Angel Estrada
September 03, 2002 12:23 PM | General
By Bryan Messerly
Mountaineer
Illustrated
Angel
Estrada has faced obstacles that would have made lesser men step aside, but
he has persevered and come through successfully.
For Estrada, growing up on the mean streets in the Bronx, N.Y., was difficult at times, but in his heart he was determined to find a way to overcome the obstacles that surrounded him day and night.
In a neighborhood where violence is prevalent, where kids roamed in gangs and where selling drugs is a fast way to earn quick cash, Estrada never lost his focus to get off the streets and into the classroom.
"My parents taught me to do the best for myself and my family," says Estrada. "I’m not ashamed saying I’m from the Bronx. My parents taught me well because a lot of people get sucked into the environment of New York and go down the wrong path."
Football proved to be the avenue that gave him an opportunity.
Following his high school career, Estrada wanted to continue his pursuit of football, but he did not have many options since New York City isn’t really known for producing college football players.
"New York really isn’t a big football state," says Estrada. "After my senior year I took a year off and thought about what I could do in the future. I never thought I was good enough to play college football. I went to junior college at Nassau Community College. Once I was there and played a few games, I felt I had a chance."
While at Nassau, Estrada earned juco All-America recognition as a quarterback and linebacker while serving as team captain.
"When I was at Nassau, I tried to take it to a new level," says the senior physical education major who is specializing in athletic coaching education. "I took it slowly but surely."
Estrada found his way to West Virginia following junior college. He redshirted the 2000 season but the hard-hitting safety didn’t need much time last season to make his mark in the Mountaineer secondary.
Estrada started his first game for the Mountaineers and went on to start the next nine contests before fracturing his right leg in the second half at Syracuse, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. For the season, Estrada was credited with 69 tackles, two quarterback sacks, six tackles-for-losses and two forced fumbles. The coaches voted him the Gridiron Gladiator Award for his on-field tenacity.
Taking the field in today’s season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga, Estrada will have his starting position back and is the leader of the Mountaineer secondary.
"I try to lead by example," says Estrada. "I try to help the younger guys any way I can. I go out there and try to make plays. I do my assignments, what I’m taught by the coaches. But if I have a chance to hit somebody, I’m going to do it."
Estrada is faster, stronger and a little heavier than he was a year ago, and he has recovered fully from his broken leg and the sprained left ankle in the first spring scrimmage he got when he was blocked by a receiver.
"I feel great," says Estrada, following a workout during the Mountaineers’ two-a-day camp. "I’m going to be roaming the field this season. Sometimes back, sometimes up. I’m ready to have my best season."
Estrada believes that his senior year will be more productive because he has greater knowledge of the game. After playing rover last year, Estrada is now playing the bandit position. WVU’s new defensive scheme gives the Mountaineers a two-safety look, something he says will benefit the rush and pass defense.
"I like the new defense," says Estrada. "We feel like we fit this defense perfectly. Everyone is picking up on it real well. It seems like we’re communicating a lot better, and the coaches are doing a real good job of teaching it to us. Now it’s up to us to go out on the field and perform.
"Everyone’s stepped up and knows what he’s doing a lot better. No one wants to go through what happened last season. We put a little extra into everything during the summer."
Estrada likes his new placement on the field, which has him a little farther off the line of scrimmage. Most of all, he likes the fact it lets him do what comes naturally.
"It lets me be a football player," says Estrada. "I’m a little deeper off the line so it gives me a little more freedom to play and more opportunities to use my skills more than I did last year."
As Estrada looks around him in the secondary, he will have some new company around him. Gone are Rick Sherrod and Shawn Hackett, who combined for almost 300 tackles a year ago.
"We lost two outstanding safeties," says Estrada, "but I think we have players who can step into their shoes and perform at a level they did.
"We have to communicate on defense. That’s the big thing. It’s what will make us better as a defensive unit."
Life brings obstacles before us every day. To become another statistic on the streets of the Bronx would have been easy for Estrada. He is a shining example that obstacles are only there to be overcome.
