By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE – Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 305 pounds, Pace Vikings lineman Rafael Recio gained a reputation as one of the most imposing offensive tackles in the Rio Grande Valley.
The senior became the latest East Valley lineman to sign with Texas A&M University Kingsville on Wednesday, and he did so to a raucous reception in a packed auditorium that featured the Pace cheerleaders and drumline.
Recio was the key to unlocking a dynamic Vikings running game that averaged 200 yards per game on the ground and featured Dylan Barron, Matthew Cuellar and dual-threat quarterback Jose Banda.
During Pace’s bi-district playoff game against Corpus Christi Miller — a narrow 28-21 loss — Recio was noticed by Javelinas offensive line coach Keith Wagner.
“The (recruiting) process was really unbelievable for me,” Recio said. “Coach Wagner saw me play in my last playoff game, and in my opinion I had a great game that game. I was already of the mindset that this game determines whether I go to college or not. So I played hard.”
Recio will study kinesiology at TAMUK and join a 2020 signing class that includes Weslaco High quarterback Jacob Cavazos, as well as players from Edinburg, Pharr and McAllen. The Javelinas’ 2019 roster featured five players from the Valley.
As Recio’s potential began to grow as a prospect, his parents became more invested in his success, and several Pace coaches and administrators touted Recio as an example of what believing in oneself could result in, both in terms of academic and athletic success.
Along the way, Recio has received plenty of advice from those authority figures.
“Most of us just talked about what’s coming his way,” Vikings coach Danny Pardo said. “(The players) know football, they know what’s coming. It’s the other stuff that nobody talks about. (He’s) going to get homesick. … (He’s) going have to stick it out because (Recio) will open the door for other kids from the Valley.”
Pardo said TAMUK coach Mike Salinas is taking advantage of the pipeline of talent in close proximity to campus, which Salinas knows well as the former coach of Edinburg Vela.
The Vikings’ coach added that Recio’s size may translate better to being an offensive guard at the college level, but regardless of his position, Recio appreciated the chance to stay close to home and join a program that he feels he will be able to make an impact with right away.
“To me, it was like God’s plan, because Kingsville is an hour and a half away,” Recio said. “Everything is just so close, and I have a good relationship with all the coaches. So now it’s time to just see what will come in the future.”