J.W. Jordan emerges as a
MIKE CONNOLLY
Sports Writer
Before Irish fifth-year guard J.W. Jordan even stepped on campus, his name was already well-known. His father, John Jordan II, is a member of the Board of Trustees and an influential donor.
Now, five years later, J.W. Jordan is known by his own name — not his father's — as a member of the Irish football team. After seeing just 13 minutes, 54 second of playing time in his first four years with the Irish, Jordan has become a regular in the offensive guard rotation with 24:49 of playing time in 2001. He's made appearances in four games this year and, according to Irish head coach Bob Davie, he's earned every opportunity he's received.
"I told him when he recruited him, I sat him down and said, `You're going to have to outwork everybody,'" Davie said. "`You're going to have to work for everything you get. You know, let's face it, you're going to have to be in some ways an overachiever, not because you don't have enough athletic ability but because you are undersized. You're just going to have to outwork everybody.'"
For five years Jordan put in his time in the weight room and with his playbook to improve. Through his dedication, he has become one of the most reliable players on the offensive line.
"He knows how to get it done," Irish center Jeff Faine said. "He doesn't look like the most dominant player but he gets it done ... He has a lot of experience and knows what is going on."
But at the same time that Jordan worked hard on the practice field to improve, rumors swirled that he only received his scholarship because of his influential father. The rumors began even before Jordan enrolled. In the Feb. 6, 1997 edition of The Observer, each football player signing with the Irish for the Class of 2001 was listed on the front of sports section with his stats and awards listed next to his name. From Anthony Denman to Justin Smith, each player was lauded for his high school achievements.
Everyone except Jordan.
Next to his name it said "Jordan Auditorium, 'nuff said"— referring to the auditorium on campus his father helped fund.
Throughout his career at Notre Dame, Jordan has been aware of the rumors, but no one has ever confronted him.
"Nobody really ever had the guts to say things to my face but I've heard people talk," Jordan said. "I hear stuff like that all the time but nobody ever said anything to my face."
All the rumors about Jordan receiving special privileges from the football team has been just talk, according to Davie.
"There's nothing political about me. Nothing," Davie said. "So everything he's done here, he's earned and everything he's gotten here, he deserves."
If anything Davie said that Jordan's pedigree has made Davie work him harder — not easier.
"He always said to me that I would have to work harder than everyone else," Jordan said. "If I did succeed it would be even more rewarding to me and he has been right about that."
Entering the 2001 season, Jordan thought his best opportunity to succeed would be as a backup center for the Irish. He was listed as second on the depth chart in spring practice but injuries led to a position change.
While he was still the backup center, he also filled in at guard.
"He did some good things for us in that backup center and he continues to be very consistent in practice with the situation we had at guard. He is good at pulling, especially in the option game," Davie said.
But after a spring full of promise, Jordan injured his knee in summer practice. Torn medial collateral ligaments in his knee forced him to miss most of summer practice and the first three games of the season. He did not return until the Pitt game.
But in games against the quick defensive tackles of the Panthers, the Mountaineers, the Trojans and the Eagles, Jordan has been valuable.
"I am better against the smaller, quicker guys," he said. "I try to focus on my technique. I think that gives me that advantage."
Saturday against Tennessee's huge defensive tackles doesn't fit Jordan's style of play so he might not see the field. But regardless of what the future brings, Jordan will be known by Irish fans for much more than his father.
"We trust him," Davie said. "He goes in there and he knows what to do."
'Nuff said.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, November 1, 2001
