive off the ball, possesses the bend/flexibility to change levels, and shows promising development in skillset as a pass rusher. He shows a quick lateral step to get outside the blocker’s frame and finishes with quick, violent hands at the POA. Maafala-Barbasa picked up his first offer from Central Michigan in May and should continue to generate D-I interest with a productive junior season.
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