Xavier Restrepo leads finalists for Latino Player of the Year
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Carlos Leon-Trejo, Contributor
- December 16, 2024
Navy captain Colin Ramos a finalist for Latino Player of the Year
It has been quite the year for Latinos in Division I football, especially Miami’s Xavier Restrepo, Iowa’s Sebastian Castro, Syracuse’s Trebor Peña, New Mexico State’s Tyler Martinez and Navy’s Colin Ramos.
The University of Miami was loaded with more big time Latino contributors than anybody, so naturally the Hurricanes have one finalist for Our Esquina’s Latino Player of the Year.
Restrepo, Castro, Peña, Martinez and Ramos represent the best of Latinos in college football. Equally important, they represent the best in sports off the field as well.
Restrepo rewrote the record books in Miami. Ramos put his name in the history books at the prestigious Naval Academy as a captain who capped his senior season with a victory over Army on Saturday.
Our Esquina’s player of the Year will be announced on Dec. 22. Meet the finalists:
Xavier Restrepo
In one of the most talented offenses in the Hurricanes’ recent memory, Xavier Restrepo stood out and broke records. The 5-foot-10, 198-pounder finished the regular season with 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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The fifth-year senior surpassed Santana Moss’ and Mike Harley’s records for most all-time catches and receiving yards. The Coconut Creek, Fla., native’s ability to secure catches and create separation made him a nightmare for defenses.
Xavier Restrepo and Miami’ quarterback Cam Ward were named AFCA First-Team All-Americans.
Sebastian Castro
Sebastian Castro, who was Our Esquina’s College Player of the Year for 2023, finished the regular season with 56 total tackles (38 solo). He also had one interception, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection.
Castro was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection at defensive back this season. He demonstrated his versatility and ability to disrupt plays. His physicality makes him an overall standout.
During the preseason, the 5-foot-11 205 pounder was named to the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, which is based on previous performance. He was named along with 41 other defensive backs.
Trevor Peña
Trevor Peña had a breakout season after he had been slowed by injuries throughout his career. Peña saved his best performance for the biggest game on the schedule, helping Syracuse upset Miami.
He put on a show by torching Miami’s secondary with a 50-yard reception followed by a 25-yard reception for a touchdown. It was his most impressive performance after coming off an injury riddled season.
Peña had 79 receptions for 871 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Tyler Martinez
New Mexico State’s Tyler Martinez finished the regular season with 94 total tackles (45 solo) and one sack.
Martinez earned a Second Team All-CUSA distinction. He was third in conference tackles per game. The 6-foot-2 220-pounder has the ability to disrupt plays.
He had a season-high 10 tackles against Middle Tennessee. Then he had nine solo tackles against Texas A&M.
Colin Ramos
Navy linebacker Colin Ramos led the Midshipmen with 117 total tackles (49 solo), three sacks, and a forced fumble. He has surpassed 100 tackles for two years in a row.
Ramos capped his season with a victory over rival Army to win the Commander-in-Chief Trophy. The 5-foot-9, 209-pound senior has been a First Team All-AAC selection for the second year in a row.
Ramos was also the Annapolis Touchdown Club Navy MVP in 2023.
Carlos Leon-Trejo
Contributor
Carlos Leon-Trejo is a co-host on the Bring on the Blitz! podcast on the Our Esquina network. A graduate of the University of Houston-Victoria, Leon-Trejo teaches fifth grade math and science in Houston ISD.
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