Jose Diaz

What Scouts Say: "It's hard to find centerbacks who are both good with their feet and good on the tackle ... He's got good size and he's a good athlete ... He's got good athleticism, good in the air, strong and has decent speed ... Probably a centerback in MLS but they also used him as a holding midfielder in college ... Good, clean feet ... Versatile player and good in combination play ... He has decent ability to read angles ... Pace may be a question at the next level, although he handled forwards in college ... He's got bite to him. May have to mature and tone down his tackling to avoid cards on the MLS level ... Played at Tecos in Mexico in the summer of 2012 ... Born in the USA and family is of Mexican descent."

2012: Diaz was named All-Big West in 2012 as the Highlanders set program Division I era records for wins (10) and goals (37) this season. Diaz had three goals on the year, all off penalty kicks, and two which were game winners.

2011 Named to the Big West Conference Honorable Mention Team (story) ... Finished the season ranked tied for third on the team in goals scored and tied for fifth in points ... Recorded the first assist of his UC Riverside career on an Ivan Garcia goal in the Highlanders' 3-0 win over Sacramento State on September 1.

2010 Named to the Big West Conference Honorable Mention Team (story).

2009 One of five members of the Highlanders to start at least 16 games on the season ... Saw his first action and made his first start for UC Riverside in a 1-0 loss at Sacramento State on September 4 ... Took the first shot of his career in the Highlanders 2-1 win over San Jose State on September 13.

High School Letter winner in soccer at Santiago High School ... Led the team to a 20-4 record and CIF berth in 2005, and a 14-12 record in 2006 ... Two-time All-Academic award ... Played with the Cal South ODP team from 2006-08 ... Was the starting center back for the Arsenal FC of the USSF Development Academy ... Played with the L.A. Galaxy Sum Cup team in 2007 ... Was scouted and on trial with San Luis, a Mexican First Division team ... Participated in the Huno Club, Key Club, Environmental Club, Ping Pong Club, and Art Club ... Volunteered to teach children soccer ... Worked in a library.

Personal Jose Raymundo Diaz is the son of Raymundo and Blanca Diaz ... Considers his parents to be his biggest athletic influences because “they were my number one fans and they wanted me to do something special with my life” ... Majoring in mechanical engineering ... Roots for the Arsenal FC and lists Kobe Bryant, Manny Ramirez, and Mikah Richards as his favorite athletes ... Enjoys eating Mexican food ... Watches “Sports Center” on television and cites “Superbad” and “The Hangover” as his favorite movies ... Listens to Lil Wayne, Bob Marley, and Kid Cudi ... Hobbies include playing video games and pong ... Most memorable sporting achievement was connecting on a game-winning goal at the last minute ... Career goal is to receive his college degree, play professional soccer, and meet President Obama.

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