Paloma Football Standout Diaz Signs With Briar Cliff

Jacob Diaz is joined by Paloma Valley head football coach Bert Esposito (left) and assistant coach Juan Merida as he signs his letter of intent with Briar Cliff University. (Photo courtesy Bert Esposito)

Jacob Diaz, a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Paloma Valley High School last fall, today signed a national letter of intent to play football at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa.

Diaz chose Briar Cliff over several other small colleges that showed interest in him, said his coach, Bert Esposito.

"He took his trip there in December and got snowed in for a couple days," Esposito said. "I didn't know how that would affect his decision. But they really kept after him."

Last fall, Diaz caught 46 passes for 687 yards and 4 touchdowns. On defense, the 5-foot-11, 184-pound senior made 24 solo tackles with three interceptions. He plans to study sports management at Briar Cliff.

"Jacob is a tremendous athlete and person," Esposito said. "He learned the system so fast that he really became a go-to guy. He wasn't flat-out fast on offense, but he got to the spot when he needed to. On defense, he was very smart and savvy."

Briar Cliff, which has had a football program since 2003, competes in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Last fall, the Chargers were 2-9.