Scholar’s Spotlight : Jason Flegeance III | Glen A. Wilson High School
By David Jordan Jr
The basis for academic and athletic success for a student athlete stems from the foundation set for them to achieve their goals. A student that understands the importance of balance, time commitment and focus has the opportunity to achieve high level goals and attain success. Glen A. Wilson High School (Hacienda Heights, California) senior student-athlete Jason Flegeance III is a young man that has a total understanding and focus on the intricacies that will enable him to continue to excel in both the classroom and on the football field. A senior quarterback for the Wildcats football team, Jason’s talent on the field earned him an invitation to the Navy All-American Combine this past summer in San Antonio, Texas. He recently spoke to ESHE Magazine about his focus as a student-athlete and the importance of structure and balance in achieving goals.
David Jordan Jr: How has your family shaped you in becoming the successful student athlete that you are?
Jason Flegeance III: Both of my parents have been the foundation of everything I’ve accomplished as a student-athlete. From a young age they taught me what dedication and what it means to sacrifice. There were countless late nights spent training or doing math work years above my grade level. When my parents could’ve been home relaxing watching TV. Instead, they were driving me to and from practice or staying up to help me get better. They’ve invested a lot not just in time, but also in resources. They’ve spent lots of money traveling the country for tournaments, camps, or combines. Not to mention helping me attend a school that pushes me both academically and athletically.
My mom, in particular, has always been my emotional support. She made sure I was fed, rested, and mentally prepared to take on whatever came my way. Whenever I was stressed or discouraged, she and my father were always the ones who made sure I remembered these are my goals and encouraged me to keep pushing forward. Both she and my dad made countless drives to practices, games, and school events, no matter how far or how early they had to wake up. Their commitment showed me what unconditional love true dedication, and sacrifice looks like and my goal is to make sure they know it will never go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Even when I was tired from long practices, my parents made sure I kept up with my studies, enrolling me in math and reading learning center that had homework 7 days a week to build strong habits and discipline. Those extra hours of math and reading after practice taught me persistence and time management. These are skills that I have carry into everything I do now.
Their sacrifices have shown me that success is built through consistent effort, support, and confidence. Every achievement I have today is a reflection of their hard work and love for their son. That’s what drives me to keep going when I’m tired from running, schoolwork, sickness, or lack of sleep.
David Jordan Jr: As a student-athlete can you talk about the importance of balance between academics and athletics and the role of balance in achieving goals in the classroom and on the playing field?
Jason Flegeance III: As a student-athlete I’ve learned that balance between academics and athletics is everything. I’ve heard it over and over again, your grades come first. You’re called a student-athlete for a reason. The “student” part comes before the “athlete.” My parents have always emphasized that lesson and made sure I had the support I needed in the classroom. At the end of the day sports are unpredictable. One injury could end a career, but no one can take away your education or your degree.
Maintaining good grades opens so many doors, especially as an athlete. Coaches and recruiters notice when you take your academics seriously. When they see that you have a 3.0 GPA or higher, it shows discipline, focus, and responsibility. If you can do it in the classroom you can do it on the field leading to a coach being able to trust you when it counts. In many cases, it can even make the difference between earning a scholarship or being passed over for someone else.
Balancing school and sports isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed. It’s taught me time management, perseverance, and how to handle pressure. All skills I use to try and succeed as a person working toward long-term goals
David Jordan Jr: This past summer you were selected to participate in the Navy All-American Combine with many of the nation’s top football prospects at all positions. How did that experience help you in refining your game as you approached your senior season?
Jason Flegeance III: This year is really important to me it’s my senior year meaning it’s my last opportunity to show out and prove what I can do. Being selected to participate in the Navy All-American Combine was a huge honor and a major step in my development as a player. Competing alongside some of the nation’s top football prospects gave me a new perspective on the level of talent across the country and where I lay compared to everyone else. Everyone there was the best from their area and that environment forced me to elevate my game.
Seeing the competition up close showed me that the gap between where I am and where some of those Power 5 commits are isn’t as big as it might seem. That realization gave me a lot of confidence and motivation heading into my senior season. I came back from the combine with a new level of focus paying closer attention to my technique and training with even more intensity than before.
Overall, the experience reminded me that I belong among the best. It pushed me to keep improving every day, not just to compete with others, but to be the best version of myself as I chase my dream for the opportunity to play the game I love at the next level.
David Jordan Jr: What players have inspired you at the quarterback position?
Jason Flegeance III: The player who inspired me the most at the quarterback position is Cam Newton. His 2015 MVP season made me fall in love with football. I was obsessed with his play style the confidence, the power, and the way he could take over a game both through the air and on the ground he was unstoppable. Watching him dominate and lead his team with so much energy and swagger made me want to be exactly like him. Cam showed me that being a quarterback isn’t just about throwing the football it’s about being a leader, a playmaker, and someone your team can get behind.
