The phone call came unexpectedly and without guarantees, but for MacArthur linebacker Xavier Raygoza, it was all he needed.
As the final player invited to the 2026 Bayou Bowl, Raygoza arrived with no fanfare but with everything to prove. Days later, he left as a defensive starter, having turned a last-minute opportunity into an undeniable moment in front of a packed stadium one final time.
“When I got the call on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the thought that kept running through my head was, It’s actually happening. All the work I put in, I can finally show it on a bigger platform,” said Raygoza.
While other players received their invitations early and shared Bayou Bowl graphics on social media, Raygoza waited in uncertainty. That changed with a phone call from the selection committee, sealing his spot as the final invitee to the 2026 Bayou Bowl.
“First, my head coach, Blake Ware, called me, and then Coach Dick Olin called me,” said Raygoza.
Even with the call, for Raygoza, the work that made it possible had been in the making for years. As a senior with limited offers, he often felt overlooked, and the slow pace of his recruitment began to weigh on him.
“With my recruitment being slow, it made me want to do more of the extra work and play my best every game, no matter the score,” said Raygoza.
“Xavier has been a great leader for our program at MacArthur,” said MacArthur High School head football coach Blake Ware. “When my staff and I arrived during his junior season, Xavier was among the first to buy into the new direction we were taking. He was a voice in the locker room and on the practice field. More importantly, his play on the field was undeniable. He did whatever he was asked to do. He played hard on every snap.”
Although Raygoza’s nomination came late, it was well deserved.
A three-year varsity letterman and two-year varsity starter, Raygoza finished his senior season with 73 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, and two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. His impact, however, extended beyond the stat sheet.
“Raygoza has a positive impact on the defensive unit. He’s coachable and goes hard on every rep,” said Ware.
“During the season, colleges really didn’t look into me until after the season,” said Raygoza. “In the beginning, when colleges didn’t show me any attention, it was very discouraging and made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to play college football. But throughout the season, that discouragement turned into more passion for the game. Not getting noticed made me work harder and play better in each game I played, so I could prove that I do have the talent to play in college.”
Raygoza’s persistence paid off when he earned First Team All-District honors this season, and he drew interest from Millsaps College. Yet, at the Bayou Bowl, accolades meant little. Nearly everyone on the field had similar credentials, but they were all fighting for one final opportunity to impress college coaches.
“Knowing I was the final invite gave me more determination to go out there and show them what talents I had,” said Raygoza. “Being 5-foot-10, 205-pound, I’m usually on the smaller side for my position, so I have to outwork everyone else on the field and in the weight room.”
That determination was evident from the start.
“During practice, Raygoza showed a ton of initiative,” said Pearland Dawson linebackers coach Jamie Hutchison, who coached the linebackers in the 2026 Bayou Bowl. “He proved himself with a really high motor and asked great questions. It was clear he loved the game and wanted to make an impact. He came in with some ability and a ton of ‘want to’. He was an absolute pleasure to coach, and I cannot wait to see what is next for him.”
Raygoza recalls the exact moment he realized he belonged.
“On the first day of full-contact practice, the tight end pulled and came to block me, but I hit him, got off the block, and then made the play on the running back,” said Raygoza. “Both of these kids were way bigger than me, but I remember coach telling me, no matter my size, to go out there and hit because he could see it in me. That’s when I realized I belonged.”
For Raygoza, the Bayou Bowl meant more than football. It held personal significance as he continues to pursue the opportunity to become a first-generation college student.
“Being the first person in my family to attend college means a lot,” said Raygoza. “I have to keep being great so my little brother can follow my lead and be even better. I want him to see that whatever obstacles are in front of you, never quit, always keep going, because all you need is one person to notice.”
While football may open doors, Raygoza plans to pursue a degree in civil engineering, determined to prove that academic success and athletic excellence can coexist.
“If he chooses to attend Millsaps College, they will be getting a kid who understands what it means to be selfless,” said Ware. “Xavier plays with a team-first mentality. He understands that the importance of everything is the team, not individual goals. His heart for the game, how hard he plays, and his love for the team will have a positive impact on any football program he chooses.”
As the Bayou Bowl concluded, Raygoza’s journey is far from over; it’s simply evolving.
“This memory of being in the bayou bowl will stay with me forever; it is something I will never forget,” said Raygoza.
He arrived as the final call, but left as proof that opportunity favors the prepared.
“Being resilient and believing in yourself is the message his story sends to overlooked athletes,” Ware said. “We always tell the kids, you never know who is watching. The message is that everything is important. Whether it’s a game or a shirt-and-shorts workout during the spring, you never stop giving your maximum effort.”
About Xavier Raygoza:
Class: 2026
IG: @D1.xavier45
Twitter: @Xavier45Raygoza
Position: Outside linebacker, fullback
Height & weight: 5-feet-10, 205 pounds
Favorite artist: Gavin Adcock
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: English
