“He’s better,” head coach Jason Simmons said. “There’s no question.”

    Who is “better”? Who is “he”? He is Jazz Terrell, a junior on the varsity football team and a player the coaching staff has singled out as one of the most improved athletes on the team.

    Terrell says he has participated in a variety of sports throughout his life.

    “I’ve done a lot,” Terrell said, “I played basketball, baseball, soccer, football, track, I wrestled, some swimming and martial arts.”

    Terrell has been playing football for five years now and has played three positions: quarterback, cornerback and a receiver. He currently is a cornerback and a receiver.

    “He’s got a lot of different skills,” Simmons said, “He’s a good football player who we know will grow and continue to get better for [the football team].”

    Five years of experiences does offer a lot of time to grow mentally and physically to become a better athlete, which does not go unnoticed.

    “When you put in as much time in effort as he does there’s no question that you will be better and have grown,” Simmons said.

     Terrell has done a lot through his life but his family is what he cares about most.

    “I’m a big family guy,” Terrell said, “Without the support from my family I wouldn’t be where I am.”

    Terrell’s parents are his biggest supporters and motivators he said. His dad attends as many practices and all of Terrell’s games even though Terrell’s father attends school 45 minutes away. Terrell says his dad still makes the effort to encourage and advise his son on his performance.

    “I look for my mum, she loves to watch me play and is very competitive herself,” Terrell said, “So to see her happy is one of my motivations.”

    His actions and the way he presents himself doesn’t go unnoticed by his coaches. He’s an example of how Simmons wants the team to carry themselves.

    “He acts like a good teammate, he’s confident in his ability to make and follow plays,” Simmons said. “He carries himself well and does what is asked of him on the field, and that’s what we ask of for all our players.”

    Terrell’s “get it done” mentality has taught him valuable life lessons.

    “Doing everything I’ve done over my life has definitely taught me to compete, the value of hard work,” Terrell said. “If you want something, it’s your job to go out and work for it, and to let things go. You can’t let your emotions get the best of you, especially in a game. You want to play with passion but be able to control yourself.”

    With everything he’s done in his life regarding sports and academics, Terrell is aiming for the Academic Honors diploma, and he says he doesn’t do it for the applause or to be noticed. He works hard for himself. He plays for himself. He does it all for himself because it’s what he’s passionate about.

    “I’m not really trying to impress anyone,” Terrell said. “Whatever happens, happens. I do my part and that’s that.”