John Curtis High School has always been known for their running backs and once again, another talented running back that has gone through the dominant football powerhouse from River Ridge, Louisiana will take his talents to the next level. This time around, it is three star scatback Jason Gabriel Jr., who announced yesterday that he was going to take his talents to Southern University.
“It’s the HBCU experience obviously. When you go down there, it is a different kind of experience. Once I went to their camp, which was earlier this June, I got to meet Coach Dooley and Coach Dre’. As soon as I got there, I felt real love and consideration for the players they have there. I can see that they have a really good thing going there. Not only that, but they believe in me and took a chance on me. I am forever grateful for that.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
Gabriel is excited about the opportunity to not only play college football, but to also play HBCU football as this has always been something that the John Curtis star running back has always wanted to do, especially over the last two seasons as he has been recruited by both sides of the Bayou Classic.
“Well, I’ve been to Grambling already. Around this time last year, Grambling was my first offer in general. Like I said, the HBCU experience has been a great one. That was a great visit, and I also went to Southern. It wasn’t my first visit, but it was my first intimate visit with them in getting to know their culture and how they do things.”
“The Bayou Classic has been around since I was a young boy and I am very excited for it. The overall response of the fanbase and Jaguar Nation shows you what they are all about. I am ecstatic.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
Just as excited as Gabriel is to play in the Bayou Classic, he is just as excited to play his senior season for the Patriots after he and fellow running back Marlon Prout were a big 1-2 punch en route to the Patriots’ 28th state championship. Last season was a special season for the Patriots and it just was a reminder to all of Louisiana high school football that John Curtis is still here to stay.
“Special. We as a group and we as a team put a lot of work into this day in and day out. It was something around this same time that we have been talking about, which was bringing back the winning culture and showing them that what we do over here works and when you have a group of guys that believe, anything is possible. It was a special feeling man.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
Gabriel and his teammates want to repeat the moment again for the upcoming season, but he knows the team will have to work extra hard knowing that the target is on their backs.
“We are still hungry. Last year was amazing and it was a step forward. We still have something to prove this year. Obviously, Coach J.T. is coming upon being the winningest high school coach in history so we are going for that. As a team, our goal is to go back and do it again. Our team is seeing what we can do better and we are putting in the time as always. You know Coach J.T. is always going for perfection in his craft. Trust me, we are more than ready for any challenge that comes at us.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
Winning a state championship is always special at John Curtis, but the 2023 season has a chance to be even more special than most as J.T. Curtis is four wins away from becoming the winningest high school coach in history. As a senior leader, Gabriel would be honored to help the coaching legend get the record.
“It would be amazing because it’s not only our efforts, but many of the teams before that put in the time to get us here. For us, for them, just for the entire football team and legacy of the football team, it is going to be a special moment.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
When it comes to playing a popular position like running back, Gabriel tries to model the John Curtis way of thinking to his game, which is not to think about what is best for himself, but what is best for the entire team.
“Be the best that I can be everyday, win the day, and continue to better myself as an athlete. I am not really interested in stats or ratings. I am just enjoying the process of becoming a better football player everyday and wherever that lands me is wherever that lands me.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
Hard work, talent, and dedication has landed him at Southern as the Jaguars took a chance on a 5’8, 175 pound scatback that brings a lot to the table, especially in the passing game. He brings a lot of versatility as he can beat you as a receiver or as a runner, and he truly excels when running misdirection or catching passes out of the backfield. Jason Gabriel Jr. is a player that can do it all and can be utilized as a dangerous offensive weapon while also bringing winning tangibles to Baton Rouge.
“My game speaks for itself so I think they will look forward to having a back that can do it all, but not just my play. I think they will look forward to having a leader and not necessarily by words, but by example in the locker room and being able to inspire others to work hard and to believe in themselves and believe in their craft. I think they can look forward to that mostly.”
John Curtis High School three star running back and Southern commit Jason Gabriel Jr.
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