East County Athlete of the Week: Jaxon Lawhun

Summer is technically the offseason for local high school football players, but for those hoping to earn college offers, it can be a crucial time to show recruiters their ability. Rising senior quarterback Jaxon Lawhun of The Out-Of-Door Academy is one of them. Last season, he threw for 110 yards and three touchdowns against one interception with a 46.2% pass completion rate as ODA's backup quarterback. Lawhun, who's preparing to take on the role of starting quarterback, is the East County Athlete of the Week.

What are your plans for football this summer?

I started off going to Ohio for a visit, at a camp up there for Denison. I have two more camps (from June 1-7) and then I have two camps (from June 8-14) and then two camps (from June 15-21), so it's a pretty busy summer. I'm trying to get myself out there, trying to give my film to a bunch of coaches, and just letting coaches know who I am — showing them that I'm a baller.

What are your goals for this upcoming season?

As a team, of course, we want to win it all. We have a good squad. Last year, we had a pretty good squad, too, but personally, I think this year's squad is a little bit better. We can show teams that we're the real deal and win it all. For my goals, I just want to get a couple offers and have colleges know who I am. I want to break all the school records — especially the (single-season) passing touchdown record.

When and why did you start playing football?

I first started playing flag football when I was probably 5 or 6 (years old), just because my dad (Jed Lawhun) used to play semi-pro or something like that when he was in the military. He was always pushing football on me, so I started playing. I started playing tackle (football) in eighth grade, but played flag and seven-on-seven all the way up to that. I just fell in love with the sport, and now I play it.

Why have you stuck with the sport?

I've always enjoyed playing it. It's always been a fun sport. When I actually started playing tackle football — especially my freshman year of high school — was when I fell in love with it. I had good coaches that year, and they poured into me. I had a good year and ended up getting a lot of playing time on JV.

What quote or piece of advice have you always carried with you?

My dad used to tell me, "Nothing is handed to you." Everything I want to get, I have to work for and earn.

What's a fun fact about you not many people know?

I'm a big car guy, so I love working on cars. Me and my buddies, we always try to upgrade (our cars) when we can.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

My favorite professional athlete is Jaxon Dart, probably because we have the same name. Some people say we look alike. If you put my film and his film side to side, we play the same kind of game.

If you could go anywhere for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?

I'm not a big vacation guy, but I'd probably go somewhere in Europe — Germany, maybe. There's some race tracks out there I want to go see.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you eat and why?

I would have steak, no doubt. Steak with the grilled baby potatoes — that would be my meal. I just love it. I don't think anything's better.

Finish this sentence. Jaxon Lawhun is...

A hard worker who doesn't quit.