From the plains of West Texas to the Rocky Mountains to…..
Growing up in West Texas, Diego Hernandez saw first-hand that many of those small, rural communities prioritized God, family and football, not necessarily in that order. It came as no surprise then that Hernandez has been playing football for as long as he can remember. Unlike many of his peers, it wasn’t the quarterback or receiver position that caught his attention, it was more the chance to tackle people that drew his interest. “I would see a line of people begging the coach to let them run the ball or throw the ball. I just looked at them and I knew I was going to be the one bringing them to the ground,” Hernandez remembered.
Making a name for himself at the defensive tackle position, Hernandez helped lead Lubbock Coronado High School to the state semifinals his Junior and Senior year with his constant disruption of the opponent’s backfield. While Coronado ultimately fell to the power schools from the urban centers of Texas, he showed the recruiting world that he could play at an elite level. That’s why scholarship offers came flooding in from throughout the region. On National Signing Day, it was widely expected that the Lubbock-product would choose to stay home and play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Imagine the surprise of a packed gymnasium when he pulled out a hat from the University of Colorado. “I’ve lived in Lubbock my whole life and West Texas will always be a part of me,” Hernandez explained, “but I wanted to experience something different, to go out on my own and create a new legacy. The coaches at CU are tough but build a culture of accountability. That’s what I wanted to be a part of.”
With the Buffs’ glory days behind them, Hernandez found a depth chart that forced him into early playing time. While he was able to gain experience on the field, he also devoted himself to the weight room. “I came in a little undersized. I admit that. And because of our depth chart, I was called on to play as a Freshman. I took my lumps those first few seasons. But it humbled me and taught me to work harder, both in the weight room and in the film sessions,” Hernandez recalled. By his Junior season, the baby faced Hernandez had transformed into a 6’1, 303 pound wrecking ball, causing trouble for Pac 12 opponents throughout the West coast. Despite speculation that he may leave after his Junior season, Hernandez came back for his Senior year to go out with his recruiting class teammates.
What does the future hold for the West Texas native? “I don’t know where I’ll end up. But I guarantee you this, wherever it is, I will bring those West Texas values of hard work with me,” Hernandez promised.
Growing up in West Texas, Diego Hernandez saw first-hand that many of those small, rural communities prioritized God, family and football, not necessarily in that order. It came as no surprise then that Hernandez has been playing football for as long as he can remember. Unlike many of his peers, it wasn’t the quarterback or receiver position that caught his attention, it was more the chance to tackle people that drew his interest. “I would see a line of people begging the coach to let them run the ball or throw the ball. I just looked at them and I knew I was going to be the one bringing them to the ground,” Hernandez remembered.
Making a name for himself at the defensive tackle position, Hernandez helped lead Lubbock Coronado High School to the state semifinals his Junior and Senior year with his constant disruption of the opponent’s backfield. While Coronado ultimately fell to the power schools from the urban centers of Texas, he showed the recruiting world that he could play at an elite level. That’s why scholarship offers came flooding in from throughout the region. On National Signing Day, it was widely expected that the Lubbock-product would choose to stay home and play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Imagine the surprise of a packed gymnasium when he pulled out a hat from the University of Colorado. “I’ve lived in Lubbock my whole life and West Texas will always be a part of me,” Hernandez explained, “but I wanted to experience something different, to go out on my own and create a new legacy. The coaches at CU are tough but build a culture of accountability. That’s what I wanted to be a part of.”
With the Buffs’ glory days behind them, Hernandez found a depth chart that forced him into early playing time. While he was able to gain experience on the field, he also devoted himself to the weight room. “I came in a little undersized. I admit that. And because of our depth chart, I was called on to play as a Freshman. I took my lumps those first few seasons. But it humbled me and taught me to work harder, both in the weight room and in the film sessions,” Hernandez recalled. By his Junior season, the baby faced Hernandez had transformed into a 6’1, 303 pound wrecking ball, causing trouble for Pac 12 opponents throughout the West coast. Despite speculation that he may leave after his Junior season, Hernandez came back for his Senior year to go out with his recruiting class teammates.
What does the future hold for the West Texas native? “I don’t know where I’ll end up. But I guarantee you this, wherever it is, I will bring those West Texas values of hard work with me,” Hernandez promised.