By David Krueger
Herald Writer
Former Lake Stevens quarterback Jacob Eason, who was named the 2015-16 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, was a finalist for the 14th annual Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year award, which was presented at a dinner Tuesday night in Hollywood.
The award banquet, which was emceed by ESPN NBA Countdown host Sage Steele, also featured Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns – the 2014 Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year – and former U.S. women’s soccer star Abby Wambach.
Jayson Tatum, the Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year from Chaminade College Prep in Missouri, won the Athlete of the Year award.
Tatum will play basketball at Duke next season.
According to a press release, Gatorade has recognized state and national Players of the Year in 12 sports since 1985. Along with athletic success, the award seeks to honor high school student athletes that excel in the classroom and demonstrate strong character. Winners are selected by a national panel of sportswriters.
Eason, who was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year for Washington in early December and the national player of the year about two weeks later, completed 235-of-338 passes for 3,587 yards and 43 touchdowns this past season while leading Lake Stevens to a 12-1 record and a berth in the 4A state semifinals. He completed 70 percent of his passes and threw just six interceptions in his senior season.
Now fighting for the starting job at Georgia, Eason — who was a U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant, a National Elite 11 quarterback camp invitee and was the No. 1-ranked pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports — graduated from Lake Stevens early to enroll in time for spring practice.
The banquet was emceed by ESPN’s Sage Steele and featured appearances by Cam Newton, Karl-Anthony Towns and Abby Wambach.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
