El Paso Eastlake standout Ivan Avina set multiple school records and was locally known as one of the fastest receivers in the city. As a four-year varsity player, the versatile talent finished with 3,110 yards and 31 total touchdowns in his career.
But as the second National Signing Day approaches, the Falcon star is still without a single college offer. Yet, that still hasn’t slowed him down on his journey.
“I don’t have any offers and I’m just working to get one,” Avina said. “I recently talked to Incarnate Word with (former El Paso Parkland) Coach (Josh) Kirkland. There’s a chance there.”
The 5-9, 180-pound receiver has garnered interest from programs and his head coach believes that he can step on the field and contribute.
Photo: Courtesy of Chad Puerling
“Ivan is the total package,” Eastlake Head Coach J.J. Calderon said. “He’s got the size, speed and strength and he’s the Top 10 percent in his class. I feel like he can help somebody right away in special teams and get groomed into an offense.”
Avina’s talent was noticeable since his freshman year according to his coaches, where he was moved up from junior varsity team early on during the season.
“He came in and knew he was a special player,” Calderon said on his first impressions of Avina. “He’s always stayed humble and even-keeled and listened to the older guys to learn as much as he could and played his role.”
His senior year had its challenges. About halfway point through the season, Avina suffered a hand injury causing him to miss a game for the Falcons. Originally, he thought he would have to wear a cast for the remainder of the season whole season. Instead, he adjusted and put up an impressive 1,490 yards and 14 total touchdowns in 2017.
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“We had depth this year,” Avina said of the 9-3 Falcons. “Pretty much everyone who was on a varsity roster had started the last couple of years. We all had chemistry and I feel like I improved a lot personally. I wanted to work on my route running and I did that this year and put up some good numbers.”
Avina finished his senior season with nearly 1,500 total yards and 14 touchdowns. With his high school days done, he’s looking forward to the next opportunity, no matter where it comes.
“I’m always willing to work and do whatever they need me to do and I’m humble,” Avina said. “Every person that deserves an offer just wants that opportunity.”
“He’s not a kid that’s going to need an offer but he’ll catch on somewhere,” Calderon said. “If that means he needs to walk on to prove himself, he can do that. He is that kind of kid. Whatever route he has to take to get there, he’s going to do it.”
Tony Venegas is an assistant editor with TexasHSFootball, covering prep football in the El Paso region and collegiate and professional football throughout the state. Follow him on Twitter, @advenegas, and read more of his content here.
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