Sophomore wide receiver Eli Aragon (2) leads Western Illinois in catches (28) and receiving touchdowns (three) this season. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Barry Bottino
Growing up just 60 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Eli Aragon enjoyed the beach, water sports in the Pacific Ocean, hiking in the hills above Oxnard, Calif., and about 300 days of sunshine a year.
The Western Illinois sophomore wide receiver also enjoyed football, which he started as a youth in Pop Warner leagues. When he arrived in Macomb this summer to play for new WIU head coach Joe Davis and the rebuilding Leathernecks, he noticed one big difference.
“The best part of going from a big city to a small town is the traffic,” Aragon said with a laugh. “There’s no rush hour in Macomb.”
Having played multiple sports as a young athlete, Aragon’s athleticism has stood out in his first season of Division I FCS competition. He leads the Leathernecks with 28 receptions and three touchdown catches.
After snapping a school-record, 27-game losing streak last month, Western is now 3-4 overall and 2-1 in its first year in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Football Association, putting the team in a tie for third place.
“I know the football team hasn’t won very many games the past two years,” Aragon said. “To come in my first year with a new coaching staff, new players and start a new tradition of winning, it feels great. I also know the city likes seeing a winning team.”
Prairie State Pigskin discussed football, family, food, celebrity sightings in his hometown, a future career and much more.
Get to know Eli Aragon in our Moving the Chains Q&A interview:
Against UT Martin this season, you completed a pass. Did you play quarterback growing up?
The last time I remember completing a pass was probably during my Pop Warner days. When I was younger, I did play quarterback. I was a dual threat. I’ve always told the (Western) coaches that I could play quarterback or do a trick play, just joking around. My wish came true. (Laughs) We’ve been running a play where I get a bubble (screen) pass and the defense is going to bite on it eventually. It was finally time for me to throw the ball, and I did.
How does a play like that go from joking around to being in the game plan?
You just keep bringing it up and eventually you manifest it and the coaches buy in. They said, ‘Make sure you complete this pass.’ I got one shot.
Speaking of quarterbacks, the QB you played with in high school — Devin Tate — also was your teammate last season at Ventura College. What was it like not catching passes from him this fall?
I’ve been playing with him since I was in elementary school, through middle school and all of high school. Just having that connection with a quarterback makes it easier on the offense and me. When I’m running a route, he knows where to throw it, where I’m going to be at. I also know that he knows how I run my routes, when I turn around, things like that. It’s a little difficult trying to create a chemistry with a quarterback you don’t really know. But at the same time, the stuff I learned with Devin Tate to make our chemistry better, I’ve taken that to (work with) Nate Lamb and Chris Irvin here. It’s worked out.
You grew up in Oxnard, Calif., in the Los Angeles area. What has the transition been like going from a major metro area to a small town in Macomb?
That transition was really big for me. I’m from California, with sunshine, rainbows, sunny skies. I come over here during the summer and it’s hot, humid. Coming from a big town to a small town is like a culture shock. Everybody knows each other here.
Halloween is right around the corner. What are the best and worst candies you can get while trick or treating?
The best candy, for sure, is Hershey’s chocolate with almonds. That’s my favorite. People can vouch for me on that. The worst candy, in my opinion, is the candy corns. You love them or you hate them. There’s no in between.
Against Illinois State, you had a reception along the sidelines where you twisted your body and kept one foot inbounds. Do you have a favorite catch you’ve made this season?
That one (at Illinois State) is by far my favorite catch because of the body control. (See the catch at 12:15 of this YouTube video) I ended up catching it with one hand and hauling it in with two. A lot of people say it’s a crazy catch or it’s lucky. To me, it’s not luck because I practice it every single day. I’m on the Jugs machines catching 200 footballs a day, every single day after practice. It’s like second nature to me.
If you take a teammate back to Oxnard, what are three things you must do?
I’d take them to a Mexican restaurant or any food truck there. Then the beach. There’s plenty to do there – kayaking, Jet Skiing. The third thing I’d have them do is go hiking. We have a lot of hiking trails because we live so close to the mountains. One of the trails is called Arroyo Verde. You can see the whole city and the ocean all in one view. You can see three cities, the beach and the islands across from us as well.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to go fishing. I started fishing when I was younger. Even if you don’t catch any fish, it’s still relaxing to be out on the water and have fun and ease your mind. The biggest fish I ever caught was about 10 pounds. It was a bass. It was my first time fishing. I caught eight fish that day. I don’t know if it was beginner’s luck or what. At home, I also like to surf. I go out every weekend and long board or short board. Obviously, you can’t do that here. There are no beaches. (Laughs)
Being from the Los Angeles area, you have so many pro teams to root for. Who are your favorite teams to support?
Everybody back at home goes for a local team like the L.A. Dodgers or the Rams. I actually like the Dallas Cowboys. My favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees. I get a lot of backlash for not liking the hometown teams.
Do you have any favorite sports jerseys in your closet?
It’s probably my Tony Dorsett throwback Dallas Cowboys jersey.
Dating back to the 1920s, Oxnard has been a place for celebrities to live and hang out. Have you had any brushes with greatness in your hometown?
