Today, CFC shines the spotlight on class 2012 star defensive end and recent Mount Allison commit, Jordan Redding. Jordan began playing football in grade ten for the Citadel Phoenix.
Jordan Redding
Positions:
Defensive End
Height/Weight:
6’5, 205 lbs
Teams:
Citadel Phoenix (high school: NSSAFFL)
Halifax Seahawks (varsity: NSVFL)
Halifax Hornets (varsity: NSVFL)
Commitment:
Commitment to Mount Allison University
Class:
2012
When he began his football career with the Citadel Phoenix of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL), Jordan was a receiver and the 56th player on the roster. That was just a hair shy of being able to dress in a game (55 is the number). Halfway through his rookie season, he got his chance to play as the Citadel coaches switched him over to the defensive end position.
In hindsight, it was a move which paid off for both the team and Jordan himself. During the defensive end’s high school career, the Phoenix won three straight NSSAFFL Tier 1 championship titles. Jordan played an integral role on a stingy, defensive core that many opposing teams dreaded facing in league games.
As a result of having an exceptional campaign in the NSSAFFL this past season, the Phoenix defensive standout was recognized for his efforts. Jordan was selected to the league’s Nova Division first all-star team in a defensive line position. Additionally, he was co-team defensive lineman of the year and the team’s most improved defensive lineman of the year.
The next phase of Jordan’s football and academic life will involve moving to New Brunswick as he has recently committed to Mount Allison.
“I am proud to say that in the fall I will be continuing my career as a Mountie,” states the graduating standout.
Jordan will join Phoenix defensive partner Max Fitzgerald in suiting up for the Mounties. While Fitzgerald’s decision to go to the school didn’t impact his own, Jordan does say that it’s great that the “boys are sticking together.”
However, his reasons for choosing the school were quite simple: reputation, opportunity and comfort.
“I chose Mount A because it was just a great fit,” explains the future Mounties player. “It has been consistently the top undergraduate school in the country (by MacLean’s Magazine).”
“They only have one or two returning defensive ends returning so I’ll be able to go and compete for playing time right from the start.”
Having accomplished so much in such a short time in his football career is a significant, yet amazing feat. It is not lost on Jordan how important the Phoenix coaching staff have been during his career. In particular, Jeff Lawley (co-head coach/defensive coordinator), Dan Parker (defensive line coach) and Harrison Petropolis (defensive line coach) have influenced Jordan as a player and a person.
“I had no background in defensive line at all before they took me in,” adds Jordan, who’s played for the Halifax Seahawks and Halifax Hornets of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL). “It’s safe to say they made me the football player I am today.”
In life, Jordan is appreciative of the support his family has given him throughout the years. His parents and his older triplet sisters have been a steady influence.
“They all played a big role in raising me and they all pushed me to try and help me succeed in everything I did,” comments the graduating Phoenix defensive star.
In three years of playing football, Jordan says he has learned a lot about discipline and time management skills.
“Football has made me a much more disciplined person in all aspects of my life,” explains Jordan. “Also, having it almost every day for a couple hours has taught me how to manage my time pretty well.”
Lawley has instructed the graduating star for the past three seasons and says he’s the complete package. Additionally, Jordan brings invaluable experience from the basketball court and has been able to apply those skills to the gridiron with success.
“Jordan has all the bases covered, he is a physical specimen, smart student, and workhorse in the weight room,” explains the Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator. “Jordan plays on the basketball team at Citadel and as such has great “ups” which enable him to be quick off the line and make plays on the field.”
Taking advantage of opportunities which present themselves on the field has translated into success for Jordan. Lawley says the Mounties will truly benefit from Jordan’s addition.
“Jordan seems to possess some sort of ‘sixth sense’ that always seems to put him in the right place at the right time,” comments Lawley. “He has a staggering number of interceptions and knock downs as a defensive end and even some that led to personal turnovers for touchdowns.”
“Mount A has signed a terrific proto typical defensive end in Jordan Redding.”
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