ABOUT JACKSON L. WENG

JACKSON'S STORY

Jackson was just five years old when he first dreamt of becoming a football player. His parents tried to convince him to explore other sports, but after a season of tackling four and five-year-old first basemen in tee-ball, they knew as well as he did that he was destined to be a football player. 

Jackson has the build of a Division 1 college football player at just 16 years old, standing at 6’2” and 195 lbs. His speed, aggression and physicality lend to his being an explosive Wide Receiver,  a ball tracking Strong Safety and an impact player on kickoff.  

After completing his freshman year at Vista Murrieta High School, Jackson was blessed with the opportunity to join the Lancer family at Orange Lutheran High School.  Since becoming a Lancer, Jackson has enjoyed and continues to look forward to growing academically, spiritually and athletically at Orange Lutheran.

In July 2020, Jackson's whole world turned upside down. While quarantined at in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Jackson was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. 

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Isolated from extended family and friends, and transferring to new school in a virtual environment, Jackson also had to come to terms with the fact that he would be insulin dependent for the rest of his life. At 16 years old, he had to not only live through multiple global crises, but also had the burden of reevaluating his athletic goals and dreams. 

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But despite the challenges of completely changing his lifestyle, learning the responsibility of controlling his nutrition, blood sugar, and insulin, Jackson became more determined than ever to pursue his dreams of becoming a Division 1 college football player. 

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Through prayer and guidance of his family, friends, and coaches Jackson realized that he didn't have to be a victim of his circumstance, but could thrive and succeed despite his diagnosis. He knew he could go from "Type 1" to "Division 1" without missing a beat. And there, #T1toD1 was born. A personal motivator for Jackson, but also a message of inspiration to all juvenile diabetics with athletic dreams. 

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Not only is Jackson focused on doing what it takes both in the classroom and on the field to become a student-athlete at the next level, but is determined to inspire and motivate others along the way.