Harlingen's Ramirez headed to Texas A&M-Kingsville

HARLINGEN — The decision was always going to be Daniel Ramirez’s.

But when Harlingen Cardinals head coach Manny Gomez knew his alma mater Texas A&M-Kingsville was interested, Gomez did his part to get the hard-hitting safety in a Hoggies uniform.

“We talked about other schools, but I reminded him that Kingsville had a lot of credibility and a lot of great athletes have played there,” Gomez said.

On Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends at the HHS Fieldhouse, Ramirez became the first player under Gomez to sign a letter of intent to play college football.

And Ramirez signed with none other than the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas.

“It’s a great feeling to have signed it,” Ramirez said. “I know I’m going to get a good education and it’s close to home.

“I’m a mamma’s boy and I love my family. The proximity to home really sold it for me.”

Ramirez drew comparisons to Gomez during the 2011 season for his playmaking and athletic ability as much as his leadership role on the field.

Gomez said Ramirez is his own player and will make his own legacy at the next level.

“It’s great to see him going to the same institution I went to,” Gomez said. “It’s a great opportunity for him as a player and as a young man to grow.”

Ramirez started for the Cardinals the past two season and was selected as one of four team captains this season.

Ramirez recorded more than 100 tackles from his safety position and helped lead the Cardinals to a Class 5A state quarterfinals berth.

Ramirez and the Cardinals became only the third Class 5A school and fourth team to win a third-round playoff game in Valley history.

Mission (1990) and Edinburg (1999) did it previously. Gomez’s 1989 Cardinals did it first.

“Gomez always taught us to never give up,” Ramirez said. “That’s what Cardinal football is about. If you can believe it, you can dream it. And if you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

Ramirez will essentially carry the banner and tradition as he embarks on his college career with the Javs.

Gomez helped TAMUK to a national semifinals berth his senior year in 1993. The Javelinas reached the national title game the following year but lost.

“Gomez has always been someone I look up to,” Ramirez said. “He inspires all of us to do our best. We wore the same colors in high school and now we’ll wear the same colors in college. I intend to keep the tradition going.”

Ramirez will now serve as inspiration to younger Cardinals hoping to take their game to the next level.

He said the friendships built and the mental toughness and tenacity he learned from playing at Harlingen will help carry him the next four years.

“I’m not just playing for me,” Ramirez said. “I’m representing our school and our city. I’m playing for this community.”

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