Temple University Athletics
From Coast to Coast: How Diego Barajas Found a New Home at Temple
11.7.25 | Football
When Diego Barajas packed his bags and left his hometown in California for Philadelphia, he knew it wouldn't be easy. Moving more than 2,000 miles away wasn't part of his original plan, but for Barajas, stepping out of his comfort zone was exactly what he needed.
"It was different," Barajas said, reflecting on his transfer from junior college two years ago. "Moving from California to Philadelphia was definitely not something I had in my cards. But I wanted to start my life away from home and experience something new."
Barajas, now a redshirt senior at Temple, came east for the right reasons: strong academics, a trusted coaching staff, and the chance to grow as both a player and a person. "The academics here were a big thing for me and my family," he said. "The O-line coach at the time had a good reputation, and I just trusted my gut."
That trust and family influence run deep in Barajas' life.
His family – his parents, older sister, and two younger brothers – have been his foundation since the beginning. "My parents are my rocks," Barajas said. "We're a very competitive family. That's how we get our edge."
But no one shows that support quite like his mom. Known among their extended family and friends for her creative flair, she designs shirts and gear for every season complete with Diego's face and number. "She's really good at it," he said with a laugh. "Every year she makes a shirt with different pictures of me. She's my number one fan."
That unwavering support helped carry Barajas through what he describes as two of the toughest years of his football career.
After a promising spring in his first year at Temple, an injury derailed his season before it really began. "I expected to start and play the whole first season," he said. "Then I got hurt in the first game, came back later, and didn't play well. That affected my playing time, and I ended up redshirting."
Even when he returned the next season, things didn't click right away. "There was a lot going on that prevented me from reaching my full potential," he said. "I think I played pretty average last year."
He remembers specific moments – like the UTSA game – not with regret, but as lessons in resilience. "I look back not to dwell, but to see what I could've done differently," he said. "Now my approach is totally different. I've learned to have that next-play mentality."
That shift didn't happen in isolation. It came alongside a larger transformation within Temple's offensive line room, one that Barajas credits to the arrival of new O-line coach Al Johnson.
"If you asked anyone in that room, they'd tell you Coach Johnson changed everything," Barajas said. "We enjoy being in the facility now. We enjoy watching film, working together – it's fun again. When you have fun, you can do so much more."
Last season's culture, he admitted, was heavy. Confidence was low, and players felt like they couldn't make mistakes without consequence. "I felt like I played with a sword hanging over my head," he said. "You can't play scared. When you're worried about messing up, that's when you do."
Now, that fear has been replaced with belief. "It's night and day compared to last year," Barajas said. "Our preparation lets us play faster, more physical. Even when we make mistakes, we're still going 100%. That's the difference."
According to Barajas, you can ask anyone around the team, and they'll tell you that Temple's offensive line is one of the closest-knit groups on the roster – a bond Barajas takes pride in. "We do everything together," he said. "That chemistry shows on and off the field. We trust each other to get the job done."
He laughs when the topic comes up, even pulling in nearby teammates to settle the debate. "Hey, which position group is the tightest?" he shouts across the field. The responses vary – "Linebackers!" from one side, "O-line!" from another – but the grin on Barajas' face says he already knows the answer.
Still, he knows that strong bonds don't erase challenges. Coming off a tough loss to East Carolina, Barajas keeps perspective. "You can't dwell on a loss like that," he said. "Sure, you've got to go back, fix what needs fixing, but you also gotta move forward. Take the good for what it is and keep working. We're not done yet."
For Barajas, that blend of accountability and optimism reflects the lessons he's learned – from his mom's endless support to his teammates' trust to his own resilience.
He came to Temple looking for growth in his discomfort, and in the process, found a new kind of family. One that pushes him, believes in him, and reminds him that leadership starts not with words, but with the examples you set every day.
