By Brian Argabright
It would have been easy for Del Rio’s Manny Arguijo to rest on his high school accomplishments after graduation.
After all, Arguijo capped his senior year of football at Del Rio High School by being named as District 29-6A’s Most Outstanding Linebacker and earning a spot on the district’s All-Academic team. He was also a first team selection on the Padilla Poll Coaches 2017 All-State Team and was an honorable mention selection on the 67th Annual Collin Street Bakery/Texas Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A All-State Football Team.
He eventually signed a letter of intent to play football for the Wayland Baptist University Pioneers, an NAIA school in Plainview, Texas. Even if his football career had ended on Del Rio High’s field, Arguijo could rest knowing he earned a shot to play at the next level.
Instead, he’s found himself not just adjusting to life in college athletics, but also excelling on the field and in the classroom, setting an example for future Del Rio student-athletes to follow.
Arguijo didn’t start his first game as a freshman, but he worked hard and beat out the game one starter in week two. From there, Arguijo went on to have a stellar season. He recorded 54 tackles, including seven-and-a-half tackles for a loss and two-and-a-half sacks. He also recovered a fumble and had an interception. He was named the Pioneers’ Most Valuable Player on defense and was named as an honorable mention to the Sooner Athletic Conference’s All-Conference Team.
As a sophomore, Arguijo said some off-field issues distracted him from playing his best, but he still went on to lead the team in tackles, tackles for loss and yards. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion in the eighth game and missed the remainder of the season.
The year 2020 was supposed to be Arguijo’s comeback year. He exploded out of the gate with 17 tackles against Arizona Christian in the first game of the season. He followed that up with a 12-tackle performance against Oklahoma-Panhandle State. He led the NAIA, not just his team, not just his conference, in tackles per game.
And then COVID-19 reared its ugly head. The conference canceled the remainder of the football season and Arguijo and his teammates were left with questions and a whole lot of “what ifs.”
But there is good news. Arguijo and his teammates have been granted another year of eligibility, meaning 2021 will be Arguijo’s junior year on the field. For a student like Arguijo, who has maintained an A-B average since he began his collegiate career, that’s one less thing to worry about.
“This season was hot. Next fall, it’s gonna be even crazier,” Arguijo said in a telephone interview Wednesday.
The transition to playing football in college from high school isn’t an easy one. According to a 2011 CBS Sports article, only six percent of high school seniors, or 1-in-16, will play football in college. Sometimes it’s the lack of desire. Sometimes it’s the distance from home. Sometimes it’s the difficulty in transitioning their high school regimen to college.
Arguijo said the biggest thing he noticed about the difference playing football in college from playing in high school was that the expectations of collegiate players is much, much greater.
“In high school, sports is like a hobby. In college, it’s like a job. The coaches expect you to do the absolute best you can do on and off the field. That means things like passing your classes and managing your weight. We have nutritionists who check our weight and develop a plan that will help us. They’ll build a game plan around your weight, pointing out that some running backs are bigger and you need to pack on the pounds for that. When I graduated high school I weighed 200 pounds. When I played my first game in college, I was 218. I had the same speed, just more mass,” Arguijo said. “The coaches need you at your best every time. They expect the best out of you. That means don’t be late to practices or meetings and don’t have any problems off the field. They make it clear that we’re here for a reason, and that’s to play football.”
Arguijo explained that many of the players who didn’t last in college sports were the ones who didn’t take their responsibilities seriously or those who couldn’t handle the extra work. He said three-to-four hour practices weren’t uncommon, but some players weren’t used to them and quit. He said his time in Del Rio prepared him for that hard work.
“My coaches really motivated me. Coach (Rod) Taylor, coach Frenchey McCrae, coach Tyrell McCrea and coach (Nick) Mendez … they built me up with a ‘never quit’ attitude. They always said, ‘Never show your weakness, never put your hands on your knees, never bend over and show you’re tired.’ I took that with me and I stood out, too. I was running with the starters and varsity guys who were on the team, as a freshman. After practice while guys were bent over and trying to catch their breath, I was standing up and showing that I was just ready for the next thing the coaches had for us,” Arguijo said.
Despite having two years left of eligibility, Arguijo said he has plans beyond college. He said he is currently majoring in criminal justice, with a minor in psychology. He plans on joining the air force after graduating and eventually becoming either a US marshal or an agent with the country’s Drug Enforcement Agency. He said the opportunity to get an education because of his athletic ability is another driving force for him to do his best and give it his all.
“I’m getting a degree for free basically. My classes are paid for, and I’m playing college football. It means a lot being able to say I did it. Not a lot of kids get that opportunity,” Arguijo said. “It does get hard – the practices, the injuries – they take their toll on my body, but I’m also doing this for my family. I’m not out here for no reason. I’m also doing it for them – my mom, my big sister and my little sister. I don’t want my mom to pay for my college. I don’t wanna lose this opportunity.”
Since 2010, more than 30 Del Rio High School student-athletes have signed to play sports at the collegiate level. Nearly every sport offered at the high school is represented by that group, and Arguijo said he’s been contacted by some Del Rio High athletes for advice on what to do to take that next step.
“I tell them to give it their all. Do what the coaches tell you, and then do a little more than that. We don’t have big athletes here. A lot of our athletes in Del Rio are smaller than those from other schools, so our kids have to stay dedicated and stay motivated. Stay true to your sport. If you’re serious, then the right people will see that and you’ll get noticed. You’re gonna shine one day and when you get your shot, take it and run with it as hard as you can. You may not be blessed with the size or the talent, but no one can match your heart and hard work. It’s like my coaches said, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” Arguijo said. “And remember to stay positive. It’s easy to forget how many people look up to you and see what you’re doing. When you’re in the moment, you never notice how many eyes are on you, but when you’re out there, remember that you’re doing it for your city.”
