Lake View State Champion Commits to Play College Football

SAN ANGELO, TX — Lake View High School's state champion powerlifter and a pivotal piece to the Chiefs' defensive line on the football team last season, James Hogeda, recently committed to Sul Ross State to play football in college.

Hogeda made the decision on Wednesday, April 29.

"It feels amazing," Hogeda said after the announcement. "It's another achievement I've long dreamed of accomplishing."

The San Angelo Lake View senior won the state title in the 275-pound weight class at the Division II state powerlifting meet at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene earlier this year. Hogeda lifted 715 pounds in the squat, 435 in the bench press, and 620 in the deadlift for a total of 1,770 pounds.

Last football season, Hogeda was a part of a much-improved Chiefs' defense that helped Lake View finish with its best record in 29 years. Lake View finished with a 7-4 overall record and was one game out of first place in district play. Unfortunately, Lake View ran into a meat grinder in the opening round of the playoffs against Lampasas, but overall it was still an incredibly successful year for the Chiefs, who had finished 2-9 in 2024.

The 6-foot-1 defensive tackle helped anchor the defensive line last season. Hogeda finished with 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack during his senior campaign. 

Hogeda joins a Sul Ross State squad which is new to NCAA Division II Football. With only one season in the Lone Star Conference under its belt, Sul Ross State has room to grow. Hogeda hopes to be a part of that growth. When asked, he had nothing but good things to say about the campus. 

"The atmosphere when I went on the visit was the main reason I picked Sul Ross State," Hogeda said. "The coaches and players had nothing but respect. Even though I was not a part of the team, it already felt like I was home."

The Lobos still seek their first win as a D-II school since moving up divisions. Sul Ross finished 0-11 last season but showed significant improvement as the season progressed. Players like Hogeda will help the Lobos take another step forward and might be the key to finding the football program's first D- II win in the future.

Hogeda announced he will officially sign in the near future, so stay tuned.