Jason Brown

Before he arrived at Seattle’s O’Dea High School, Jason Brown thought he was going to play cornerback. However, legendary O'Dea coach Monte Kohler put him at running back. It’s a decision that has forever shaped Brown’s life. “It was pretty simple, really,” Kohler told the Tacoma News Tribune. “With what we do at O’Dea, tailback is pretty important, and we knew he could be pretty special.” That year was the COVID-19 season, played during the spring in 2021. It helped Brown because he had six extra months to add 15 pounds of muscle as a freshman. Then a guy a year ahead of him broke his collarbone. “The rest is kind of history,” Kohler said. “We’re blessed to have him, that’s for sure. He's a complete difference-maker.” Brown was a MaxPreps Junior All-American in 2022 after rushing for 1,600-plus yards and 21 touchdowns. Brown has been winning since he was 7 years old. He competed at his first national-level track meet that summer. He made the Junior Olympics meet a year later and brought three medals home to Seattle — placing in the top five in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.