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Lions CB Avila headed to McPherson College
- Updated: February 21, 2020
By KEVIN NARRO / LFN
La Feria High School senior cornerback Evan Avila secured his college future on Feb. 12 by signing a letter of intent to play football at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, this fall.
Avila, a three-year letterman on the Lions varsity team, grew up playing the game of football. It wasn’t until the summer of his junior year, however, that Avila realized his potential.
“I was going to be a senior and up at the 7on7 tournament I was able to compete with the competition up there, and I knew then I could do it and it was something I wanted to do,” he said during a ceremony at the La Feria High School library. “I’m very excited. The emotions have been through the roof and I’m just thankful for everything, and for everyone who has supported me.”
Avila’s recruiting journey began by using an app called “NCSA” where he created a highlight film of himself. From there, McPherson College reached out to him and expressed interest.
“The coaches were excited and brought me up for a visit, and they wanted to see what I could do,” Avila said. “When I went up for a visit, it was snowing and it was crazy cold. The campus felt like home. It is a small community, a lot like La Feria where everyone knows each other; it just all felt like home.”
Avila was a part of a strong core of seniors that went 22-3 over the past three years and saw the Lions win three district titles in that three-year span.
He thrived in the Lions secondary where he was a part of one of the more talented secondary groups in the district. He finished this past season with 34 solo tackles and 47 total tackles, and hauled in two interceptions. He was also named first team all-district cornerback in both his junior and senior year.
Despite his accomplishments as a cornerback, at McPherson he will look to make the move to safety.
“I played corner here, but when I get up there they will move me to safety,” Avila said. “Basically it is the free safety position at the college level. The biggest challenge for me will be the sleeping schedule; that will be the toughest.”
McPherson competes as an NAIA program and is part of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. In 2019, the Bulldogs finished the season at 5-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play.
Avila will actually join a couple of Valley athletes, who are already on the current Bulldog roster. San Benito’s Nico Perez is a freshman linebacker and Edinburg Vela’s Orlando Guzman is a senior offensive lineman.
