Anthony Cota’s dream is to play in the NFL.
After Monday’s announcement, the former Sierra High running back has never felt closer to realizing that goal.
Cota was named a Junior College Athletic Bureau California Community College Football Coaches Association All-American following a record-setting sophomore season at Modesto Junior College. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound running back set program marks for rushing yards in a season (1,315), rushing yards for a career (2,457) and total career touchdowns (30).
Along the way, he collected almost every major award, including Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year, all-region and now, All-American.
“It means a lot. My dream is to play in the NFL, so (this award) means a lot,” said Cota, who received a text message with the good news from position coach Brett Butler on Monday morning. “It says I’m not crazy for wanting to do that.”
Cota, 19, turned eyes on the football field, but transformed himself into an All-American in the weight room, where he put himself through grueling three-a-day workouts during the summer after his freshman season. Cota felt he finished that rookie campaign season strong, but realized his production could have been better if he were heavier and stronger.
He added 35 pounds to his 6-foot, 2-inch frame, while maintaining his 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash.
“Going into that summer, I knew I was little and had to get as big as possible. I could tell on certain runs that if I was bigger I could have done better,” Cota said. “It was hard. My body was tired, but it was definitely worth it. I’ll do it again this summer.”
Just who benefits from all that sweat and iron remains the question.
While he’s being courted by a number of Division I and II schools, Cota has work left to do in the classroom. To qualify academically for a Division I program, he needs to have a 2.5 GPA and an Associate’s Degree.
He says he’s on track to have both boxes checked by the summer.
There’s a seriousness to Cota’s voice when the conversation turns to his performance in the classroom. He understands the stakes are greater there than on the football field.
“I got to do it if I want to give myself the best chance of going to the NFL. I have to get good grades,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot better since my first semester at Modesto. I had to find myself. You have to grow up at a junior college. There’s no one to hold your hand. If you don’t want to go to class, you don’t have to go to class. The teacher is going to make you. You have to step up.”
If he does, Cota’s future could take many paths.
Among the high-profiled suitors are Boise State, Kansas State and Utah State. There’s also interest from Southeastern Louisiana, which lost in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
“It’s the best season any (MJC) running back has ever had,” Butler said. “He played the whole season hurt, too; never 100 percent and he still put up crazy numbers. He’s the man, arguably the best (MJC) player ever.”
Where ever he goes, Cota won’t forget his two years in Modesto, a tradition-rich program that has become a launching pad for many of the area’s top talents. Among the former Pirates playing at the next level are East Union alum Teejay Gordon at the College of Idaho and former Ripon two-sport star Jake McCreath, now a tight end with the Oregon Ducks.
Cota feels honored to be a part of that fraternity.
“I’ve made some great relationships that I’ll probably have for the rest of my life, with coaches and with my teammates,” he said. “I’m closer than I ever expected to be with them because you’re only here for two years, but I’ve made some friendships I’ll have for a longtime.
“It feels like a family. We were brothers and I play harder for someone I’m close with. I was close with the whole team, so I played as hard as I could.”
