Joe Vecchio, senior offensive lineman at Pharr- San Juan-Alamo North Raiders High School, has verbally committed to UTRGV’s upcoming football program in 2025. He is among the first Rio Grande Valley players to commit to the program.
Vecchio entered his third season on varsity for the Raiders and wants to send his football career to the next level. He believes his leadership skills and football experience will benefit the college field.
“Obviously I’m going to have to amp it up a whole bunch,” he said. “Just keep working hard, make my way up there and just help the team out as much as I can.”
Head Coach Markus Kauffman has coached Vecchio these past four years and talked about how Vechhio will play a role in helping the UTRGV football program’s culture.
“He’s one of those guys that you wish you had every year.” Kauffman said. “We’ve had him for four but I wish I had him for another four and another four after that, because you kind of build your programs around guys like that. He’s going to be great for UTRGV for the culture of winning, the culture of work, the culture of trying to get stuff going.”
With UTRGV being the first local college in the valley that is offering a football program, the university opened many doors for local Rio Grande Valley high school players. Vecchio discussed the many opportunities the program will offer.
“It’s going to open up many doors not only for the valley but just for the areas around,” he said. “Like I said it will open up doors for athletes and marching band students.”
UTRGV Football Head Coach Travis Bush, is looking to start the recruiting and official signing in December. He commented on how recruiting locally is always an option for the program.
“We want to look at the Valley first and I believe no matter where you are at a University you start recruiting at your home base and scoot out.” Bush said. “So we hit every school in the Valley this spring twice and were able to get a look at everyone coming up in the next couple of years and watch them.”
The UTRGV football program will kick off their first season in 698 days.
For more information visit goutrgv.com.
