By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Long before J’Shaun Wilson was carrying the ball under the Friday night lights at O’Dea High School, football was already a part of his world. As a young child, Wilson watched NFL and college football on television, studying the players and trying to understand the game.
“What drew me to the game was just seeing it on TV. What’s kept me committed to it is just the overall love and grind that I have for the game,” said Wilson. “Ever since I started playing, I haven’t thought once about stopping. My desire to play just continued to grow, and that played a big role in keeping me committed.”
His mother, Tyricia Wood, remembers that connection beginning even earlier.
“I first realized J’Shaun had a special connection to football when I saw how naturally drawn he was to it. He would run around the house with the ball and copy what the players would do on TV and their moves. He used to literally sleep with his ball,” said Tyricia. “J’Shaun would always get his brothers, his sister, and his cousin Jaylinn playing football games around the house, which used to drive me crazy, but after a while I just got to the point and let him do his thing even if it cost me a hole in the wall or my couches being the endzone.”
His father, Jamel Wilson, saw the same determination.
“One thing I always look back on when it comes to his early years, and I’m glad to say, is from the time he was 5 years old and showed his liking for football, his approach has been the exact same,” Jamel said. “He is determined to put the work in so he can excel and be the best version of himself. He’s been this way since before he was old enough to play.”
That mindset has followed Wilson to O’Dea, where he says the program has helped develop his speed, strength and fundamentals.
“O’Dea has helped me grow in many ways, whether it was speed, strength, or just overall the fundamentals of football,” said Wilson. “I think the part that developed the most in my game was being able to just go and hit the hole, that’s what O’Dea football is all about. Over time, I just got better with my vision, seeing the hole and committing to it without any hesitation.”
Wood said much of that development has come from work people don’t see.
“One of the biggest things I’ve seen football teach him is that success comes from what you do when nobody is watching,” said Tyricia. “J’Shaun, on his own, would always ask to go to the field to work out, whether it was him asking his dad, me, or his brothers, one of us had to get him there. If for any reason we weren’t available right when he wanted to, he would just go across the street from our house to the grass field by himself and work out.”
That work helped Wilson go from watching from the sidelines as a freshman to contributing when O’Dea returned to the state championship and won the title.
“My most meaningful accomplishment on the field so far is probably winning the state championship last year,” Wilson said. “Being able to play in the game instead of just watching from the sidelines like my freshman year just shows how much work I put in in the offseason to be able to go back to the championship and be able to actually play with my team and play well in it.”
Wilson credits routine with helping him balance football and academics. He also sees a connection between what he has learned in the classroom and the way he communicates with his teammates.
“Having a routine helped me be able to stay under control when big tests or games would come up during the season. In the classroom, I would say the thing that helped me become a better athlete or teammate is the way the teachers teach at O’Dea,” said Wilson. “In the classroom they give a lot of opportunities for students to speak out loud. It helps students slowly become more comfortable when speaking out loud. This translates to the field when I would have to speak to the team after the game or when I would lift someone up.”
That experience has become increasingly important as Wilson has taken on a larger leadership role this season after being named a team captain.
“As a member of the O’Dea team, a goal I have for myself is to be more vocal when it comes to leading the team. After being made a captain of the team this year, I’d say that helped me a lot, because it pushed me to be more vocal and be able to lead the team,” said Wilson. “One of the biggest goals that I have for myself before high school is over is to get opportunities to play at the next level. That’s all I want to do when high school is all over. Having that goal pushes me to keep grinding and gain those opportunities.”
Wilson credits his parents and older brother, Jacolby Cochran Jr., as the biggest influences on his football journey. Cochran played at Garfield High School before going on to play at Eastern Washington University.
“My parents really shaped me into who I am today. I thank them for everything they’ve done for me, even when it came to them saying no to certain things, because that’s what helped me become who I am today,” Wilson said. “My older brother played football at Garfield High School, graduated in 2022, and eventually went on to play at Eastern Washington University. Watching him play when I was younger and dominating on the field made me want to do just what he was doing when I got to high school.”
His mother said she has been particularly impressed by how Wilson has responded to difficult moments.
“I admire how he handles adversity. He has faced some tough moments, but I’ve watched him learn from them and keep moving instead of letting them define him,” Tyricia said. “The ability to stay focused on his dream and make the sacrifices he’s made has been so rewarding to witness him be so driven no matter what.”
One of Wilson’s standout performances came against Rainier Beach this season, when he finished with four touchdowns and 252 all-purpose yards. Yet when Wilson recalls the game, his attention turns toward what O’Dea accomplished collectively.
“My favorite and best game at O’Dea so far is probably against Rainier Beach this year. I’d say that’s one of my most memorable games because Beach is a good team and we were able to still go out and get the win,” said Wilson. “What I would remember the most about that game was how unified the team was going into the game. We were able to execute the game and dominate while also having fun and being one big brotherhood.”
That sense of brotherhood is part of what Wilson hopes people remember when his time at O’Dea is over.
“When I look back at my time at O’Dea, I hope people remember me as someone who always worked hard whether it was on the field or off, someone who cared about his teammates and always included people,” said Wilson. “Football is a big part of what I’ve done here, but that isn’t everything I want to be remembered for.”
For his mother, that distinction is already clear.
“I’m most proud of what he does and who he is off the field. Watching him grow to a young man with strong positive character, a kind heart and genuinely respect others means more to me than any touchdown,” said Tyricia. “Football may be a big part of his journey, but the character he shows when the helmet comes off is what makes me the proudest.”
