One to Watch Interview: Expanding Role for 2017 RB Jordan Glenn is Opening New Recruiting Doors

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Being a team player may always be the right thing to do but may not always be an easy task to complete. During the 2015 season, Jordan Glenn alternated between running back and fullback but primarily served as the lead blocker for his tailbacks. Being a 5-9, 185 pound, fullback does not bring college recruiters to the front door.

Glenn accepted his role and did it well. Eufaula High School turned in a 9-3 season in 2015 going up against Alabama 5A competition. Stats for Glenn’s junior season are incomplete, but through six games he had 26 carries for 228 yards with three scores averaging 8.8 yards per tote.

Some interests and offers have come down the pipeline with more offers sure to come. Glenn has an offer from Marshall and Union College (KY) with teams like Troy, Furman, Tennessee-Martin, Alabama A&M, Purdue, Mercer, and Mississippi State showing interest. All of the schools want to see Glenn’s senior season reel. If the Tigers last game is any indication of how the rest of the season will play out, college coaches will get plenty of film on Glenn.

The Tigers have started the season 2-1 but tweaked the offense ahead of their Sept. 2 game against Booker T. Washington (Tuskegee). The result was an offensive explosion leading to a 56-18 win. Green was a big beneficiary of the changes rushing for over 100 yards.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I got in-depth with Glenn on his preparations for his senior season, how the 2016 season has played out on the field for him thus far, and received the inside scoop on his recruitment to date.

Interview

Jordan, which camps did you go to this summer to help prepare you for your senior year and boost your recruiting interest?

“I went Samford, Alabama A&M, a Rivals camp in Atlanta, and the Nike Opening Atlanta.”

Of the college camps you attended, which did you perform your best?

“I’d probably say the Samford camp.”

What did you do well at the Samford camp?

“My drills, the fundamentals I showed, and my route running. I really practiced that a lot over the summer.”

What else did you work on this off-season?

“Oh man, pretty much all aspects of the game. Specifically, running harder and getting the mindset that one guy cannot bring me down. Looking for the cut-back whenever I can. My speed, my lower body strength, running through arm tackles, moving the pile, and my burst through the hole when I see daylight.”

What was the best 40-yard dash time you turned in this off-season?

“My best was a 4.59 this spring at school.”

Did you max out in the weight room?

“Yes sir. My bench press was 315, squat was 405, and my power clean was 250.”

What are your strengths on the field as a running back?

“Running downhill. I’ve never had a problem getting downhill or running north and south. Blocking, playing fullback and running back you have to block. Another thing is breaking tackles and getting tough yards. That is the thing college coaches like about me.”

What is your mindset with the ball in your hands?

“A lot of people ask me why I run so hard, they say it looks like I run like I am mad. I run hard because my dad was a high school star in Jackson (MS). He signed with and played at Jackson State. He was a star there. He was drafted and played with the New England Patriots. Every time we go back home to Mississippi, it is like I am still living in his shadow. I have a lot to live up to. It is good sometimes but I want to forge my own path.

“I look to prove that I can play running back. There are some people who say I am not a D-I back but a D-II guy. People saying that, I want to prove them wrong. That’s why I run with a chip on my shoulder, I have something to prove. I always think that I can’t quit or ease up, I have to prove everyone wrong.”

Did you set any team or personal goals for yourself for the 2016 season?

“Yes sir. The team goal is obviously win a state championship. We’ve been held to the second round of the playoffs, I want us to move past that mark and go deep into the playoffs. My personal goal is really to just enjoy my senior year. I did not make a stat line goal, I felt like that would deter me from the team goal making it about me. I of course want to play great every game. I want at least 10 touchdowns. If I had a personal goal along with the 10 touchdowns it would be 100 yards a game. My main goal is just winning and going out there every Friday making the best of my opportunities.”

How is the Eufaula backfield set up this year?

“We have a three-man rotation at running back. I’m playing running back, all the special teams, fullback on certain plays, and doing speed sweeps out of the backfield.”

Grading yourself, how have you done so far this year?

“This past game against Booker T. (Washington), that was my breakout game. That was my best game so far. I got Player of the Week. I rushed for 115 yards with three touchdowns. We struggled running the ball the first two games. People were talking about our running game. We had a big game and got back to running the ball. I came in with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I touched the ball I ran hard. We hushed a lot of doubters.”

Do you have any offers right now?

“I have two offers, one from Marshall and one from Union College.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“Alabama A&M, UT-Martin, Purdue, Mississippi State, Furman, Mercer, and Troy.”

Which position are the colleges recruiting you to play?

“Strictly running back.”

Do you have any visits lined up?

“This past weekend I went to Troy for their season opener. This Saturday I am going to visit Auburn for the Arkansas State game. I plan to visit Georgia Tech, Mercer, and I want to make it to UT-Martin. I have a teammate that signed with them. I want to see what they are all about and maybe I’ll make it to a Mississippi State game.”

How did the Troy visit go for you?

“It was great. They know me personally down there. My dad coached their defensive backs coach. It was a good experience. Troy has a great environment, they are always welcoming. Now I am just trying to produce on the field and wait on the offer.”

What was your GPA for your junior year?

“3.0.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet and if so do you have a score you don’t mind sharing?

“I scored a 19 on the ACT.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“English.”

Do you participate in any other sports for Eufaula?

“Track.”

Which events?

“The 100 and 400.”

Which one is your best?

“The 100. It is a shorter distance (laughs).”

Back to Eufaula, you guys are 2-1 how does the team look going forward?

“We look good. I feel like we can make it into the second or third round of the playoffs. We changed up on our offense in Game 3 (Booker T. Washington) from the first two games. We changed it to a base instead of a zone offense. More of our plays are downhill-smash mouth running plays. All of our running backs did well last week with the changes. It gave our guys a lot of confidence. We feel confident going into tomorrow’s game (Central of Clay County) that we will be in for a good game if we execute the plays we practiced all week.”

Who is the best player you have played against so far in your high school career?

“The best player I went up against was Marlon Davidson (Class of 2016 defensive end). I think he started for Auburn last weekend. That’s a man. I’m 5-9, he’s 6-4 (260). At first, going into the game you hear about him that he’s a five-star and one of the top guys in the country. You try to not let it get to you. Once you see him play and see how hard he plays, he does not let up at all. And how big he is. Some guys are all hype, with him he backed it up 100 percent. You had to give him respect. He earned it, hands down. Proud to compete up against a top guy like that.”

Jordan, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 28 Jordan Glenn

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 28 Jordan Glenn in action

Photo credit: Glenn family; Jordan Glenn at Troy