Durango’s own Terrence Trujillo is ready to come home to play college football.
Trujillo, a 2015 graduate of Durango High School, signed a National Letter of Intent to play at FLC after he spent three seasons at Eastern New Mexico University. The quarterback played in four games in 2018 when he ran the ball seven times for 39 yards.
Trujillo will have two years of eligibility remaining. Newly named FLC interim head coach Brandon Crosby called Trujillo’s move a “no-brainer.”
“You get kids who have been through the process, and they know what it takes to compete at this level,” Crosby said. “He’s not a blank canvas; he’s ready to go.”
Trujillo will compete for the quarterback job, which already will have competition with at least four players.
“It’s always been the dream to play at the Fort,” Trujillo said. “I loved Eastern in general, but once I met with (the FLC coaching staff), I knew it was the place for me. It just made sense with my family being here and they could watch me in the stands every week.”
Trujillo starred for DHS as a two-year starter and passed for more than 1,900 yards during his senior season along 27 touchdowns. He was also good on his feet that year, as he racked up 881 yards on 118 carries and had eight touchdowns to help the Demons to a 10-2 season and a quarterfinal appearance in the 2015 Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A playoffs.
Trujillo was lured by Crosby’s style of offense.
“At Eastern, we ran the triple option a lot, and while I enjoyed playing it, the air raid and spread offense is more compatible with my style of play,” Trujillo said. “I’m comfortable in the pocket, and it’s just my most comfortable option.”
The quarterback position an area the Skyhawks struggled last year. Fort Lewis had five players split time at the position, including two receivers. Sophomore Jake Lowry started before a season-ending injury cut his season short in the third game of the year. Erik Ornduff played four games late in the year, and senior Nick McNamee saw time in the middle of the season before an injury also took him out. The quarterbacks combined for 21 interceptions to only 18 touchdowns and 1,981 yards. They ranked 10th out of 11 teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for total passing, and FLC was last in the rushing game.
Trujillo understands that the competition to be the starting quarterback will be fierce but is looking forward to it.
DHS head coach David Vogt said a competitive edge was one of Trujillo’s finest qualities.
“He’s level-headed and has always been a great competitor,” Vogt said. “Because whether he gets the starting job or not, he’s the type of kid that will boost the rest of the QBs just by his work ethic and attitude.”
Crosby has already been impressed by the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Durangoan.
“Terrence is a huge get for us,” he said. “Since he’s been here, his work ethic has been phenomenal, and already, I’d say he’s pound-for-pound one of the strongest guys we’ve got.”
Trujillo is not the first quarterback to transfer to FLC during the offseason, as the Skyhawks also signed Isaac Leppke out of Wyoming last month. Lowry and Ornduff will also compete for the job.
While the competition for the starting job will be fierce, Trujillo is just happy to be back home, wearing the blue and gold of FLC.
“It’s so great to be back home again,” Trujillo said. “I’m just looking forward to competing and doing whatever I can to help the team be successful in any way possible. Crosby and the rest of the staff are building something special here, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
bploen@durangoherald.com
