Jordan a rare gem

It's a rare athlete that can be plugged into any skill position and not only hang on for dear life, but actual excel and be one of the very best.

Maryville (TN) Red Rebel Chris Jordan is one of those rare athletes. He returns punts, he returns kicks, he plays DB (and has time at both CB and safety), he plays WR and starts at all of the above named positions. As a matter of fact, it's not often that the Rebels are on the field without #5 in the rotation.

At 5 foot 9, 175 lbs and running a sub 4.5 forty, he probably isn't going to be an odds on favorite to start at WR in the SEC, but his efforts and more importantly, his intangibles, have gotten him noticed by many schools. One of thos schools is the Air Force Academy, which offered Chris earlier this year.

We sat down with the shifty athlete to ask him about Maryville's current 69 game winning streak (2nd in the nation), about his future and what the rest of the season should look like for the 4A Rebels...

Chris, the first question just about anybody would ask a 4 time champion is, how do you and your teammates deal with the sometimes crushing pressure of a nearly 70 game win streak and being expected to win a championship every year?

"We really don't think about the streak. We try not to think about the streak but just think of it as one game at a time. The pressure is there every week, but more than anything it probably helps the team get focused for the game."

From your junior to your senior year, what did you want to improve on the most and what did you work on the most to prepare for 2008?

"One of the things I wanted to improve and worked on the most over the summer was my speed. I did a lot of work over the summer to emphasize improvements in speed. With a new quarterback coming in to play this year, I really just wanted to take on whatever role was given to me to help the team win."

You've played with two of the greatest QB's to come thru the MHS program in Brent Burnette and Derek Hunt. Talk about the transition from the success the three of you had together to relying on two unproven commodities at QB this year.

"Going into this year I knew that we would have to rely more on the running game as every team does in order to open up the passing game. With two new quarterbacks coming in this year I realized it could take a little longer for the passing game to emerge."

As mentioned, you play both ways: wr on offenee and db on defense. Which do you prefer and which do you think your better suited for? Which would you like to play at the next level?

"I probably prefer WR as my first position. However my size makes it a little harder to play that position and you have to make up for it with better fundamentals. At the next level I am hoping I will be able to play the slot receiver position."

Speaking of the next level, you already have an offer on the table from the Air Force Academy. Talk about that process, your recent trip to take in the Navy/AF game and who is recruiting you from AF.

"It's nice to know that there are already some options available and it certainly takes some pressure off of the season. I first became interested in the Air Force by going out to their camp this past summer and got to meet their coaches and had a really good time and a good camp there, and that's when they first starting expressing interest in my coming there to play.

I've had a lot of contact with Coach Clay Hendrix who is a friend of Coach Quarles. While at the camp I was in contact with Coach Mike Thiessen who is the wide receivers coach recruiting me. They have sent me quite a few letters since then and several weeks after the camp Coach Thiessen called me to make the official offer.

I did recently go out to watch the Air Force/Navy game to see what it was like there during a real game and I really had a good time. It was a great atmosphere with all the pre-game activities and planes flying over and the cadets marching in."

What other teams are showing you interest at this point? Is there anyone out there you have in mind you'd like to hear from? Would you say given that AF has offered they're the clear cut leader, or is there more ot it than that?

"I have also been offered by Columbia University in New York as well after I went to their camp this summer and the University of Chicago has also been expressing quite a bit of interest and has talked about having me come for an official visit after our season finishes. I really am trying to keep all my options open at this point. I wouldn't say that there are any definite favorites or front runners yet."

The Rebs are 9-0 and ranked #1 in 4A in TN. Talk a lil about the obstacles still in the road in 2008, who you might like to meet again in the playoffs and what will spell success and failure for MHS in 2008.

"At this point we are 9-0 and we really still have a lot of improvements to make. We have to keep working to get better. We're still focused on just taking each game one at a time even as we start into the playoffs. As long as we do what we need to do with each person's assignments then the scoreboard should take care of itself. We just need to listen to the coaches and try to play the best we can."

What did you learn about handling success and about your chosen positions from playing with guys like graduated Rebel WR and UT freshman Tyler Maples?

"I learned how important work ethic is and listening to the coaches during practice and the games and taking that information and putting it to use on the field. Practice is really important and the time spent there is what can make you more successful on the field during a game. Tyler was a great role model for trying to get the most out of practice and playing hard all the time."