Beyond the Pads: Star running back puts ‘student’ in student-athlete

Manteca High sophomore Nikko Juarez completes an assignment in his English II class. (Hanna Palacio/The Tower)

By KEIRA McCULLEY 
The Tower 

Nikko Juarez, star football player for Manteca High School, is more than just a one-trick pony. He’s also prolific at hitting the books. 

When he’s not playing football or sleeping, Juarez is focused on his schoolwork. With a current grade-point average of 4.0, Juarez insists the school is his second love ... next to football. 

“School is really important to me,” said Juarez, who rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns in the Buffaloes’ season-opening victory at Elk Grove. “It makes me a good role model for my younger siblings.” 

Manteca High sophomore Nikko Juarez completes an assignment in his English II class. (Hanna Palacio/The Tower)

With a reputation as an amazing football player, Juarez, who holds an offer from the University of Nevada-Reno, believes that his grades help him shed the stereotype of a high school jock. 

It’s his biggest struggle, Juarez confided. People may only see the raw running talent, the varsity touchdowns as a freshman, and the offer from Nevada. What they often miss, though, is the work he pours into his studies. 

“I’m trying to make something out of myself besides football because I do a lot with football,” he said.  

History teacher and football assistant coach Matthew Eavenson confirms that Juarez is an amazing student.  

“I wholeheartedly agree that Nikko is a scholar-athlete,” Eavenson said. “He leads in my class, he's hardworking on the field, and we can depend on him to focus on both.” 

Eavenson said Juarez’s separator in the class and on the field is his attitude. The bubbly sophomore is rarely without a smile, and he understands the need for hard work, grit, and determination. 

“I see no difference between the classroom and the field when it comes to Nikko's attitude,” Eavenson said. “Nikko wants to get things done, and so he gets it done; regardless of whether it’s turning in my assignments or studying for a test, or it's running the ball down to make a touchdown, he will work hard to make sure it happens.” 

The Tower sat down with Nikko Juarez to discuss who he is away from the football field, outside activities and being a scholar athlete. 

THE TOWER: What is your biggest football accomplishment besides your offer? 

NIKKO JUAREZ: I think my biggest football accomplishment besides my offer is making it to varsity my freshman year and having a good season, and not only having a good season but showing out. 

TT: Did you feel a lot of pressure being a freshman on varsity? 

NJ: I didn’t feel like there was a lot of pressure. I just felt like a lot of people didn’t think I deserved to be on varsity as a freshman, but I know that I put a lot of work in (and) deserved it. 

TT: If you weren’t playing football, what would you be giving all your time to? 

NJ: Honestly, I would probably be doing another sport, probably track. Just focusing on another sport the way I focus on football. 

TT: Have you ever thought about leaving football for another sport? 

NJ: Uh, no. I’ve always played football. I started football when I was 4, so I’ve been doing it for a while. 

TT: Who are you outside of football? 

NJ: Outside of football, I think I really try to focus on my schoolwork. School is important to me; being a good role model for my family – my sisters (and) brothers.  

TT: Who truly pushes you and encourages you the most besides yourself? 

NJ: I’d say my mom. My mom is always on me about my stuff, and she wants me to be the best for myself. She’s always on me about every little thing that I need to get better at. 

TT: Do you look up to anyone? 

NJ: I don’t think I really look up to anyone. I feel like I just want to create my own path to where “Oh, I did this by myself,” and I wasn’t trying to follow someone else’s path. 

TT: What would you say the future holds for you when it comes to football? 

NJ: Honestly, I just hope that I get more opportunities with colleges.  I have Nevada and that’s a great opportunity to have I got that my freshman year, but I feel like there’s going to be a lot coming knowing that I’m going to have good seasons ... knowing that I’m the starting running back on varsity as a sophomore.