Community Champion: Lama Lavea talks about decision to go to NMSU

After starring on the defensive line at Chapin, Lama Lavea is taking his talents to Las Cruces.

“It was a tough decision, to be honest, with all the other offers I had. Then for this one I felt at home and comfortable and like I can actually go to NMSU and be around family still. You know, I could be borderline with El Paso and Las Cruces,” he said.

The Huskies star says he hopes to make an immediate impact with the Aggies and has already spoken with NMSU defensive lineman Roy Lopez about successfully making the transition from high school to the college ranks.

Lavea had offers from other schools including Texas State and Air Force, and he says other El Paso-based UTEP commits talked to him about perhaps staying in El Paso. Chapin wide receiver Quintavius Workman and Parkland running back Deion Hankins are committed to UTEP, but they told Lavea to make sure he does what’s best for him in the end.

“It was more about trusting the process and waiting a little bit and seeing how I feel,” said Lavea, recalling his conversations with other players.

Lavea also says he is optimistic about his chances to make an immediate impact at NMSU as a freshman.

The Aggies could certainly use all the help they can get with an incredibly challenging schedule awaiting them in 2019. NMSU has games at Washington State, Alabama, and Ole Miss to look forward to in addition to home games against San Diego State and Fresno State.

But Lavea is looking forward to the challenge.

“You know, that’s always been part of the dream – to play against those big schools. And it’s also a lot of exposure that I can get,” he said. “And not just me, but team-wise, it’s a lot of exposure that we can get, whether we win or not.”