A two-year starter at right guard... brings a wealth of experience to the offensive line, a line that helped the Rams rank among the NCAA FCS leaders last year... moved into the starting lineup at right guard as a sophomore after making four starts as a rookie in 2010... brings size and strength to the offensive line... has developed into a solid member of the Rams' offensive line... a First Team All-City selection in high school.
2012: Started all eleven games at right guard as a junior... helped running back Carlton Koonce set the school single season rushing record with 1,596 yards... also helped the Fordham offense average 435.7 yards/game, second best in the Patriot League and 20th best in the NCAA FCS while the Rams scored 31.2 ppg, second in the league and 31st in the NCAA FCS... Fordham offense also had the second ranked passing offense in the Patriot League in 2012, averaging 279.6 yards/game, 18th best in the NCAA FCS.
2011: Started all eleven games at right guard as a sophomore... helped the Fordham passing offense rank 41st in the NCAA FCS, averaging 229.7 yards/game.
2010: Appeared in seven games for the Rams as a freshman, making four starts at right guard... helped the offense average 176.0 rushing yards per game, second in the Patriot League and 31st in the NCAA FBS... Fordham offense was also ranked second in overall offense in the Patriot League (383.5 yards/game)... offensive line also allowed just 16 sacks in eleven games, third best in the Patriot League.
Before Fordham: A graduate of Montwood High School in El Paso, Texas, where he played for head coach Chuck Veliz... a 2009 First Team 5A-1 All-District selection... named 2009 Outstanding Offensive Lineman... a 2009 El Paso Times All-City pick... served as a team captain... recorded 10 pancakes in 2009 while allowing only one sack at tackle... named 2008 El Paso Times All-City... recipient of the El Paso All-Star Bowl Leadership award... earned Academic All-District honors for three years... graduated in the top ten percent of his class... named Student of the Year and received the Ram Award.
Personal: Son of Linda and Ruben Tapia... has two older brothers, Chris and Anthony... a Business Administration major.
