Senior defensive end Jason Meehan’s foray into martial arts was part of a family affair, and he’s seen that experience pay off on the football field.

Jason Meehan’s dad, Justin Meehan, is a world-renowned Chinese martial artist. A lawyer by trade, Justin Meehan has been studying and teaching martial arts for more than 40 years.

“When you grow up in that family you do a lot of martial arts,” Jason Meehan said. “And it’s something we do together, something we travel a lot for it, [something] I competed in and something I taught for a while.”

Jason Meehan said the techniques he’s learned in martial arts, which he’s been involved in his “entire life,” translate to football.

“A lot of the … defensive pass rush moves or hand moves really have physical application in martial arts,” Jason Meehan said. “A lot of them are very similar; I didn’t learn that until I started playing defensive line.

“Being a defensive end, being a defensive lineman where you’re smaller than most offensive lineman, that’s where [balance] comes into play with being able to stop more weight using less force. You can generate so much force, but knowing weight distribution and knowing they’re using their weight against them is really how you become a good defensive lineman, but it also transfers into martial arts.”

Now in his fourth season with the Huskies and his first as a regular starter, Meehan has a team-high five tackles for loss and four sacks this season. Defensive line coach Brett Diersen said the success Meehan has had is due in part to his observant nature and willingness to learn, which the senior learned not only in martial arts but also in basketball and soccer, as well as in football.

“I think the nice thing he’s done is he’s observed,” Diersen said. “He wasn’t the guy starting, getting a lot of playing time, and I think he observed and learned from a lot of good players before him. The other thing that sticks out with him is he’s a film guy. He watches a ton of film, and he’s got questions on it. I think that’s the reason he’s at his situation where he’s at right now.

“I’ll be honest with you, he’s got a lot of work to do, and he knows that as well, but I think the guys before him and I think the work he puts in off the field as far as mental prep, I think that helps him out.”

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle William Lee said in his short time with the Huskies he’s seen Meehan as a natural leader on and off the field.

“He brings a lot of leadership,” Lee said. “He’s a good guy; he brightens up the meeting rooms with his smile. He’s just a real good leader. He helps us a lot, like sometimes we may not know what to do and stuff in some situations, but he helps us out.”