YAA Las Vegas Top Performers

By Brandon Howard

The You Are Athlete Regional Exposure Camp Series made a stop in Las Vegas on Jan 17th. Some of the top high school prospects from the southwest (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah) were in attendance. Prospects from across these regions came out to to compete and show why they deserve an invite to the All-American Showcase in Houston.

The prospects below earned an invitation to the You Are Athlete All American Showcase on May 22-24 in Houston, TX. Several players stood out but these guys took the cake demonstrating upside, skill and catching the attention of our staff.

Top Defensive Line

2028 DL Malua Atualevao - NV

Athalevado is strong enough to anchor in against the run and has the blue-collar mentality to work in the trenches.

2027 DL J’siah Leasau - NV

Leasau can run plays down when they go away from him and pursues hard. Would thrive in most two man stunts, playing his role to a great degree. 

2028 DL Tayaun Lawrence - NV

Lawrence athleticism shows up as he gets off the ball well and can bend the corner and get upfield. Has length & a couple pass rush moves he uses to get into the backfield. 

2030 DL Paiea Cosier - NV

One of the best pass rushers I’ve seen at the early age of 14. He has quickness, he has strength, he comes in with a plan & means business. If he grows into his body he’s without a doubt a P4 player. 

2027 DL Kemper Castro - UT

Castro can be a highly disruptive player with good traits to play multiple positions and alignments. Good length, that he uses to push into the backfield. 

2027 DL MJ Bateman - UT

Bateman uses explosive first step to shoot through gaps and wreck havoc in the backfield. He’s unafraid to use hands to make a difference. 

2026 DL Paula Havea - UT

Havea is always looking to get home and finish. Using his quick feet & toughness to get upfield & expose gaps. 

Top O-Lineman

2029 OL Jason Lawrence - NV

Lawrence is extremely coordinated and balanced for a big body. Natural feet and lateral agility. Shows good awareness & natural ability for a rising 2029. 

2028 OL Iutana Afele - UT

Delivers second level blocks while keeping his feet. Very natural footwork and agility. Shows signs of strong upside & contacts awareness when going for blocks. 

2027 OL Darrius Uperesa - HI

Uperesa looks the part as far as frame and length. Bends well and plays with good leverage. Continued development never stops but shows a commitment to improvement. 

2028 OL Boogie Kasitati - UT

Kasitati has ability when pulling and getting in to the open field. Needs to continue to refine as a pass blocker since prep offense is mostly run-based but shows signs of a talented run blocker

2029 OL Ioane Sua - UT

A smart, hardworking player who can play any spot on the offensive line. Projects as an interior linemen with his size and strength and ability to go up against defensive tackles.

2027 OL Elijah-Jaydenn Johnson - NV

Johnson plays with natural pad level. Works to the second level with good angles to hit his landmarks. Solid prospect. 

2027 OL Ahmeir Dureso - NV

Good footwork and uses his hands well to engage his defender. A two way player who shows versatility on both sides on the ball. Could be a solid D2 borderline FCS talent. 

Top WR's

2026 WR Demarcus Robinson - NV

Athletic receiver prospect with adequate height and a lean. Robinson has enough size to be a dangerous ball-winner when needed. 

2027 WR Brandon Quaglio - NV

Quaglio can stretch the field in the vertical passing game. Shows good concentration with ability to track deep balls. Knows how to get open & find space. 

2027 WR Breck Warren - NV

Warren adjusts well to the ball in flight. Also flashes the ability to hit the long ball in run-after-catch situations.

2027 WR Lane Billau - NV

Billau does not waste time getting up field after catch. Has next gear to separate from safeties after catch. 

2029 WR Brooklyn Gibson - CA

Gibson displays good burst, speed and athleticism. He shows fluidly. He also displays good body control.

2028 WR Dahntay Kouahi - CO

Kouahi displays functional athleticism and appears terrific in multiple facets. Capable of winning the ball in traffic. Also shows high point ability to make plays. 

2029 WR Malosi Shepard - UT

Shepard has good ball skills. He can line up outside or in the slot & displays reliable hands. 

2027 WR Sonny Uranich - NV

Uranich knows how to set up routes. Has to work on using length to high-point 50-50 balls. Overall, solid pass catcher. 

2027 WR Rey Sadahiro - CA

Sadahiro knows how to set up defensive backs, having played the position. He locates ball well and is sure-handed. Possession receiver with big-play capability.

