https://youtu.be/ju4A-HmUL0E
Lake Stevens senior quarterback Jacob Eason was named the 2015-16 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year early Tuesday morning and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner was on hand to surprise him with the award.
"Briefly meeting him he seems like a very great kid, has his head on his shoulders," said Wagner. "I'm definitely going to keep in contact with him and see where he goes. Hopefully, I'm still in the League when he makes it here, and I'm able to hit him."
Eason completed 235-of-338 passes for 3,587 yards, 43 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season, leading the Vikings to the state 4A semifinals, where they fell to Skyline, 37-34. Ranked as the nation's No. 16 recruit in the ESPN 300, Eason recommitted to the University of Georgia at Tuesday's ceremony. The Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award also recognizes academic and off-the-field achievements, and Eason has maintained a 3.83 GPA while volunteering his time locally as a youth football coach and with the Never Give Up Foundation helping children fight cancer. He is the second player from the state of Washington to win the award after former University of Washington Huskies and Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard was honored back in 1995.
"Having my name on that trophy with all those crazy-great athletes - LeBron James, Derek Jeter, all those guys - I can't really put into words how it makes me feel," said Eason. "It's another step in the right direction. Just to be able to recognized for more than my athletic achievement, it's a really humbling experience and I can't wait to see where it goes."
