SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria senior Isaac Ortiz has always felt that, when it comes to playing sports, he has the ability to compete with the best.
After signing his national letter of intent Monday to play football at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, it’s now something he’s sure about.
“It means a lot to sign on with Texas Lutheran because it means my hard work is paying off,” Isaac said. “It shows that I can compete with anyone because I know I can. However, I don’t put myself on a pedestal. I grind and work every day to get what I deserve.”
For Isaac, choosing to play for TLU was based on many things like the program and coaches, however, one thing stood out the most: Family.
His older brother, David, signed on to play with the Bulldogs last season to play football and run track, and since then, Isaac has learned to love the school as much as his sibling.
“I didn’t know too much about TLU until my brother was recruited there,” Isaac said. “I would come around because he was there and I fell in love with their facilities and program.”
“The coaches and players get along like one big family and everybody there wants to be successful.”
The campus’ size also spoke to Isaac as he desired to be more than the digits on his student ID.
“I don’t want to just be number,” he said. “I want to meet my professors one on one and know people. I like to know people. I’m just used to that.”
During Isaac’s time with Santa Maria, he had success on the field as a utility player and was a multiple-time all-district selection.
He will join a solid Bulldog team, which went 8-2 in 2015 and won DIII’s Sothern Collegiate Athletic Conference title with an 8-2 overall record.
He will be recruited as a wide receiver, but feels he can handle whatever is thrown his way
“I’m just going to be a freshman, but I am going to bust my butt and work hard,” Isaac said. “I can play different positions and I can adjust really well. Give me a day or so and I can learn.”
Regardless of what happens on the field at TLU, Isaac feels that he has already succeeded and hopes that those following him will strive to do the same.
“I want to tell people to keep dreaming and working hard,” he said. “Those that dream can’t let anything stop them and if anyone tells you that you can’t or that they’re crazy, they can’t just give up.
“They have to be willing to put in the work because success isn’t easy, nor is it given.”