Another quarterback I really look up to is Peyton Manning. He’s not the most athletic player, but he might be the smartest to ever play the position. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to him briefly before, and that conversation opened my eyes to what true preparation looks like. He and my father share the same philosophies so hearing him talk about how important it is to study film, to really understand your opponent, and to understand the game on a deeper level had only confirmed everything my dad has told me. Peyton made defense look helpless because he was always one step ahead.
That mindset really stuck with me. I try to apply that same level of mental preparation to my own game studying coverages, learning tendencies, and finding small details that may make a big difference. Combining the athleticism and leadership I learned from Cam Newton with the intelligence and preparation I’ve learned from Peyton Manning and my dad has shaped the kind of quarterback I strive to be. I want to be one who can beat you with both skill and smarts.
David Jordan Jr: What have you learned about yourself as a scholar student athlete?
Jason Flegeance III: As a scholar student-athlete, I’ve learned that time management is everything. You simply can’t survive without it. Every minute of the day matters. Whether it’s walking from class to class, squeezing in an extra 30 minutes to study for three tests on game day, or making sure I get enough rest to perform at my best. Balancing school and sports takes real precision and sacrifice if you strive to be the best.
I’ve realized that to be the best version of myself both in the classroom and on the field, I have to stay disciplined and organized. There have been times when I didn’t do as well as I wanted on a test and it carried over into practice. But over time, I’ve learned that I can’t dwell on things I can’t change. Instead, I focus on how to respond making up for it through better preparation and keeping my mindset positive with a glass half full mindset.
I’ve also learned a lot about how my mind and body work together. Studying or doing a bit of homework before workouts helps warm up my brain and gets me mentally sharp for what’s ahead. While working out before school or exams helps me release stress and stay focused during tests. Finding that rhythm has made a huge difference I wish I could’ve found it sooner.
Being a student-athlete has shown me that success comes from how well you manage your time, handle adversity, and continue to grow both as a student and as an athlete.
David Jordan Jr: Looking towards the future, what do you want to study in college?
Jason Flegeance III: My dad taught me about money from a very young age. He always made sure I understood not just how to earn it, but how it works, how it moves, and how it shapes the world. Some of my earliest lessons weren’t just about saving or spending they were about how money connects to people, decisions, and power. I had a piece of paper on my door that read “Money equals power and freedom.” I remember sitting with him as he’d explain how prices change, how businesses make profits, or how one decision in the economy can affect millions of people. Those days always stuck with me.
At the same time, my dad made sure I was strong in math. He always told me that if I understood numbers I could understand anything. Whether it was doing extra math problems after homework, budgeting imaginary money, or figuring out how compound interest works, he found creative ways to make learning meaningful to me. Over time, I started to see how math and money go hand in hand that combination really sparked my interest in economics.
Now, as I think about college I want to major in economics and keep building on what I’ve already learned. I want to understand not just how money changes the world, but how it can be used to make the world better. My dad’s lessons taught me that knowledge is just as valuable as money itself and mastering both can open doors to endless opportunities.
David Jordan Jr: What advice would you give to future student athletes that will enable them to achieve success and reach their goals?
Jason Flegeance III: The biggest piece of advice I’d give to future student-athletes is to surround yourself with the right people. I’m sure many have heard the quote by Jim Rohn: “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” and it couldn’t be more true. The people around you will either push you to be great or hold you back from reaching your potential.
You can’t control where you’re from or the circumstances you start in, but you can definitely control who you let influence you. If your goal is to be valedictorian, your closest friends shouldn’t be the ones who don’t take school seriously. If your dream is to become a Division I athlete, then you can’t spend all your time around people who skip drills, slack off in the weight room, or don’t care about film study. You need to be around people who share your mindset, who challenge you, and who hold you accountable. I’ve been more than blessed to have found the people in my life who do just that for me .
It’s also about surrounding yourself with coaches, teachers, teammates, and even family members who actually want to see you win. Learn directly from those who’ve already achieved what you’re striving for and let their habits rub off on you. Success leaves clues behind you should try to follow them.
At the end of the day achieving your goals as a student-athlete isn’t just about talent. it’s about your environment. The right people will motivate you to stay disciplined, focused, and consistent. When you build that kind of circle, you’ll find that you not only reach your goals, you may even surpass them.
- Honor Roll Student
- 2025 Navy All American Combine Invitee
- GPA-3.08
- Black Student Union Vice President
- T.U.P.E Representative (Tobacco Use prevention Education)
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