2027 WR Nakoa Punley-Gelacio -HI

Releases off the line well and gets into his routes quickly. Shows solid play-making abilities. 

Top RB's

2029 RB Braylon Rayford - NV 

Rayford has enough agility in the hole to make an initial move to make the first defender miss. Open-field galloper who won't get run down from behind. Great upside on the 2029. Holds three division one offers. 

2028 RB Xander Pagan - HI

Pagan runs with a low pad level, which also fosters above-average balance. He can also slip through creases too small for big backs.

2028 RB Jibri Abdullah - CA

Abdullah is at his best as a north-south hole-puncher with game-breaking speed in the open field, but flashes encouraging one-cut ability as well.

2027 RB Nico Panelli - NV

Panelli has solid first-level agility. He can deliver a move to make a defender miss & find open space. 

2026 RB Griffin Walker - UT

Walker hits the hole hard. He can also be difficult to find in traffic because of low center of gravity, and finishes runs thanks to that leverage.

Top QB's

2027 QB Christian Diehl - NV

Diehl has a high football IQ- he can read the defense, get through progressions, and deliver the ball. 

2027 QB Michael Lewis - NV

Lewis can make throws. He also shows an adeptness at the deep ball while also delivering the short and intermediate throws with confidence. 

2027 QB Cash Hollingshead - UT

Good functional athlete on the field, who’s light on his feel helping him make good throws. 

2028 QB Greyson Howard - NV

Sets and resets quickly and with impressive body control. Shows nice touch & an ability to lead his WR.

2027 QB Jarvis Applewhite - CA

Quick, effortless release, no wasted motion. When going through proper technique & playing confident he thrives.

2027 QB Cade Hoshino - NV

Good short-to-intermediate zip. He throws with confidence & can create confidence in others when he’s playing well. 

2029 QB Govenor Richburg - NV

Richburg does well in off-schedule situations and shows encouraging ability to vary arm angles as needed.

2029 QB Clayton Diehl - NV

Displays the requisite vertical arm strength but is still accurate & smart when making decisions. 

2027 QB Ryder Tucker - NV

Tucker flashes plus vertical arm capacity and good velocity in the short-to-intermediate game. He makes an impact when in rhythm. 

2026 QB Kayne Horibe - NV

Capable of pushing the ball down the field with accuracy. A competitor who embraces competition. 

Top DB's

2027 DB Arie Mcquaig IV - NV

McQuaig flashes good burst and acceleration, plus solid top-end speed, especially when coming out of his breaks to attack the ball.

2027 DB Kahiau Kipapa - NV

Kipapa closes fast and arrives with a purpose. He could be an intriguing blitzing option. Also shows solid change of direction as he uses his length to make plays. 

2027 DB Burnham Sudweeks - UT

Sudweeks is an athletic football player with functional size that could translate to cornerback, safety, nickel. The ball just finds him especially when once the real action gets going. 

2028 DB Malosi Ilaoa - UT

Ilaoa has ample frame space to add mass. No available wingspan number but looks and plays long. He’s also disruptive at the catch point. 

2027 DB Jerome Johnson - NV

Johnson owns plus ball skills for a DB. He’s also more than willing to close on an offensive player. He’s a tone setter. 

2027 DB Anthony Creek - CA

Creek has good physical tools and football skill set provide potential for personnel flexibility and role versatility. He’s around the ball and often extends to make plays. 

2027 DB Boden Hackenbruck - NV

Hackenbruck shows a wide range with ability to get to the sideline in zone coverage. He’s unafraid to get handy if it leads to playmaking opportunities. 

Top LB's

2028 LB Jack Weller - CA

Well shows alert movement that helps him read and react with no issues getting outside the hashes. More of a downhill, see ball, get ball type of backer. 

2027 LB Teave Brown - UT

A disruptive linebacker that has found ways to impact games in a variety of different ways. Good versatility & skillsets that could help him find next level opportunities. 

2027 LB Lihai Tautelli - UT

Tautelli has good pursuit. Violent striker, who attacks the football & has no problem getting physical. 

2028 LB Josh Malone - CO

Malone quickly diagnosis a play and reacts. Navigates through traffic to beat blockers to the spot.

2027 DB Nami Meeks - NV

Meeks shows good closing speed. He also plays with natural bend and coil. Smart & aware of his game & situations within them. 

2029 LB Clay Ghisletta - NV

Hill is quick at the line of scrimmage, with a quick first step. Can chase down backs and end the play. High motor prospect.