By MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER
While offensive linemen are often thought of as just unsung heroes, Brownsville Veterans Memorial head football coach David Cantu stood in front of a library filled with dozens of people and made sure they all knew tackle Sebastian Sosa was so much more.
It was for good reason as Sosa a key cog in the Chargers’ run game and overall offensive success during his two and a half seasons on the offensive line.
Now, Sosa took his first steps at trying to do the same at the college level after signing his national letter of intent to join the University of Texas Permian Basin in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Brownsville.
While the signing with NCAA Division II UTPB means the world to the senior tackle, putting ink to paper signaled more than extending a playing career.
“ It’s great because, for the most part, I was told I was going to play NAIA or (in junior college,” Sosa said. “So to get to play DII with a pretty good up and coming school is great for me.”
In the last two seasons behind a Sosa-led offensive line, the Chargers racked up 5,141 rushing yards and 76 rushing touchdowns.
Now, Sosa is a part of the UTPB Falcons’ 53-man recruiting class.
UTPB plays in the Lone Star Conference and is coming off its third 2-9 season under head coach Justin Carrington, though it is a program that played its first season in 2016.
Still, choosing the Falcons was a no-brainer for Sosa, who feels like the match is the perfect fit for him after getting to meet the coaches and learning about the program’s culture.
“ I attended one of their spring camps in San Antonio and I just liked the coaching vibe and the kind of culture that they had,” Sosa said. “It felt like home, if I had to describe it in one word. I was thankful that they treated me like that; that’s what sold me. They already have a hard-work culture. They’re a new program, so they know they have to bring it everyday. I just hope to contribute that myself.”
Cantu believes Sosa can do that and more with the attitude and athleticism he possesses.
“ Sebastian is one of the most athletic offensive lineman you’ll ever find,” the Chargers’ coach said. “He’s very light on his feet and that’s why he’s able to play basketball and do track. He also has tenacity. He’s able to mix it up and the ability to make that big block when the team needed it. He’ll bring consistency and he’ll be dependable. I think he’s going to be the type of player the coaches will see come in everyday and work. He expects to earn everything he’s going to get. He’s not going in there expecting anything; he knows exactly what’s ahead of him.”
With a new football chapter ahead of him, Sosa said he will never forget the memories and friends he made on and off the field at Brownsville Veterans.
“ It is (bittersweet) because I played two and a half years really on varsity,” he said. “I made a lot of friendships. I didn’t go to middle school at Stillman, but a lot of guys my freshmen year brought me in from Athlos. I didn’t know anybody, but they treated me like I was anybody else and treated me well.”
Sosa said he plans to major in kinesiology and minor in social studies.