Rudy Varela Ready to Accept the Challenge Ahead of Senior Season
8/24/2026 11:12:00 AM | Football
By Tanner Evans
Senior center Rudy Varela might not be a household name among Falcon fans just yet, but that could change quickly when he takes the field as a starter for the first time in his career.
That role holds some weight; being a first-time starter on a unit nicknamed "The Diesel" is no small task. But Varela sees that pressure as an opportunity waiting to be accepted.
"Yeah, there's definitely some pressure but I'm excited and ready to accept that challenge." Valera said at Falcon football media day on August 3.
The lack of playing time during Varela's first three seasons shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of preparation. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound center spent those years learning behind Thor Paglialong and Coston Cooley, two first-team All-Mountain West selections who held down the center position before him.
Rather than sitting around, Varela used those seasons to learn from the two.
"I had the privilege to sit behind Thor and Coston Cooley and watch them play," Varela said. "I was able to take notes from them and pick up tips and tricks here and there."
Paglialong, in particular, became an early mentor for Varela.
"My freshman year I texted Thor and asked him, 'What do I have to do to be successful?'" Varela questioned. "He told me to get in that playbook. Once you learn the playbook, just play with power. So now everything we do, we do with power, and that's what I've tried to model my game after."
Now, Varela enters his senior season with an opportunity to put what he learned into action.
The challenge extends beyond replacing Cooley. Air Force must also replace Jack Burnett, giving the Falcons two All-Mountain West selections to replace along its offensive line from a year ago.
But the room isn't fazed by the challenge. The Falcons may be replacing two dominant starters, but Varela believes the group has been preparing for this moment.
"As we go into this season, we've taken those reps and those guys have mentored us well. Now we just need to go in and do what we've been taught. We're all excited to go out there and be the heart and soul of this offense," Varela said.
Success comes when preparation meets opportunity.
For Varela, three years of preparation have finally led to his opportunity. Now, all that's left is to execute.
--30--
Senior center Rudy Varela might not be a household name among Falcon fans just yet, but that could change quickly when he takes the field as a starter for the first time in his career.
That role holds some weight; being a first-time starter on a unit nicknamed "The Diesel" is no small task. But Varela sees that pressure as an opportunity waiting to be accepted.
"Yeah, there's definitely some pressure but I'm excited and ready to accept that challenge." Valera said at Falcon football media day on August 3.
The lack of playing time during Varela's first three seasons shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of preparation. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound center spent those years learning behind Thor Paglialong and Coston Cooley, two first-team All-Mountain West selections who held down the center position before him.
Rather than sitting around, Varela used those seasons to learn from the two.
"I had the privilege to sit behind Thor and Coston Cooley and watch them play," Varela said. "I was able to take notes from them and pick up tips and tricks here and there."
Paglialong, in particular, became an early mentor for Varela.
"My freshman year I texted Thor and asked him, 'What do I have to do to be successful?'" Varela questioned. "He told me to get in that playbook. Once you learn the playbook, just play with power. So now everything we do, we do with power, and that's what I've tried to model my game after."
Now, Varela enters his senior season with an opportunity to put what he learned into action.
The challenge extends beyond replacing Cooley. Air Force must also replace Jack Burnett, giving the Falcons two All-Mountain West selections to replace along its offensive line from a year ago.
But the room isn't fazed by the challenge. The Falcons may be replacing two dominant starters, but Varela believes the group has been preparing for this moment.
"As we go into this season, we've taken those reps and those guys have mentored us well. Now we just need to go in and do what we've been taught. We're all excited to go out there and be the heart and soul of this offense," Varela said.
Success comes when preparation meets opportunity.
For Varela, three years of preparation have finally led to his opportunity. Now, all that's left is to execute.
--30--
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 11
Monday, August 10
Tuesday, August 04
