SMHS FOOTBALL
In their first ever appearance at Southland Conference Media Days, UTRGV was represented by former San Marcos Rattler Tony Diaz as the Vaqueros entered their inaugural season this year.
Diaz was honored by the opportunity to not only represent UTRGV but also San Marcos as well.
“It’s definitely an honor for sure,” Diaz said. “I just want to thank Coach Bush for giving me this opportunity to represent UTRGV, San Marcos and my family. It’s a good honor.”
Diaz signed his national letter of intent to play for UTRGV in February 2024, becoming a part of the inaugural signing class for the Vaqueros.
Head Coach Travis Bush, a former Texas State player, assistant coach and former San Marcos coach, raved about Diaz and how he has emerged as one of the leaders on the team.
“He’s definitely one of our best guys coming here as a true freshman,” Bush said. “[He’s] been here through that practice year, and he’s really just been a pleasant surprise. Definitely from a skilled position, he is our best receiver by far right now on the football team. He does some phenomenal things and has [the most] sensational ball skills that I’ve seen at any level.”
Diaz credits much of the success and work ethic ability to the coaches at San Marcos High School who prepared him for the next level.
“I definitely had great coaches and mentors over there in San Marcos High School,” Diaz said “Coach [John] Walsh, coach [Marvin Nash] and Coach Bryan [Webb] played a very big part in my success [at UTRGV] and over [at San Marcos]. I want to use what they gave me and everything to go compete at this next level, and I’m gonna make them proud.”
As Diaz has continued to lead the Vaqueros, Bush talked about how the former Rattler represents what he and his coaching staff are trying to build at UTRGV.
“He really just embodies the culture that we’re building here,” Bush said. “We talk about our win today model and the way we live. [He shows] up every day with a great attitude [and] with a desire to be the best that he can be no matter what he’s doing. He is a great competitor, practices every day like it’s game day, has a great attitude, works his tail off and is always looking to improve himself.”
Bush has noticed that Diaz’s work ethic has started to rub off on his teammates as well.
“Everything we talk about in the culture we want to build, he models and resembles that daily,” Bush said. “He has been a great leader as a freshman. Guys look up to him on the football team. He’s got a great voice, and because of how he works, he brings all the guys along. You can see a lot of guys working and trying to keep up with his pace ... Can’t wait to get him on the field finally.”
Despite the challenges of transitioning from the high school level to the collegiate level, Diaz has been able to overcome the obstacles.
“It definitely has been different, getting used to the college ball coming out of high school,” Diaz said. “The high school coaches [at San Marcos] developed me and disciplined me pretty well for sure to get to this next level and already be ready for what they have coming. It definitely hasn’t been easy for sure, but the more work we get in, the easier it’s going to get.”
Diaz’s work not only shows on the field but off the field as well.
“That’s just who he is and what he does,” Bush said. “He does great in the classroom. He does everything right, and he’s on time. He has great energy, a great attitude with everything we’re doing off the field, going to support other sports — you name it; he’s just he does everything he’s supposed to do from all aspects of a student athlete.”
UTRGV will play their first ever football game Aug. 30 against the Sul Ross State Lobos. Though the season opener is still a month away, Diaz can feel the energy building up for one of the most important games in the history of the athletic program.
“The fans over here are crazy over football,” Diaz said. “It’s a crazy atmosphere over here, especially approaching the season [opener]. You can feel that excitement come from all the fans and everything.”
Diaz is excited to hit the field for the season opener and has full trust in the coaching staff.
“It’s gonna be fun,” Diaz said. “We are going to treat it like our own game. We have been prepared for this with the coaches and everything. We are going to trust their game plan, and we are going to go out there to play some football.
Tony Diaz was a key part in the Rattlers success, helping lead the team to multiple playoff berths as well as being a key part in the Rattler baseball team’s district runner-up finish in 2024. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Tony Diaz signed with UTRGV in February 2024, becoming apart of the Vaqueros first ever signing class. Daily Record photo by Colton McWilliams
