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Rivas gives verbal pledge to Texas State
WESLACO — Mishak Rivas has made a decision.
After weeks of speculation, the Weslaco High standout running back has verbally committed to play football for Texas State University. Rivas said he will officially sign a letter of intent Feb. 6 to play football on a full scholarship for the Bobcats.
Feb. 6 is national signing day, at which time verbal pledges can be made official.
In addition to football, Rivas said he will participate in track & field.
“They were real nice, and it seemed like the place for me,” Rivas said. “I just couldn’t refuse.”
Rivas said he drew interest from Texas, LSU, Florida, TCU, Fresno State and Texas A&M-Kingsville. Rivas said Texas, LSU and Florida all offered partial scholarships.
“I have to be smart and see what’s more beneficial for me,” Rivas said. “(Texas State) had the best offer.”
The Bobcats are an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision team (formerly known as NCAA Division I-AA) and compete in the Southland Conference. Rivas said Texas State intends to use him as a slot back/receiver in its offense, which averaged 224.5 yards and 28.1 points per game last season. He could also be used on special teams.
Rivas’ role with the Bobcats’ offense will be similar to the role he played during his freshman year with the Panthers under the direction of then coach Jim Hite.
“They were looking for explosiveness,” Rivas said. “I was their top guy for the position.”
Rivas was a member of an offensive show during his senior season, in which he racked up 3,300 rushing yards — an Rio Grande Valley single season record — and 47 total touchdowns.
Rivas totaled more than 6,800 yards for his high school career, with 6,586 of it in the Slot-T offense run by coach Tony Villarreal the last three seasons.
Rivas’ career includes a 431-yard performance to break the single-game rushing record against San Benito in a key District 32-5A contest in 2007.
“This is another opportunity to play (football),” Rivas said. “God blessed me, and I’m just going to take advantage of it.”
