Prolific NMMI 2017 JUCO QB Jordan Ta’amu Talks Ole Miss Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The future in the pocket for Ole Miss maybe set with Class of 2016 five-star quarterback Shea Patterson, but having an extremely talented option never hurts. On Saturday, the Rebels added another key piece to their 2017 class when New Mexico Military Institute dual-threat Joran Ta’amu pledged to the University of Mississippi.
Ta’amu had a breakout season for NMMI hitting 198-of-334 passes for 3,014 yards with 32 touchdowns against eight interceptions in nine games played. The 6-3, 205 pound, talent was also the leading rusher for his squad compiling an additional 328 yards on 115 carries with seven more touchdowns accounted for this season. Putting up big numbers in a spread offense is nothing new to Ta’amu. His high school days with Pearl City in Hawaii has helped prepare him for this moment in time.
Ole Miss is getting a true dual-threat who is more than capable of stepping in against SEC talent if needed. In addition to being a quality talent on the roster capable of helping push the starting quarterback competition to bigger heights, Ta’amu is an outstanding young man off the field bringing a strong sense of leadership and family values with him to Oxford.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Ta’amu after his commitment to Ole Miss to find out how his verbal pledge took place and how the Rebels staff won him over against offers from Southern Miss, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Eastern Kentucky.
Interview
Jordan, first, congrats on your commitment to Ole Miss.
“Thank you.”
You took your official to Mississippi this weekend. Obviously the trip went well. What all did you do when you got to Oxford?
“We got in on Friday night. I had dinner with Coach Ben (Aigamaua – player personnel analyst), he is the one that has been recruiting me. We went back to the hotel and relaxed. I had my host, Jordan Sims (sophomore right guard), with me the whole night. We relaxed and hung out. Everyone was cool and the community was great. We kicked it at Jordan Simms house for a little while. He was telling us about the program in and out of season. He talked about the grind of the season and how the SEC is one of the best conferences in the country.
“The next day we had all tours all day. We went over the academics, everything was perfect. We were looking at the buildings. Oxford is a small beautiful town. Everything is within walking distance. We picked out our jerseys, tried them on. We saw the facilities, stadium, and locker room. Everything was outstanding for me. After all of that, I flew out today (Sunday).”
How did the commitment take place?
“We had a meeting with Coach (Hugh) Freeze (head coach). He answered all of our questions. He talked to us about faith, family, and love, and that is what their team is about. He spoke about how he puts God first. He is a man of God. My family and I are looking forward to the atmosphere at Ole Miss. He has the same love for God as we do. I told him, “Hey coach I want to compete against the best in the best conference in the nation. I want to get this done and commit to Ole Miss.” I did that when my parents and I sat down with him Saturday afternoon.”
What influenced you to commit to Ole Miss? You mentioned loving the town and Coach Freeze being a man of faith. What else inspired you to commit to the Rebels?
“Me and my family, all my church family have been praying about it. I had five offers. I shortened it to my top three of Ole Miss, Minnesota, and New Mexico. I felt loved by the coaches that were supporting me at Ole Miss. I’m going to sign on Wednesday. I wanted a school that I could fit in and one that felt like family. I wanted a place where I could succeed.
“When I visited Ole Miss, as soon as I met the coaches and stepped foot on campus I loved the atmosphere. It felt like a second home to me. I feel like Ole Miss is in one of the best conferences in college football. I can play and compete against the best competition in college football. I just felt that Ole Miss was the best place for me.”
What was the reaction of Coach Freeze when you committed?
“He was happy and relieved to get a JUCO QB to come in and compete for the job. He seemed happy for me and my family. I could not believe that I was going to a SEC school coming from Hawaii. This is a blessing.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I was nervous, excited, and shocked. I was like ‘wow, this great program wants me.’ After I posted my commitment on Twitter, I went by the press box area looking down on the field thinking God really did this for me. Without my family and supporters, I don’t think I could have done it and everyone else that has helped me through this walk. I am pumped for next semester. I am ready to show people what I can do.”
Are you going to recruit other players to join you in Oxford?
“They (Ole Miss) are looking at two other guys from my school, defensive end Nate Anderson (Toronto) and left tackle Edward Taufa’asau (Pago Pago). They said they have interest in them, but they have not offered them yet. We will see if that happens.”
What other official visits did you take besides the one to Ole Miss?
“I was supposed to go to Minnesota this weekend, doing a split visit. They accepted a commitment from another JUCO quarterback. That made my decision even easier. When I heard that news, and went to Ole Miss, I knew it was going to be a great weekend. I took another official to New Mexico too.”
We have not talked since your season wrapped up. How did your season end up overall?
“I wanted our season to end in a bowl game. We fell short of the playoffs, but I love my team and the coaching staff. I’m sure they will come back hungrier next year. Individually, I think I did outstanding. I really wanted to win a bowl game with my team this year.”
Jordan, again, congratulations on your commitment to Ole Miss. Good luck next semester during spring ball.
“Thank you.”
Ole Miss 2017 Verbal Commitment List (12)
SS AJ Harris, 6-0, 190, Bob Jones HS, Madison, AL
CB Javien Hamilton, 5-10, 170, Jones County JC, Ellisville, MS
CB Jamar Richardson, 5-11.5, 167, Aliceville HS, Aliceville, AL
LB Josh Clarke, 6-3, 220, Riverdale HS, New Orleans, LA
DE Ryder Anderson, 6-7, 230, Katy HS, Katy, TX
DE Jay Johnson, 6-4, 210, East Mississippi C.C., Scooba, MS
OT Ben Brown, 6-6, 285, St. Aloysius HS, Vicksburg, MS
OG Lavante Epson, 6-3, 315, Washington School, Greenville, MS
QB Alex Faniel, 6-5, 225, Glen Allen HS, Glen Allen, VA
QB Jordan Ta’amu, 6-3, 205, New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, NM
WR RJ Sneed, 6-2, 180, Cyrpress Ranch HS, Cypress, TX
ATH/WR D.D. Bowie, 6-1, 200, Morton HS, Morton, MS
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Photo credit: Ta’amu family; Jordan Ta’amu with head coach Hugh Freeze.
Photo credit: Ta’amu family; Jordan Ta’amu and family at Ole Miss.
Photo credit: Ta’amu family; Jordan Ta’amu in the Ole Miss locker room.