Estevan Barragan and The Road of the Walk-On

Many roads lead athletes to Fresno State, but the road of the “walk-on” is often the one less traveled. Bulldog running back Estevan Barragan made the decision to journey this unsure road after declining a full athletic scholarship to a university in North Dakota his senior year of high school.

“I wasn’t on the football team my freshman year, so I was just a regular student, you know, just taking my classes,” said Barragan. “But I told myself the only way I’m going to be on the team is if I start training. So I was waking up at five in the morning everyday.”

Barragan grew up watching his older brother play in Ceres, about an hour and a half north of Fresno. He became a two-way standout at Central Valley High School. Now, he is a running back for our very own Bulldog football team.

“Consistently grinding” as Barragan puts it, was key in earning his spot on the team. But being on the roster is only part of his goal. His endgame lies in earning the privilege of playing on scholarship and claiming the title of starting running back.

Barragan’s roommate, Andrew Railing, sees no signs of him slowing down in his work ethic. “It’s pretty much the same routine as when he was trying to walk on, early mornings and late nights, on his own or with the team,” said Railing.