Growth can’t happen without effort, and Hugo junior quarterback Jayka Santillan is putting in the work to level up. “My goals are to be better at reading coverages and to make it farther in playoffs,” he said. The expectations are high, but the dedication is even higher.
The offseason at Hugo has been anything but quiet. “In the offseason, the team has been working really hard,” Santillan said. “We go to morning workouts, we have summer pride, then we get on the field and practice. With the new freshmen coming in, we work with them also. Altogether, the team is working hard.” For Santillan, that work isn’t just physical—it’s about learning how to lead.
After last season’s close calls, Santillan has seen a team more determined than ever. “I’ve seen that a lot of the hard work and the things we missed last season—those mistakes—we’ve been working on fixing,” he said. “It’s shown a lot of improvement. We’re really coming together as a team.”
One key ingredient to that growth? Accountability. “Showing up to every workout and offseason activity,” he said. “That’s what it takes.”
The Buffs’ biggest strength heading into the new season is their connection. “Communication and learning from each other,” Santillan said. “We had some problems with communication. I think it really has improved.”
As quarterback, Santillan’s mental game is constantly evolving. “I read the safety—see if he’s playing shallow, press, or cover 2,” he said. And when the pressure’s high? “Stay calm and stay focused and have a clear head,” he added. Physically, he’s dialed in, too. “I work out, practice my accuracy, and study my playbook.”
Santillan’s not just chasing numbers—he’s chasing impact. “I want my legacy to be that I was a team leader that they will remember, an inspiration, a great player that cared about my team—my family,” he said.
He wants people to understand what goes on behind the scenes. “The hard work and dedication we put in every day to make ourselves better,” he said.
Favorite memory? “Making it to the first round of playoffs.”
His go-to hype song? “Location by Khalid.”
