CLINTON – Since third grade, Xavier Santos has played middle linebacker every year with one exception. At 210 pounds, Santos found himself moved to nose guard on the defensive line as a sophomore during the Fall II season.

“I’ll play anywhere the coaches think I can help the team win,” said Santos, who is now a junior for the Gaels. However, he wanted to play middle linebacker because that’s the position he was most comfortable. “I knew I wanted that position and I had to work hard for it.” He has worked hard. Santos devoted himself to slimming down and building up his strength in the weight room over the summer, while also working on his speed and agility needed to play middle linebacker.

“I feel amazing,” he said. “I’m a lot faster, more athletic, and capable of doing a lot more now. I wasn’t happy with my weight and I wanted to be a middle linebacker. I enjoyed playing nose tackle, but I’ve played middle linebacker my whole life. It’s what I wanted to do and I just wanted to earn the job.”

“He had a great summer in the weight room,” said Clinton head coach Justin Ball at a recent practice. “He just loves football and worked hard to get better. He’s becoming a leader which makes me very proud of him.”

Santos’ hard work paid off as he is the Central Mass leader in tackles at middle linebacker with a whopping 87 total tackles through five games, including 52 in the last two games. With his slimmed-down 188-pound, 5-feet-10-inch frame, he has the innate ability to track the football. “He has a good nose for the ball,” said Coach Ball. “He knows where the ball is going at all times. Wherever the ball is going, X is going.”

At middle linebacker, Santos is responsible for both the A- and B-gaps along the line and his success tackling the ball carrier depends on his ability to be aware of a few factors in front of him on the field. First, he simply keeps his eyes on the ball, but secondly, and just as important, he must be aware of what the offensive guards are doing on the line-of-scrimmage. “If I see the guards pull slightly to the right, I know the ball is probably going to be there,” he said. “Same if they pull left.”

Santos also has to be aware of the opponent’s passing game as well. “I have to pin on the inside slot receiver,” he said. “If I see him move inside, I have to be there to help break up a pass or hit him if he catches the ball.”

At times, there is a danger for middle linebackers to get caught by the play-action pass, but Santos knows he can’t get down on himself if he ends up in no-man’s land in the defensive backfield. “Sometimes you get caught here or there, but I don’t shake my head when I make a mistake,” he said. “It happens. I just try to keep my head up and do better next time. But when I see the quarterback rolling back and when I see the ball in front of me, I just go full force after it.”

Xavier Santos having a laugh during stretches with his coach at practice. Photo by Kevin Paul Saleeba

Santos credits senior captain Lincoln Ashline, who calls the defensive plays at the other middle linebacker position for Clinton, as a positive role model and the reason he has been able to make so many tackles on defense. 

“I watch Lincoln and the stuff he does on defense,” Santos said. “I see how hard he works and I just want to do what he does. I hope I become a role model like him some day. He always has his head up. He’s always there to help me. He’s got a good positive attitude and he’s got heart on the field. You have to have a good heart. I try to be like him. I try to be a good leader by working hard and having good sportsmanship.”

Ball said Santos is a positive kid to be around at practice. “To have a kid like Xavier, who wants to be a leader and wants to make his teammates better, that just makes my job as a coach much easier,” he said. “He keeps everyone loose at practice. He’s got a great sense of humor. And when it’s time to buckle up the chin straps, he gets to work.”

Santos hopes someday to play college ball for UMass Amherst, but in the meantime, he wants to continue to improve his game. After the season, he plans to tryout for the basketball team and the track squad in order to improve his speed, agility, and conditioning.

However, football will always be his first love. Santos’ favorite team is the Seattle Seahawks. He loves to watch Russell Wilson, but it was Seattle’s Legion of Boom defense that won Super Bowl 48, with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner roaming the field, that inspires him most.

“I love football,” said Santos with a smile. “I love to watch it on TV and I love to play Madden with my friends. But I love to emulate Bobby Wagner’s style on the field. He’s a great athlete and puts in the work on the field. That’s what I try to do.”

Santos describes the Clinton defense as aggressive, similar to the Legion of Boom. “We make sure we are aggressive and strong on the field,” he said. “We are motivated and we work well together. This is how I like to play. I love hitting. It’s my favorite thing.”

Santos does not plan to rest on his laurels. “When I found out I led the league in tackles, I was shocked and surprised,” he said. “I never expected it. I hope to keep the number one spot for the rest of this year and the next. It’s always been a goal of mine and I have to keep working hard to keep it. My goal is to be the best I can be and to help others on my team to reach their goals.”