ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Mishak leaves Texas State University, eyes transferring to TAMUK

WESLACO — Former Weslaco Panther football star Mishak Rivas confirmed on Wednesday that “it’s a great possibility” he will play football for Texas A&M-Kingsville next fall.

Rivas said he has been in communication with Javelinas offensive coordinator Clay Patterson for the last month and could be on campus as early as this summer to begin workouts. Rivas is no longer enrolled at Texas State University where he spent two seasons with the Bobcat program, but was unhappy with his lack of playing time and coaching moves within the program.

Last week, associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Travis Bush left Texas State for University of Texas-San Antonio where he was hired by head coach Larry Coker to be his offensive coordinator when the Roadrunners begin play in 2011. It was Bush who heavily recruited Rivas when he was with the Panthers.

Rivas, who is taking this semester off, considers his time in San Marcos as a life learning experience.

“If it’s not in your heart anymore, it’s hard to pursue things,” Rivas said. “I wasn’t happy anymore.” 

The 5-foot-7 speedster accumulated 803 all-purpose yards as a receiver, rusher and kickoff specialist last season, despite missing two games with a fractured foot. Mostly used as a slot receiver, Rivas hauled in 66 receptions for 901 yards and seven touchdowns in two years in the position. His solid contribution included 40 catches for 625 yards and three touchdowns during his freshman year, which was good enough for second best on the team. But it was as a kick returner where Rivas brought that game-breaking threat and was awarded All-Southland First-Team honors as a return specialist after averaging 23 yards per return.

“Because of his injury situation early his sophomore year, we were unable to use him as much as we would have liked,” said Texas State head coach Brad Wright via e-mail. “As his ankle heeled and he stopped limping, we used him more and more throughout the conference schedule.”

Wright, who just signed a three-year contract extension with the school on Tuesday, understands Rivas’ decision to leave the program.

“Mishak made a decision that he thought would benefit his academic and athletic career,” Wright said.

Rivas believes he will play the same kind of role “maybe more as a running back” if and when he starts playing for the Javelinas. Because Rivas hasn’t signed with the Javelinas officially, Patterson said through an e-mail that he couldn’t comment on the situation. But Rivas believes he should be able to transfer without any problems and expects to be in a Javelina uniform with a full-scholarship and two years of eligibility remaining in his college career.

“They’ve already talked to me about that,” Rivas said.

Through a blog posted on sanmarcosrecord.com on Wednesday, Texas A&M-Kingsville head coach Bo Atterberry told the paper Rivas first approached the school about his intentions to transfer, after which the Javelinas sent a request of information to the Bobcats program about Rivas. As of now, a full-scholarship hasn’t been offered.  

Rivas said playing in Kingsville would be a fresh start to his college career. If indeed he plays next fall, the former South Texas star will be teammates with six other players currently on the roster from the Valley including former Edcouch-Elsa quarterback Erik Niño, whom with Rivas said he has already had a few conversations about next season.

“I feel like I can help the team out as much as possible,” Rivas said. “Over there they produce a lot of NFL athletes.”

Rivas electrified South Texas fans with his mesmerizing athleticism on the football field where he rushed for more than 6,800 yards during his high school career and scored nearly 100 touchdowns, with about 90 percent of those stats amassed during his sophomore, junior and senior years under Weslaco head coach Tony Villarreal. His true mark was left in 2007, when he shattered Valley records left and right with 3,300 yards rushing in his senior year and 47 touchdowns, becoming the Valley’s all time leading rusher for career, single season, single game and single season in TDs.

Rivas could very well have an opportunity to showcase what many Valley fans saw from 2004-07 in a Panther uniform.

“It would be a big uplifting,” said Rivas of playing for the Javelinas. “A lot more Valley people will get to see me play.”