Many times. We have the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard for training camp every year. I’ve seen Dak Prescott, Cee Dee Lamb, Tyron Smith, all the players. Outside of football, the biggest celebrity I’ve seen is probably Kanye West and his daughter. There’s a shopping center that’s well known in my city and a lot of celebrities like Kylie Jenner all have been there. It’s pretty amazing to see. You’d think they’d go shopping in L.A.
What other sports did you play growing up?
I played soccer, baseball and basketball. I did every sport you can think of. The main one I liked the most was soccer. My dad and my grandpa played, and they were both pretty good. My grandpa could’ve gone pro in soccer, but he ended up staying home with my grandma. It was cool to be taught the game by my father and grandfather.
Is there one sport you’ve always wanted to try?
If I had to pick one to compete in, I’d say surfing.
You also have a track and field background. Has your football teammate Toriano Tate tried to convince you to join him on the WIU track team?
Most definitely. (Laughs) We’ve had this talk so many times. He will say, ‘Yo, try to get coach let you join the track team.’ Honestly, I love track. I started running track my junior year of high school. I always regretted that because people told me my freshman year to run track because I was fast, but I didn’t end up listening until my junior year. I wish I could go back and run starting my freshman year. If there’s ever a slight chance that I could run for WIU, I would take that offer without hesitation.
How many people in Macomb have told you that you have a California accent?
Oh, my goodness. A lot of my teachers, when they hear me talk, say that I have a California accent. The first person to recognize my accent was my communications teacher. I was presenting in class and he said, ‘Sorry to interrupt you, but where are you from?’ I said, ‘I’m from California,’ and he said, ‘That explains a lot.’
What’s a dream job for you after college?
Obviously, I want to pursue the NFL. After all that is done, I’d like to be a sports psychologist since psychology is my major. I want to help out athletes when they are mentally struggling. It is a lot being an athlete in general, especially being a pro.
What’s the worst job that you’ve ever worked?
Last year when I was at Ventura College, I was working, going to school and playing football at the same time. I didn’t have a lot of leeway during the day. The most free time I had was at night. So, I worked at Michael’s, an arts and crafts store. My hours were midnight to 8 a.m. I was stocking shelves, cleaning everything up, folding boxes. I would get home from practice, take a little nap, wake up in the middle of the night and work eight hours. I’d go back home, sleep for two hours then (go to school and practice).
As a West Coast native, how passionate are you about In-N-Out Burger?
When people ask me what I miss from home, In-N-Out is the first thing that comes to mind. I think about it. I’ve probably dreamed about it a few times, quite frankly. That is the food I miss the most.
Is there anything you’ve found that comes close to In-N-Out?
Five Guys is OK, but I don’t like it because it’s just too expensive.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Macomb?
I’d say Sports Corner. I go there every Wednesday for the dollar wings special. I get about 25 wings and take that down. My favorite flavor is honey barbecue.
If Western ever has a bobblehead giveaway, which former WIU football player should be featured?
I would say (ex-NFL safety) Rodney Harrison. He’s probably one of the players with the most status coming out of WIU. He’s one that I’ve seen play even before I knew about Macomb.
When you think about your career today, what’s something you’re proud of?
Not giving up on myself. There’s been a few times, for instance when I was in juco and would be working late at night, that I’d wake up and think, ‘Do I really want to go to practice today? Should I do this? Do I want to keep playing football?’
I always think about my family and the sacrifices they made, especially my mom and dad. I wouldn’t want to let my family down, and I know they want to see me be happy and pursue what I love to do. Everybody has stress, and everybody has problems. I feel like if you can overcome your problems, work through them and grow as a person, everything should be alright. That’s what I’ve learned about myself the past few years. I’ve always pushed through, mentally and physically, and that got me where I am today.
If you’re having a bad day and you walk into the locker room, who’s the one teammate who can always turn your day around?
I’d say (quarterback) Nate Lamb. He reminds me of a big teddy bear. Every time I talk to him, he’s always joking around, trying to wrestle with everybody. If I was having a bad day, I think he would make me forget about whatever was going on.
Who’s a family member who always gives great advice?
My mother (Sandra), most definitely. She’s a really tough woman, a strong woman. She’s had a lot of experiences in life and could tell me what’s wrong and how I should handle things.
You certainly have friends at WIU from the Chicago area and the St. Louis area. Both cities have different takes on pizza. Which style do you prefer?
I’ve had both. My favorite is the Chicago pizza, the deep dish. I don’t really like the (St. Louis) thin one too much.
After the season is over, what’s one place in Illinois that you’d like to take a road trip to visit?
Who doesn’t want to go to Chicago? This is my first time being away from home and living in another state. My first time ever on an airplane was to take my visit here. I haven’t traveled much, in general. Being only three hours from Chicago, why not go there?
If you’re walking onto Hanson Field before a game, who’s the one person in your life most likely to make a surprise visit to see you play?
My girlfriend, Priscilla. She doesn’t like surprises herself, but she does love surprising other people the most out of everyone I know. If anyone would surprise me anywhere, it would most definitely be her. She lives back at home in Oxnard. We’ve been dating for two years, and we’ve known each other since sixth grade.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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