(EL PASO INDEPDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Feb. 6, 2026) — For student-athletes across El Paso ISD, signing to compete at the collegiate level represents far more than a commitment to continue playing a sport. It is the culmination of years of discipline, perseverance, academic balance, and mentorship. It’s an achievement that reflects both personal determination and the collective support of families, coaches, campuses, and the district as a whole.
Each year, El Paso ISD honors student-athletes who advance to collegiate competition, celebrating both their athletic ability and academic preparation in an increasingly competitive college landscape. Fewer than 10 percent of high school athletes nationwide go on to compete at the NCAA Division I or II level—making each collegiate signing a meaningful milestone that reflects years of dedication, discipline, and academic balance.
“The landscape of college athletics has changed tremendously,” said Ruben Torres, Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach at Franklin High School. “The opportunities for high school athletes at certain levels of college athletics are very limited. It is important to us that we advocate for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to continue their academic and athletic careers after high school.”
That advocacy is a defining feature of El Paso ISD athletics. Staff work intentionally to ensure student-athletes are supported not only in competition, but in the classroom and in life beyond graduation.
“Something I’ll remember about participating in high school sports is all of the records I broke this year,” said Ernie Powers, a high school senior at El Paso ISD. “All of the memories I made playing football, I’ll tell my kids about and those memories will stay with me until the day I die.”
El Paso ISD’s athletics program spans 15 comprehensive high schools, supports thousands of student-athletes each year across more than a dozen UIL-sanctioned sports. El Paso ISD also offers intramural sports program that are designed to foster teamwork, sportsmanship and physical activity starting at the third-grade level. National research consistently shows that students who participate in athletics are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and persist in postsecondary education.
The University of Texas at El Paso Head Football Coach Scotty Walden highlighted the depth of local athletes signing at the Division I level, including several EPISD graduates who will continue their careers close to home.
“El Paso has some of the best football players across the state of Texas,” Walden said. “Football here is highly competitive and has produced a ton of talent over the years. We are fired up about the class that we just signed, including an elite group of men from the 915. These guys were electric in high school, and I can’t wait to see them ball out in the Sun Bowl.”
El Paso ISD Executive Director of Athletics congratulated all student-athletes that have signed and are aspiring to play sports at the collegiate level. He addressed students saying, “Remember that you are prepared for your future endeavor with the tools that your coaches and teammates have helped you develop. Always carry the pride of your school and family. Be relentless, be humble, and accomplish your goal.”
Congratulations to all of the students who recently signed:
Andress High School
Edward Jordan Medina - Western New Mexico University
Kyran Adams - Western New Mexico University
Mi Keil Scott Taylor - Western New Mexico University
Burges High School
Alyana Flores - Paul Quinn College
Emmanuel Chavez - Otero College.
Evan Rodriguez - Otero College.
Gloria Vasquez - Western Colorado University
Juleah Estrada - Shreiner University
Victor Aguirre - Ottawa University, Arizona.
Chapin High School
Daveon Singleton – University of Texas at El Paso
Tayveon Russell — Valley City State University
Dallas Tucker — Harding University
Franklin High School
Justin Morales - Arizona
Ernie Powers- Navy
Eric Sandoval – University of Texas at El Paso
JB Guzman - The University of Texas Permian Basin
Lucas Garza - Western New Mexico
Gabriel Guzman - Western New Mexico
Micah Gonzalez - Valley City State University
KJ Sigler - Texas A&M University - Texarkana
Stone Jessup - Southern Virginia University
Jefferson High School
Elijah Sheridan - Western New Mexico University