A.D. Ibarra

-UTSA

When Kevin Canizalez formerly of the CC Winn Mavericks walked on to the field on Monday, September 15th along with 78 other potential walk on athletes, he knew he had come this far, now all he had to do was take advantage of getting a chance to impress a pretty good coaching staff that has built a very respectable football program in three short years.

The student athletes were run through drills, were timed on the 40 yard-dash, were timed on their shuttle drills a drill which calls for the athletes to sprint five yards to the right, ten yards to the left and five yards up the middle.

After posting a 5.31 40, and a 4.89 shuttle, Offensive Line Coach Jim Marshall took the 6'1 3/4" 285 Lb. freshman aside to taake some snaps at center, a position KC knows well.

"After they tested us, they made me stay with Coach Marshall to take some snaps because they were trying me out at center.  Coach Marshall said he liked everything he saw and he said he'd give me a call."

When it was all said and done, Canizales was one of only three athletes who will stay with the team this season who will not be red-shirted due to several injuries they've had at different positions.

Coach Larry Coker spoke with Kevin and asked him where he was from, how his varsity team had done last year and complimented him on his determination and athleticism.  He also asked him why he had chosen UTSA to which he replied had always been his "dream school."

Canizales said that TJ Garcia of the South Texas Showcase spoke highly of Kevin to Running Backs Coach Polo Gutierrez who advised him to try to walk on and the rest as they say is history.

He's not red-shirted he is third on the depth chart behind Nate Leonard and Frank Swanson at left guard and he will get his first opportunity to play in the big game against New Mexico on October 4th at 2:30 PM in the Alamodome.

He reminds all Eagle Pass athletes to, "Always follow your dreams even though it may seem hard there's always something out there for you.  If it doesn't work out, keep trying."  

Kevin closed by sending a message to his former teammates at Winn and to the student athletes at Memorial Junior High, "No matter how hard things get, God puts His toughest soldiers in the toughest battles.  No matter how hard the obstacles seem, you've got to believe you can do it.  Find the Maverick in you and conquer your obstacles.  Even if you fail, keep your head up there's always another opportunity to seize.  Give it all you got in school and on the field.  #Birds Up!"