Mustang’s defense hit some growth spurts during the 2023 season and now defensive coordinator Waleed Gaines expects those growing pains to pay off.
With starters returning across the board, including potential Division I recruits on the defensive line and in the secondary, plus a trio of junior linebackers who learned on the fly last year, Gaines can admittedly stop dying his hair and relax. Experience pays off in many ways and it should help carry the Broncos this fall.
Gaines sat down with The Mustang Sports Review to discuss the team’s depth chart and who he sees contributing in 2024. One thing is for sure: Mustang’s DC is excited to see his group hit the field on Friday.
Check out the 2024 Mustang defense preview below:
DEFENSIVE LINE
Mustang’s front seven will once again be led by Louie Jones (Sr.), who made a name for himself last season with 44 tackles, including a team-high nine and ½ tackles for loss and four and ½ sacks.
Louie Jones (Sr.) led the Mustang Broncos with nine and 1/2 tackles for loss and four and 1/2 sacks in 2023. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Jones is drawing interest from multiple Division 1 schools, including Houston, Kansas, and Kansas State, and with good reason. He can play all across the defensive line and shows up when he’s needed most.
“The biggest thing is the fact that he is a silent leader,” Gaines said of how Jones’ mentality has progressed from his junior year to his senior year. “He is not going to say more than three words, he’s just going to work. And that’s all he does.
“He’s put on more strength this year, which is hard to believe because the kid is like an ox. He knows how to take care of his body and is feeling a lot more comfortable in our defense, playing all the way from the five-technique to the nose.”
Joining Jones along the defensive line will be seniors Onesi Ngalo and Javion Coney, who both saw limited action in 2023. Walker Upton (Sr.), Max Baca (So.), Elijah Wilson (So.), Max Vera (Jr.), Julio Vera (Jr.), and Julian Stanley (Jr.) could also see time in the rotation.
“We are in a position to where a lot of these guys can play and are ready to go,” Gaines said. “The lights might be a little bright for some, but for the most part we have a lot of young guys that can step into a role. Even guys who are upperclassmen, but didn’t see a lot of action last year.”
LINEBACKER
The Broncos graduated one of the best linebackers in the state in Caston “Bear” Meadows, however, three of his proteges gained plenty of experience in 2023 and are ready to take on leading roles.
Juniors Kaden Bachus, Josiah Stevens, and Parker Sorrell make up a strong linebacker trio which could make a lot of noise across Class 6A-1 this season.
Bachus finished second on the team as a sophomore with 106 total tackles, including five for a loss. Stevens and Sorrell combined for 98 tackles, including 55 from Stevens and 43 from Sorrell. Sorrell also tallied three tackles for a loss and one sack.
“That’s where we were young last year,” Gaines said. “But now that they have that experience, it makes it to where I don’t have to dye my hair. I had a lot of gray hairs coming through with all that youth.”
Parker Sorrell (Jr.) finished the 2023 season with 43 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and one sack. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Gaines sees the maturation physically, but also mentally for the young trio. Where they would make mistakes last season, they are now showing growth. Weaknesses have turned into strengths during spring, summer, and fall camp.
“This year instead of waiting for a coach to tell them what to do, they’re talking to each other about what’s going on. This game is simple. If it’s coach-led, you’re going to be okay. If it’s player-led, you’re going to be great. Those guys are now communicating what we see, but they’re doing it in real time.
Josiah Stevens (Jr.) is one of three linebackers that saw plenty of action last year as sophomores. He finished with 55 total tackles in 2023. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
“Which is good for me. I’m 43 years old and I think I have seven gray hairs. I’d love to keep it that way.”
Sophomore Tupe Manuotalaha is another player to watch out for according to Gaines. Carson Reed (So.), Gerald Ackah (Jr.), and Gonzalez Jackson (Sr.) are likely to see playing time as well.
“Tupe is exactly what you think of when it comes to a Polynesian linebacker,” Gaines said. “Big, strong, fast, long hair coming out the back of the helmet. He’ll share time with the other guys to make up our core.”
SECONDARY
Mustang’s back end is where Gaines says he is really looking to take advantage of depth and experience, starting with safeties Blaine Fulmer (Sr.) and Tayten Duncan (Jr.).
The duo combined for 85 total tackles last season, including 51 from Fulmer and 34 from Duncan. Fulmer also nabbed a team-high three interceptions.
“He’s a leader and a guy we rely on heavily,” Gaines said of Fulmer. “Blaine is a quiet kid who is going to do exactly what he’s supposed to do and communicate exactly what we want. He’s the guy I look for and say, ‘this is your defense, you take over that back end and what you say goes.’”
Blaine Fulmer (Sr.) will be Mustang’s leader at the safety position in 2024. He finished with a team-high three interceptions in 2023. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Gaines compared Fulmer to former Bronco safety Trevor Price, who knew exactly what to call and check into after seeing the opposing offense line up.
“Last year he did a great job, but this year he’s like this is what we should be in and giving me feedback. He’s taken that pressure of being like Trevor and has put it on his shoulders and it is working out beautifully.”
Gaines describes Duncan as a player who “just wants to play ball.”
Another stalwart returning to Mustang’s secondary is Gaines’ son, Waleed Gaines Jr. (Sr.), who burst onto the scene last year with 42 total tackles and two interceptions. Gaines Jr. has garnered attention from multiple colleges since last season, including Oklahoma State University, and according to his dad, he has taken big step mentally and physically.
“He’s constant,” Gaines said. “I know exactly what we’re going to get out of him because he just knows how to work. I get frustrated sometimes because he may question what we’re doing, but it’s not in a negative way. He just sees it different and is on a different wavelength sometimes.
“He’s always been a heads-up player being a coach’s kid and really, he’s always been the type of kid to yes sir and no sir you to death. But now he’s taken that next step to where he’s more vocal with his teammates and making sure they’re in the right spots and doing the right things. As a coach you need guys like that and that’s where he’s at right now.”
Waleed Gaines Jr. (Sr.) was one of the top cornerbacks in the state last year, finishing with 42 total tackles and two interceptions. (Photo by Ron Lane / Lane Images)
Tucker Brown (So.) and Keywan Kearney (So.) are battling it out for the corner position opposite Gaines Jr. Gaines says both are really good athletes and two guys to watch for as the season progresses.
Other players looking to get into the rotation in the defensive backfield are current offensive players, including receivers Jaden Johnson (Jr.), Jaytee Johnson (Jr.), Derek Straughn (Jr.), and Latin Everheart (Sr.).
“It’s a lot of fun to see those guys move over from the offense and compete on the defensive side,” Gaines said.
