Jesse Garza (49) was one of four captains announced by Eastern Illinois following Saturday’s annual spring game. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
CHARLESTON – The look of wonderment filled Jesse Garza’s face.
After being asked what it meant to be voted a captain by his Eastern Illinois teammates, the redshirt senior pondered his response.
Garza paused and looked to the heavens over O’Brien Field Saturday following EIU’s annual spring game.
“It’s awesome for these guys to believe in me the way they do,” he said. “After the last two seasons I’ve had here, for them to have the belief and the trust in me means a lot. I love these guys so much. I can’t wait to play for them.”
After the Blue team (offense) slipped past the White team (defense), 43-42, on a late touchdown to cap head coach Chris Wilkerson’s fourth spring at his alma mater, the team gathered at midfield.
Garza, who transferred to EIU from a California junior college in 2023, was one of four team captains announced by Wilkerson. The other captains are graduate students Tienne Fridge and Cooper Willman along with junior Nic DiSanto.
The fact that Garza was on the field Saturday was certainly in doubt last fall.
After playing in EIU’s first three games last season, Garza was sidelined by a mysterious neck ailment that had doctors and team officials puzzled and concerned.
“We weren’t sure that he was going to be able to continue to play football,” Wilkerson said. “We had to wait quite some time before we had done enough research medically and that everybody involved was comfortable with him continuing to play physically.”
Garza, a Nipomo, Calif., native, faced an uncertain future. Asked what got him through the uncertain period, Garza again looked skyward before his answer came through loud and clear.
“Really it’s just trusting in the plan Jesus Christ has for me,” he said. “From high school to now, I’ve been through some things and seen some things in life. But it’s always been a part of God’s plan. I trust in that and lean on that. It’s gotten me here.”
Andrew Strobel, who coached EIU’s safeties last fall, was promoted to defensive coordinator in March when Collin Geier left to join the University of Pittsburgh staff. Strobel spent six seasons – the final three as defensive coordinator – at Morehead State prior to joining Wilkerson’s EIU staff in 2024.
Strobel said that EIU added seven defensive players as midyear transfers in January. He expects Garza and fellow redshirt senior Phoenix Porter to help lead his defense.
“It’s been huge (for me) making the transition and having those two guys that have played significant time,” Strobel said. “Having those voices of leadership has helped acclimate the new guys to what we’re doing.”
Fire and ice
Garza admires Porter for not resting on his past performances.
“Phoenix has been a great linebacker here for the last couple of years, (but) his ability to adapt and continue to get better is something that makes me say, ‘I hope I’m like that. I hope that I continue to improve,’” Garza said.
Wilkerson, a former defensive player for the Panthers in the 1990s, appreciates what both players provide. While each has battled injuries, the duo brings different personalities to the game.
“Phoenix is a guy who has been around a long time, played a lot of football,” Wilkerson said. “He’s had his ups and downs with injuries. He tore his knee up the year before I got here against (FBS) South Carolina. He’s had some shoulder problems, a hand problem, a thumb problem.
“(Now he’s in a) new system. It would be very easy for him to sour or leave – but he hasn’t done that. I’m very proud of him and his ability to put his nose down and continue to go to work.”
Wilkerson added that Porter is more a leader by example.
“He’s a high-energy guy, so sometimes he plays a little bit on the edge. He’s one of those guys we consider to be a bit of a wildcard,” Wilkerson said. “If we can get that wildcard pulling in the right direction, we’ll be in business.”
Meanwhile, Wilkerson appreciates Garza’s steady demeanor.
“The most important thing about Jesse is that he is who he is all the time,” Wilkerson said. ”He doesn’t change whether he’s in the building or the classroom or the community or at a (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) event. He’s Jesse Garza all the time. He’s an unbelievable person.”
Wilkerson said the coaching staff established offseason teams to help build unity and promote culture. This program features ways for players and their respective teams to earn points in a variety of ways and opportunities.
“Jesse has established more points than anybody in the entire program, and that’s just because he does things right,” WIlkerson said. “He’s obviously earned the respect of his teammates and coaching staff by being elected a team captain.”
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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