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11-Year-Old Dash Jones Is Already Garnering National Attention Both On And Off The Football Field

By Ray Jaun StellyThe Seattle Medium

At just 11 years old, Dash Jones, who plays cornerback and receiver for the HIER 11U Apex Predators of the Northwest Premier Junior Football League, is already at the top of his class. Ranked as one of the top wide receivers and cornerbacks in the country, he is one of only three players in the class of 2029 rated as a five-star recruit by Generation Nexxt and has already received a scholarship offer from the University of Miami.

“Dash has a natural target on him everywhere he goes because of the notoriety that he has earned on and off the field,” said his father, Reggie Jones. “It would be easy for a kid to fold under that pressure or think he has made it but he never settles because his foundation is hard work. He always rises to the occasion even though every team in the country is keyed in on him.”

Much of what makes Dash such a special player is embedded in his DNA. His father spent his collegiate career at Portland State University before playing five years professionally with the Washington Redskins, who are now known as Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Ottawa Redblacks, and New Orleans Saints. During his time in New Orleans not only did Jones become a Super Bowl champion, but this is also where Dash was born.

The elder Jones, who started the Heir Academy program, which stands for Heart, Education, Integrity, and Resiliency, has dedicated his life after football to developing young talent here in the Pacific Northwest. And much of the football knowledge that Dash has been able to soak up are the intangibles that separate the good from the great players as they progress from one level of football to the next.

Jonah Woullard from Generation Nexxt National Youth Sports Network says that one thing that makes Dash so special is his desire to compete.

“After scouting some of the best players from middle school who are now playing pro such as Dalvin Cook for Minnesota Vikings, Carlton Davis for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Patrick Surtain who plays for the Denver Broncos, they have a common trait and that’s a crack to compete no matter what the score or down it was,” said Woullard. “You always can expect 100% from them every play, and that’s in his DNA, greatness plus 100% of his sacrifice to his team on every single down.”

Even when Jones is not in full gear, he manages to wow and catch the eyes of people when playing on 7-on-7 (7v7) football in the offseason. Baron Flenory, the founder and owner of Pylon 7v7, says that Dash is exciting to watch because he has the ability to make a big play that can change the trajectory of the outcome game at any point in time.

“Dash is an exceptional kid, he has all the tools it takes to be successful,” says Flenory. “The pedigree, love for the game, and putting in tremendous hours of work it’s evident in that it translates to the field.”

“He has some showmanship to his game, a LaMelo Ball on the football field if you will,” added Flenory. “He’s going to make a big play, Dash has that ‘it’ factor where he’s going to make an exceptional play at the right time, all the time.”

Heir 11U coach Kevin Moffett agrees and says that Dash elevates his game on the biggest stages.

“He’s a natural leader, hard worker, very smart, and fearless,” said Moffett. “Lastly, he’s an incredible football player who plays his best in big football games.”

Just like his father, Dash won a championship as well, the 2020 AYF National Championship, and was part of the only team from Washington state to win a major youth national football championship in the modern era.

“I am extremely proud of how Dash handles all his success on and off the field,” says Reggie Jones. “He never lets any of it get to his head. He understands that someone is always working to take his spot and that’s what keeps him motivated.”

Carving himself out a successful career already, Dash is just as impressive off the football field as well. In addition to being one of two kids being sponsored by Oakley, a well-known sports equipment company that he’s a youth division spokesperson for, Dash also maintains a 4.0 GPA.

“The athletic success is fun to talk about, but I am most proud of his success in the classroom and the stand-up young man he is growing into,” said Jones “He holds a 4.0 GPA in school, a great young man and positive leaders in the community.”

Courtney Taylor, a former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver who has know Dash since he was six years old, also attributed much of Dash’s success to him being equally impressive off the field stating, “He’s an excellent student in the classroom as it reflects his knowledge and understanding on the field.”

According to Taylor, he and Dash have built a relationship through what they love and that’s football. After working with each other for quite some time now, Taylor has nothing but high praises for this young talent.

“[He’s] one of the most natural athletes I’ve ever been around,” says Taylor. “Dash’s IQ for his age is something you don’t quite see everyday in a player so young. His catch radius is ridiculous and understanding of how to set up defenders is on a level par to high school players.”

“I’m humbled to have been given the opportunity to work with him since he was six, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this kid but I do know that he will be amongst the best in the nation,” he added.

Now that the regular season is over, Dash and his team will enter the playoffs with an undefeated record, and despite being an 11U team competing in the 12U division of the Northwest Premier Junior Football League they are expected to contend for the league title. With his leadership both on and off the field, Dash hopes to put his teammates in the perfect position for success.

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