Mike Jordan of Hazelwood, Missouri, shares no relationship with the NBA legend of the same name. When you have the same name as “His Airness” and possess an exceptionally athletic build, you are virtually guaranteed to get at least the occasional question about your skills on the court.
By: Cory Burrell
But this Jordan is passionate about a different sport – football, the sport he has excelled at as a standout defensive back for Division II Missouri Western State University. Jordan, like most DII talents, may not have the same recognition as his contemporaries in Division I, but with his skill, athleticism, and versatility, Jordan may soon make a name for himself in the NFL.
Jordan’s love for football came at a young age. In an interview with Optimum Scouting, Jordan said his older brother, Reggie Jordan, was one of the biggest reason he took to football so quickly.
“[Reggie] was my best friend,” Jordan said. “When he started playing football, I didn’t want to be bored by myself, so I followed him.”
Jordan quickly displayed a knack for the game much like his brother. He put together a solid high school career, primarily at wide receiver, while playing for Hazelwood Central.
Despite showing obvious talent, Jordan garnered virtually zero attention from scouts from the major DI programs, at least in part because of concerns over Jordan’s academics.
Jordan said he considered several options to play after high school, including junior college. But the Division II Missouri Western saw Jordan as a potential defensive force that could lock down opposing offenses with ease.
“From the minute I saw his high school tape, there was no question,” Regi Trotter, Missouri Western’s secondary coach, said in an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I knew he could play wide receiver. But you don’t get 6-foot-plus corners that can run and catch the ball as well as he does.”
Jordan was at first hesitant about playing on defense. But after visiting the school with his brother, who graduated from Missouri Western in 2014 and played football for the Griffons, Jordan said he “liked the vibe” from the coaches, players, and school in general. From that point on, Jordan said choosing Missouri Western was the “easy decision.”
After redshirting his first year with the Griffons in 2011, Jordan quickly found a role on the team, beating out upperclassmen to secure a starting role at cornerback. He finished his 2012 campaign starting 12 of 14 games, picking off four passes, including one returned for a touchdown, and earning MIAA Freshman of the Year honors.
Jordan said he credits his teammates, especially the “guys in front” of him, for mentoring him in his early seasons and helping him develop.
“If it wasn’t for the older guys, the guys ahead of me, showing me technique and how to improve, I would have never become the player I am today.”
One crucial component of Jordan’s game is his flexibility in virtually any defensive scheme the coaching staff wanted to use. Jordan found himself playing in 4-3 and 3-4 coverage, playing in zone or man coverage, and even switching between safety and cornerback. No matter what position Jordan was in on a play, it was a safe bet he would make an impact.
“I pride myself on being versatile, on being able to flourish in any given system,” Jordan said.
Jordan built on his success season after season, piling up accolades that included multiple first-team all-conference selections, back-to-back All-American honors, and the second-most career interceptions in school history (Jordan ended his career with 16 takeaways).
The Griffons finished every season of Jordan’s collegiate career with a winning record. Jordan’s final season ended with a 6-5 record. Missouri Western’s Jordan-led defense allowed 30 or more points only once all season long, and Jordan himself was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player from a small school.
While this would be considered a fitting final season to end a college career for many players, Jordan said he was not completely satisfied with his individual performance. Jordan said he would grade his own individual season performance as a “B-,” although he added he was happy with how his career ended as a whole.
“I had some dropped picks, some missed plays, but you’re never going to have a perfect season,” Jordan said. “I did a pretty good job of improving…I got much better as a press corner and learned to take advantage of my long arms and bigger frame more…I think I did what I wanted to do [in my college career].”
Jordan currently projects as a fifth-round talent in this year’s NFL Draft and as the 10th-best small school player available according to Optimum Scouting’s Small School Big Board.
While Division II players are typically not as sought after as the top blue-chip prospects from FBS schools, they are far from a rarity. Jordan said he is confident in his abilities to match up against any player at any level of competition.
“I knew there would be questions [coming from Division II],” Jordan said. “But I couldn’t control who I played. My athleticism is enough to compete with anyone in the country…I proved I could hang with the big dogs in the East-West Shrine Game. My stats prove my case.”
Missouri Western itself has garnered a recent reputation for producing NFL talent, including the Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein, Titans linebacker David Bass, and even Jordan’s own brother Reggie, who played with the Jacksonville Jaguars before suffering a hamstring injury.
As for other recent and notable DII prospects in the NFL, wide receiver John Brown of Pittsburgh State was taken in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Brown topped 1,000 receiving yards this season for the Cardinals, who reached the NFC Championship game this season. Brown and Jordan matched directly against each other in college during Jordan’s sophomore season. In this meeting, Brown was held to a mere four catches for 48 yards.
Jordan said he is trying his best to keep his mind off worrying what the draft might have in store for him.
“I’m training myself not to worry,” Jordan said. “Anything can happen on draft day…I would obviously love to be drafted, but I’m very thankful to get any opportunity. No matter where I go, I’m still going to be the same guy with a chip on my shoulder.”
Jordan said his talent, versatility, and character will let him succeed if given the opportunity.
“I pride myself as a great person as well as a football player,” Jordan said. “I’m a hard worker, a team player. I’m not concerned with individual awards and accolades…I can add a lot of versatility to any team.”
Jordan will find out what the NFL has in store for him when the 2016 NFL Draft takes place April 28-30.
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