Steve Avila Bio
Esteban ‘Steve’ Avila is an American professional football offensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 16, 1999, in Arlington, Texas, Avila has quickly established himself as a key player in the NFL after an impressive collegiate career at Texas Christian University.
Early Life and Background
Avila was born in Arlington, Texas, and attended South Grand Prairie High School. As a four-star recruit, he committed to play college football at Texas Christian University. His father is Mexican-American and his mother is African-American, representing diverse cultural heritage that has shaped his personal and athletic journey.
During his high school years, Avila developed his football skills and gained recognition as a promising talent. His performance at South Grand Prairie High School set the foundation for his future success in collegiate and professional football.
Path to American Football
At Texas Christian University, Avila redshirted as a freshman before making significant contributions to the TCU Horned Frogs. He played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman and began to showcase his versatility by starting at multiple positions including center, right tackle, and guard during his redshirt sophomore season.
His progression continued as he earned honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors during his redshirt sophomore year. By his junior season, Avila had established himself as a reliable starter at center and was recognized as first-team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press, marking the beginning of his rise as one of the top offensive linemen in college football.
Steve Avila Career
Early Career (2023)
Avila was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. In his rookie year, he made an immediate impact by starting all 17 regular season games and one postseason game at left guard. Notably, Avila was the only Rams player to have played every snap on offense, demonstrating his durability and importance to the team.
His impressive rookie performance earned him recognition as he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. This early success established Avila as a key part of the Rams’ offensive line and set the stage for his continued development in the NFL.
Rams Breakthrough (2023–Present)
With the addition of guard Jonah Jackson in 2024, Avila transitioned from left guard to center, his natural position from his college days. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in Week 1 of the 2024 season against the Detroit Lions, which required MCL surgery and sidelined him for several weeks.
After returning from injury in November 2024, Avila moved back to left guard and started the team’s final nine games of the regular season as well as two postseason games. This flexibility to play multiple positions on the offensive line has proven valuable to the Rams’ offensive strategy.
Playing Style and Strengths
Avila is known for his versatility, having played center and guard positions at both the collegiate and professional levels. He combines technical skills with physical strength, making him effective in both run blocking and pass protection. His ability to adapt to different positions has been a key asset to the Rams’ offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
During his collegiate career, Avila achieved significant recognition by being named a Consensus All-American in 2022. At the professional level, his selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2023 marked an important milestone in his NFL development. The ability to play every offensive snap as a rookie demonstrated his exceptional endurance and football IQ.
Steve Avila Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Steve Avila has established himself as a reliable and versatile offensive lineman. His collegiate achievements include winning the Big 12 Conference title and appearing in the CFP National Championship during the 2022 season. In the NFL, he has contributed significantly to the Rams’ offensive success through consistent performance and positional adaptability.
College Highlights
During his time at TCU, Avila was instrumental in leading the Horned Frogs to a 13-2 record in 2022, which included the Big 12 Conference title and a victory in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. His performance earned him numerous accolades including consensus All-American honors, Outland Trophy semifinalist recognition, and Big 12 Lineman of the Year honorable mention.
Professional Achievements
In his NFL career, Avila has started 40 out of 42 games played, showcasing his durability and importance to the team. His transition from guard to center and back to guard highlights his adaptability and value to the Rams’ offensive scheme. Despite injuries, he has maintained a high level of performance and continued to be a key contributor.
Steve Avila Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Steve Avila comes from a diverse family background, with a Mexican-American father and African-American mother. This multicultural heritage has shaped his personal identity and perspective. His family has been supportive of his football career throughout his journey from high school to the NFL.
While maintaining a professional focus on his football career, Avila has also built a public presence through his Instagram account, where he shares glimpses of his life both on and off the field.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Avila continued his role as a starting offensive lineman for the Rams. He began the season at left guard but suffered an ankle sprain in the season-opening victory over the Houston Texans, which sidelined him for two games. After limited action in two others, he returned to the starting lineup in Week 6 during a win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Avila’s ability to overcome injuries and maintain high performance has been crucial for the Rams. His presence in the lineup provides stability to the offensive line, allowing the team to establish both running and passing games. As the season progressed, he continued to be a reliable presence for the Rams’ offense.