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Built Different: How 8-Year-Old Jose A. Pagan IV Is Rewriting the Rules

At an age when most kids are still figuring out the rules of the game, Jose A. Pagan IV is already rewriting them.

The 8-year-old multi-sport athlete has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year competition, a stage typically reserved for far more seasoned competitors. What stands out is not simply the recognition. It is the complete package he brings: dual-threat ability on the football field, versatility on the baseball diamond, elite training habits, and a mindset that refuses to accept limits.

On the football field, Pagan operates as the quarterback, the player charged with directing the offense and delivering in critical moments. He also lines up at linebacker, matching intensity and physicality on the defensive side of the ball. The willingness to play both ways is rare at any level. At 8, it signals an advanced understanding of the game and a readiness to put the team first.

Jose Pagan IV and Father Jose Pegan III preps child before game at Fontana High School - Photos by - Bruno De Witt Zanotto
Jose Pagan IV and Father Jose Pegan III preps child before game at Fontana High School - Photos by - Bruno De Witt Zanotto

Baseball tells a similar story. Pagan competes as a pitcher, outfielder, and third baseman. Whether he is on the mound, covering ground in the field, or stepping into the batter’s box, the approach remains consistent: compete, adapt, and elevate.

That range does not develop by chance. Pagan trains at RhareBreed under Coach Rob, where the focus is speed, agility, explosiveness, coordination, and efficient movement. The work is technical and demanding. More importantly, it reinforces the habits that matter most: showing up prepared, embracing the process, and continually raising the standard.

The results are already visible. Competing with ZT Prospect Hernandez, Pagan recently earned both an NCS ring and a Velocity Championship ring at the 9U level. Those titles reflect more than talent. They reflect preparation meeting opportunity.

Away from the field, the same discipline shows up in the classroom. Pagan is a straight-A student. For him, excellence is not compartmentalized. The habits that drive him in sports translate directly to academics: focus, consistency, and an internal drive to improve.

Jose Pagan IV at a football game in Fontana High School - Photos by - Bruno De Witt Zanotto

At 8 years old, the road ahead is long. Yet the foundation is already firm. Pagan is not waiting for some future version of himself to emerge. He is building that athlete now—through the work, the leadership among teammates, and the quiet determination to keep pushing.

With a place in the Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year quarterfinals secured, the next chapter is already underway.

Be great on purpose.

Article & Photos by BZFilms Sports Marketing Agency – Bruno De Witt Zanotto

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