EL PASO, Texas — Tristin Tuialuuluu has always been an imposing force up front for the Conquistadores. At 6-3, 295 pounds, the senior made 35 straight varsity starts during his time in school.
Now, he’s ready to take on his next challenge.
Tuialuuluu, a senior left tackle at El Paso Del Valle High School, fielded offers from Division II schools from Midwestern State to Eastern New Mexico and others. He, however, was able to accomplish one of his goals last week when was offered a scholarship by Incarnate Word, his first Division I offer.
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“His goal was to play Division I and he has that offer now,” El Paso Del Valle Head Coach Jesse Perales said of Tuialuuluu’s efforts. “That hard work and dedication has paid off. He improved every year with three different coaches and we’re very proud of him.”
Tuialuuluu credits that strong support system at Del Valle to help him move him forward to the next stage of his football career.
“Just being out here with the team has been the best part,” Tuilauuluu recalled of his time with Del Valle football. “That’s why I came here. I’ve grown close to Coach P [Perales] and everyone else on the team. Leaving will definitely be the hardest part.”
As a blocker, Tuialuuluu was one of the best lineman in the Sun City area, protecting the blind side of quarterback Raymond Montez each of the last two seasons. Though the physical aspect is there, Perales credited his willingness to work and improve as factors that have helped him stand out.
El Paso Del Valle left tackle Tristin Tuialuuluu (71) started 35 straight games in his career for the Conquistadores. Melynda Venegas/TexasHSFootball
“When he came in, he had a tough time picking up some blocking schemes but through experience, he started picking it up,” Perales said. “This year, what stood out to me the most was his ability to finish blocks and that he craved doing it. He was playing nasty and I think that’s what stood out to a lot of these college coaches.”
As for his offer with Incarnate Word, Tuialuuluu was offered by former El Paso Parkland head coach and now UIW assistant coach Josh Kirkland. The Cardinals recently picked up a commitment from Montwood star Tyreese Andrus. Tuialuuluu could become the second Sun City 2018 recruting class product to head to San Antonio.
“We’ve both played and in his case coached in El Paso so it makes it a little more comfortable,” Tuialuuluu said of his relationship with Kirkland. “It’s awesome that he came out here for me and Tyreese for this opportunity.”
El Paso Del Valle left tackle Tristan Tuialuuluu (71) received his first Division I offer from Incarnate Word last week. Melynda Venegas/TexasHSFootball
It’s an opportunity that he’s been working towards since he stepped foot on the Lower Valley campus his freshman year but he knows that there will definitely be some adjustments.
Tuialuuluu could move inside to guard or center at the next level. And after being a player “who has never seen the bench,” Perales encouraged his star left tackle to embrace every opportunity.
“He and I have talked about how he’s going to go back to being a little fish in a big pond,” Perales said on advice he’s given Tuialuuluu. “It’s about perseverance and patience. I told him that he may end up getting more mental reps than physical reps and that’s something you have to accept. Keep plugging away and be patient.”
No matter where he ends up, Tuialuuluu said he is ready to make an impact on the field next season and is ready to take on the challenge.
“Wherever I go, I’m going to ball out,” he continued. “I just want to play. I love football and that’s all I want to do.”
Tony Venegas is an assistant editor with TexasHSFootball, covering prep football in the El Paso region and collegiate and professional football throughout the state. Follow him on Twitter, @advenegas, and read more of his content here.
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