Paz St. John - A Purpose Driven Defensive Lineman
September 1, 2025
Article By Nick Wade
When Liberty High School’s defensive line takes the field on a Friday night, one player commands attention before the ball is even snapped. At 6-foot-3 and carrying a powerful frame of 260 pounds that can flex up to 270 depending on the week, Paz St. John is not just another defensive lineman in the trenches. He is a force, a disruptor, and a leader whose game is fueled by faith, discipline, and a relentless work ethic that has now paved his way to Boise State University.
For Boise State fans eager to see the future of the program, St. John is more than just a promising recruit. He is a product of years of growth, molded by youth coaches, tested by state championships, and sharpened by the simple but unshakable belief that “out work everyone” is not just a motto but a lifestyle. As the Class of 2026 commit looks toward his final high school season, he does so with one eye on leading Liberty to more glory and the other on becoming a foundational piece of Boise State’s future.
The Early Spark
St. John’s football journey began at just seven years old, when he first strapped on pads and played tackle football. Like many kids his age, he dabbled in multiple positions, often playing both sides of the ball. But it was defense—more specifically the defensive line—that called to him. There was something about the battle in the trenches, the combination of strength, leverage, and willpower, that made it the perfect place for his competitive fire.
The foundation of his love for the game was laid during his Pop Warner years with the Far West Snakes, coached by Kyle and Rick Sharp. They instilled in him not only the fundamentals of football but also the discipline and mindset that would carry him far beyond youth leagues. The Snakes’ motto, “out work everyone,” resonated deeply with the young St. John. It became more than a phrase—it became his personal compass.
Later, in seventh grade, St. John joined the Jr. Lions, a program that provided him with a sense of community and further fueled his love for the sport. Even now, he remains in contact with many of his youth coaches and teammates, a testament to the relationships that shaped his early path.
A Multi-Sport Athlete with a Wrestler’s Mentality
Like many great defensive linemen, St. John’s athletic foundation is broader than just football. He grew up playing T-ball, basketball, karate, soccer, cross country, and track and field. But it was wrestling, a sport he picked up as a freshman, that left perhaps the biggest mark on his development as a defensive lineman. Wrestling demanded balance, hand fighting, leverage, and explosiveness—the very same tools he would later bring into the trenches on the football field.
That combination of multi-sport versatility and wrestling’s technical demands molded him into a player who is more than just strong and fast. He became agile, adaptable, and, most importantly, mentally tough. These qualities now define his approach as he prepares to transition to the next level.
Faith, Family, and Hidden Layers
To truly understand St. John, one has to look beyond the stat sheet and into the person he strives to be. He is quick to credit his faith in Jesus as the center of his life. His priorities, in his own words, are simple and unwavering: God first, then family, then football, and finally school. This order of priorities grounds him, allowing him to approach the highs of championships and the grind of training with the same steady mindset.
Off the field, St. John has interests that might surprise fans who only see the warrior in pads. He enjoys learning about history and has a love for classic rock music. He plays video games with his cousins and remains very close to his family. One of his proudest personal roles is being a “big brother” to a younger boy in his neighborhood, a relationship that shows his capacity for mentorship and care beyond football.
Championships and Breakthroughs
On the field, St. John has built a résumé that speaks for itself. His high school career at Liberty has been defined by winning at the highest level, including back-to-back Arizona State Open Division championships. He has earned 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-State, Arizona Cardinals All-Star honors, and a spot on the Fiesta Bowl All-State Team.
But if one season stands above the rest, it was his breakout junior year. St. John posted 46 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries. His ability to collapse pockets and disrupt backfields became a cornerstone of Liberty’s title run. For St. John, though, the explanation for that season’s success is simple: God’s grace and relentless work.
That attitude is not lip service. He is known for his high-tempo workouts, his meticulous attention to nutrition and recovery, and his drive to improve in every area of his game. His weight room numbers tell the story: a 345-pound power clean, 385-pound bench press, and 535-pound squat. These aren’t just raw numbers—they are reflections of countless hours invested in strength and conditioning, refining his body into a machine built for explosiveness off the line.
Leadership and Senior Year
As he heads into his senior season, St. John has shifted his goals. Beyond his personal statistics or accolades, he wants to be a leader who raises the Liberty standard even higher. He knows his role is not just to make plays, but to set the tone for his teammates, to embody the work ethic and passion that Liberty football is known for. His aim is to be the best teammate possible while helping his team chase greatness once again.
Choosing Boise State
Recruiting gave St. John plenty of options. Offers from California, Kansas, Washington State, San Diego State, and others could have easily lured him away. But on June 5th, during his official visit, Boise State made an impression that no other program could match. He fell in love with the beauty of the campus, especially the river flowing through it, and connected deeply with the coaching staff.
Head Coach Spencer Danielson stood out to him not just as a coach, but as a mentor willing to share his faith and his vision for player development. For St. John, that transparency mattered. He wanted to play for coaches who would invest in him as both a person and a player. Boise State’s culture of blue-collar grit, its “Built Different” motto, and its emphasis on personal growth resonated with his own values.
At the end of the day, Boise State simply felt like home. It reminded him of the culture he knows at Liberty—a culture of hard work, accountability, and family. He believes Boise will make him not only a better football player but a better man.
Fitting into the Future
St. John envisions himself as a hybrid defensive lineman, capable of stopping the run, rushing the passer, and adapting to whatever role Boise’s coaches ask of him. He enters his commitment with humility, trusting the staff to shape him, but also with confidence in his versatility. His explosiveness is already a hallmark of his game, and with Boise’s training and development, he believes that strength will only become more pronounced.
He also understands that his commitment is bigger than just his own career. Boise State is in the process of solidifying its recruiting presence in the Pac-12 era, and players like St. John are foundational pieces to that effort. His enthusiasm for the program and willingness to share his excitement with others positions him as both a leader on the field and a recruiter off it.
The Bigger Picture
For St. John, the path forward is clear. He plans to major in business at Boise State while continuing to build his legacy on the field. His goals are straightforward but deeply meaningful: to honor God, strengthen his bonds with his new Bronco family, become the best defensive lineman possible, and succeed academically even in the face of challenges.
When asked to describe himself in one word, he chooses “passionate.” It is a fitting description. Whether it’s in the weight room, on the field, or in his faith, St. John embodies a passion that fuels everything he does.
Looking Ahead
There are still games to be played at Liberty and more moments to create before he dons the blue and orange. But Boise State fans can already sense what is coming. In Paz St. John, they are getting a player who brings not just size and skill, but heart and humility. They are getting a young man whose priorities are clear and whose commitment to excellence is unwavering.
Championships are not won on signing day, but they are built through the accumulation of players like St. John—players who understand that being “Built Different” is about more than football. It’s about character, work ethic, and faith. It’s about passion.
And in that sense, Boise State has found not just a defensive lineman for the future, but a cornerstone for the culture it is striving to uphold.
