Cathedral Catholic’s Star Offensive Tackle: Chase Deniz

Chase Deniz is a 3 Star recruit who plays Offensive Tackle at Cathedral Catholic High School. Deniz is ranked as the 709th best recruit in the class of 2026 and is ranked as a top 65 Offensive Tackle in the class as well. In addition, Deniz is listed as a top 60 recruit in the state of California and is listed as the #4 Offensive Tackle in the state of California. He is committed to play at USC.

Who are some role models in your life?
Definitely my parents. They’ve taught me everything I know and shaped me into who I am today.

What artists do you listen to pregame to get you hyped up?
I’m big on rock—Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Metallica, Black Sabbath. That heavy energy gets me in the zone.

What are the strengths of your game?
My quick feet and hands, for sure. I also pride myself on being able to adapt mid-game and figure out what the opponent’s trying to do.

What is your favorite memory of your career?
In one of our playoff games, the crowd got crazy loud, and we had to call a timeout. I stepped up, got everyone focused, and we scored on the next drive. That leadership moment meant a lot to me.

Who is the best player you have ever played with or against in your career?
Prince Tavizon, no question. He’s a 4-star defensive end who committed to Oregon, and going up against him was real competition.

What is some advice you would give to an aspiring D1 athlete?
Go look for work. Just showing up to practice isn’t enough—you’ve got to seek out extra reps, extra effort, and keep pushing past the bare minimum.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Italy, no doubt. The food, the history—I’m all about it.

How old were you when you fell in love with the game?
I didn’t really fall in love with football until my sophomore year. I started playing in high school and just grew into the game.

If you could meet one sports hero, who would it be?
Kobe Bryant. His mindset, work ethic, and philosophy on life and competition are things I really try to live by.

What is your favorite sports moment as a fan?
Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater. He went to San Diego State, and as an Aztecs fan, I was going crazy with my family.