Heppner QB Jayden Wilson signals with Western Oregon | Community

HEPPNER — Jayden Wilson has soaked up every term of wisdom from coach Greg Grant the past 4 many years, and has utilized himself on and off the discipline to earn a shot at taking part in higher education soccer.

The difficult get the job done paid out off for the Heppner Significant College quarterback, who signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, to perform at Western Oregon University.

The WOU coaches initially contacted Wilson at the conclusion of the 2019 year, and their romance has blossomed from that level.

“I went for a visit and I favored the campus a great deal,” Wilson claimed. “The coaches were wonderful. I can see generating it my home for the following four years.”

All those are words Western Oregon mentor Arne Ferguson likes to hear.

“Jayden is an impressive athlete that is very competent at the quarterback placement,” Ferguson wrote in an e mail. “Being a two-star recruit by 24/7 Sports, he has labored tricky all through his vocation to get paid that rating. He will come from a winning program in top Heppner to the condition title in 2019-20, and we’re enthusiastic to see what he can do for us listed here at WOU.”

Grant, the longtime Heppner coach, is thrilled to see his gamers get an opportunity at the future amount.

“It will be great to see where by the journey takes him,” Grant reported of Wilson. “They are lucky to have him. He does every little thing the proper way — often has. Far more than everything, they are obtaining anyone they in no way have to fret about. He’s in no way a dude to be late, under no circumstances the dude at the occasion who is in issues. He is anyone you can depend on.”

Wilson is one particular of four quarterbacks the Wolves signed, but he welcomes the obstacle.

“I don’t intellect the competitors,” he said. “It keeps me from obtaining complacent. I have never been handed anything at all. I’m fired up to get to grinding and present the coaches I ought to have to play.”

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound versatile quarterback had a stack of higher education presents, such as a person from Valparaiso, a Division I school in Indiana, and other people from Carroll Faculty, Pacific University, Lewis and Clark, Linfield and Presentation College or university in South Dakota.

Wilson mentioned a handful of things performed into his alternative to go to WOU.

“It’s close to property, but which is not the greatest aspect,” he mentioned. “Though I don’t know how my father would manage not remaining in a position to see me play. I actually like their plan, and my practical experience with (assistant mentor) Tim Rude all through the recruiting procedure was very good. Their monetary package deal was very good. They have been equipped to give me a bit of an athletic scholarship, and I can often gain a lot more when it is available.”

Western Oregon also has lessons and programs that Wilson requires for his supposed key — exercise science.

“That is something I am passionate about,” he mentioned. “I want to be a power mentor or bodily therapist. I’m executing an internship now with our community bodily therapist (Shelley McCabe).”

Throughout his junior 12 months, Wilson assisted the Mustangs regular 41 details a game, whilst limiting opponents to just 7.5. They received the 2A state title with a 12-7 victory around Kennedy, and finished with a 13- record.

Wilson attained initial-team Blue Mountain Conference and all-point out honors at quarterback and defensive back. He also was the East Oregonian Player of the Year.

The condition title, and awards that arrived with it, were being attained on the field.

Wilson threw for 1,282 yards and 23 touchdowns, and ran for 797 yards and 14 touchdowns past time. Defensively, he had 32 tackles, a few interceptions and a few fumble recoveries.

“Athletically, he is not even close to his opportunity,” Grant reported. “He’s potent, but there is so considerably much more. He will not allow you down, and he is effortless to work with. He will not shy absent from do the job that will make him improved.”

Wilson and Heppner managing again Blake Wolters have been doing the job out collectively for months. There is no doubting their operate ethic or their need.

“Anyone who noticed my Twitter films and noticed my summer season workout routines, they know I can lead a team,” Wilson stated. “I will be pushing everyone as a lot as I can.”

Routines are just section of what Wilson has been up to considering that final spring. He has attended weekend camps, showcases, and is performing with a quarterback education method in the Portland/Eugene area.

“They have been advantageous, in particular with not possessing a senior period,” he explained. “I’m receiving my identify out there, conference coaches and getting alternatives. I got to opt for Western Oregon rather of experience that’s wherever I had to go.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling athletics, or pushing them out past their regular time frame, Wilson is hoping to pull his Heppner jersey on a few additional periods with his teammates. That goes for basketball and observe, much too.

“Any extra games I get to enjoy, in particular with my brothers on the Heppner groups, I will just take. I would like to enjoy with them one far more time.”