Terraka Garner
Staff Writer
Idaho State University graduate, Justin Arias is known to work tirelessly for what he wants to achieve.
His hard work and dedication led him to complete a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in physical education, athletic administration within a four-year time-span.
Arias completed a little over 60 percent of his passes with a total of 4,076 yards and with a 38 to 10 touchdown to interception ratio.
While starring as quarterback for ISU’s football team, given his stat-line, Arias has already made his case on the field.
In doing so he has played an instrumental role in turning around the ISU football program, which has not had a winning season since 2003.
He aims to catch the eye of the National Football League (NFL). He said he has received some buzz from the NFL in the past but not so much currently.
“I’m hoping I’ll get signed as a free agent and at least get a tryout,” said Arias.
He recently travelled to Tampa, Florida for three days to play with the Calgary Stampeders.
“It was hot. It was humid. It was a good experience because there’s a lot of guys that have been on NFL rosters that have been released, so the talent level was definitely higher than college so it was a good experience to be around those types of guys,” Arias said.
Arias started his college career at a junior college, the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California where he received his Associate’s degree after only one year.
After receiving a scholarship opportunity, Arias travelled to Pocatello to attend ISU.
He is not yet sure what he wants to do with his degree but would like to stay in the realm of athletics.
“It gives me the option to be an [athletic director] or a coach,” said Arias. “I’ve thought about going further but I probably wouldn’t do it right away because writing my thesis was pretty exhausting and I just kind of need a little time off.”
Arias eventually wants to obtain a Master’s in Business Administration and possibly a Doctoral degree.
“He’s going to succeed in whatever he wants to do: in football or in the business world or wherever he wants to go and in whatever he wants to do,” said Assistant Athletic Director Steve Schaack. “He’s going to be just fine.”
Inspiration struck when Arias watched his brothers play sports before him and said his family is a bunch of sports fanatics. He started critiquing games around the age of 11 but wasn’t serious about his critiques until high school.
“I looked up to my oldest brother. He played quarterback in high school and he’s seven years older than me,” said Arias. “I really looked up to him when he was playing then after high school I started looking up towards Tom Brady. I really liked how he played and how he conducted himself.”
If his dream were to be granted, Arias would be a member of the New England Patriots. He bases his admiration of football teams on the team quarterback.
“I actually used to be a Falcons fan. I pick my teams by quarterback because I play quarterback, so once I saw Tom Brady play I really liked him so I just started liking the Patriots,” said Arias. “Once I started reading a little bit about [Patriots Coach Bill] Belichick and how he does things I really liked him.”
Arias commended Belichick because of his ability to bring “troublemakers like Randy Moss” in and give them the skills to be a team player.
Arias said he would miss being part of the ISU Bengal football team because of the guys he has had the chance to meet and who have accompanied him in his four years at ISU. He said he will miss the relationships but the team members will “definitely stay in touch.”
“Justin is not only a great football player. He’s just as good of an individual,” said Schaack.
