A couple years ago, Rubio Long Snapper Dallas Noriega was at the top of his game. He had been with me for quite some time and was now a 5 Star Long Snapper headed for a major D1 University – Arizona St.
He was flying high to say the least. He was dominating camps, a member of the TOP 12 (he even won the annual TOP 12 and EVENT ELITE Belly Flop Contest), a hit with his personality and was even known to bust out a cart wheel now and then. If you have seen Dallas, not a slight figure, you would be even more impressed.
Then, shortly before he was headed off to college, he was called by his new coach and informed that he hadn’t taken the right classes to get into that particular college. His grades and scores were fine, but he still needed to take one additional class to be allowed on the team. Bubble burst.
Dallas would not be going to ASU anytime soon. College football went from a tremendous dream being achieved to a nightmare moving farther and farther away.
Dallas enrolled at a local Junior College and didn’t let his dream stop. He stayed in shape, kept working on his snapping and became even better than before. Schools were knocking on the door. They wanted him on campus immediately. Conversations would be as follows “Rubio, he is a JC kid, he can leave whenever, so we want him now.” Issue, Dallas wasn’t a qualifier out of High School and never submitted the paperwork to do so. Therefore, he HAD TO obtain his A.A. degree from the local JC before moving on. Dallas would have to remain in Junior College for the full two years.
Dallas would not be going to college anytime soon. College football went from a tremendous dream being achieved to a nightmare moving farther and farther away.
Dallas pushed ahead. After a dominant first season, he started off-season training with the team with the new mindset that he would have to stay all two years at his Junior College. He could do it. Nothing would stop him now that everything was so clearly laid out for him now.
In April of 2012, Dallas was driving when another driver ran a red light, crashed into his car and destroyed his ankle. Yet again, Dallas’s dreams of playing college football were slipping away. Dallas, his dreams, his hope and his ankle were crushed. This was the point in a person’s life where they either throw up their hands and say “Why me?!?!” or when they pound their chest and say “Let’s go!!!!”
Dallas chose the latter.
He rehabilitated his ankle like a wild man, stayed positive and NEVER stopped pursuing his dream. Nothing, and I mean nothing, would stop him. His hard work paid off. Earlier this month, Dallas was awarded a scholarship to a 4 year college to play college football!
Dallas NEVER gave up. His dad, Ralph, told me he has never heard Dallas say the words “quit” or “I am tired.” I don’t doubt it.
I could not be more proud of a Long Snapper or person. Dallas is a true inspiration for all and I am proud to say I know him and he is a Rubio Long Snapper.
_________________________________________________________________
Rubio Long Snapping is, by far, the biggest and best resource for Long Snappers in the country. Offering the best instruction and most exposure in the world. Rubio Long Snapping can help you to become the best snapper you can be!
In just 12 years, Chris Rubio, President and Owner of Rubio Long Snapping, has become the #1 Long Snapping instructor in the country and the go-to man when a college coach needs a Long Snapper. Colleges from across the country rely on “Rubio’s” word day in and day out on who the best Long Snappers are in the country. Rubio Long Snapping has assisted in over 300 Long Snappers earning FULL SCHOLARSHIPS to major colleges and universities just for Long Snapping and many into the NFL as well.
287