Farrah Bojalad is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Red Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com 

As a standout middle linebacker at Red Mountain High School, Jameson Wade  is turning heads on the football field while managing to be a scholastic All-Star as well. 

Wade grew up in Mesa, Arizona and is currently a sophomore at Red Mountain. Wade did not have the earliest start to his football career. Getting to play varsity as a freshman in high school football is not commonplace. However, Wade took the field in all 10 of the regular season games his freshman year. Wade finished his freshman year with a total of 48 total tackles and acquired an interception. Wade acclimated to the game quickly and now is recognized for his football IQ.  

“I didn't start playing football until I was 12 but pretty much my whole life I would watch football since I was four years old with my dad every Sunday,” said Jameson. 

Not only was Wade a pivotal part of the Red Mountain Lions making it to the state championship game this past season, but manages to sustain a 4.0 GPA. Jameson’s dad, Jim Wade, discusses his son's dedication to his studies and his goal of playing ball at the next level. 

“He knows how much it (scholastic success) benefits him as an athlete trying to get to the next level. It gives him a leg up over a kid who maybe is a little taller if he has the books,” said Jim Wade. 

Jameson credits a big part of his academic and athletic success to his strict routine. 

“I go to school, get my work done, go to practice, come home watch film, go to bed and repeat,” said Jameson Wade. 

The Red Mountain Lions finished with a record of 7-7 and made it to the state championship game against Saguaro High School. In Jameson’s sophomore season he had 84 total tackles and 8 tackles for loss. This represented a big leap forward for both the team and Jameson as an individual player. Jamesons private trainer, Lexi Mcknight, heaps praise when describing the rising defensive star.

“He is willing to do whatever it takes whether it's in the facility, taking care of his body or nutrition,” said Mcknight. 

McKnight explained how after the Lions fell short to the Saguaro Sabercats in the state championship game she received a text that day from Jameson saying, “Back to work on Monday.” 

“No athlete that I've ever trained has had that much commitment to the process,” said McKnight. 

Sunday nights for Jim Wade on the couch watching football with his son have turned into Friday nights hugging in the endzone after a victory against Brophy.

“After they beat Brophy to go to the State game, the team and everybody was together and he came searching for me. I was moving through the crowd and he was searching through the crowd trying to find me and it makes you feel really special that he's running around calling your name,” said Jim Wade. 

Jameson discusses his goals for the future. 

After speaking to the family of Jameson it is clear that he pursues his goals with exceptional intent. It is a rare quality for someone that is so young. Jameson leads a scheduled and disciplined life. The goal is that his progress continues to grow with the same consistency that he approaches each day.

“The goal is to play in the NFL but gotta play division one football before that,” said Jameson Wade.