Texas Football: 3 players impressing in practice after spring break
Austin Jordan, DB
A name that we have mentioned from time to time this spring is a defensive back that is cross-training more as a sophomore than he did as a true freshman in practice. Sophomore boundary cornerback and former blue-chip recruit Austin Jordan has trained both at corner and nickel this spring in the absence of sophomore defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau due to injury issues.
Given that it now looks as if Guilbeau could miss the entirety of spring ball, or at least be limited throughout, this will be a time that Jordan can get some valuable extra reps at multiple spots in the secondary.
A practice report from Eric Nahlin of Inside Texas on March 22 (paid content) noted that Jordan has shown “better fundamentals” while training in practice at boundary corner and the star position.
Jordan has shown the ability in the past to play at safety, nickel, or cornerback. He played multiple positions in the secondary at Denton-Ryan High School a few years ago. And with the length and ranginess that the 6-foot and 200-pound Jordan brings to the table, it’s not surprising that he’s picking up some of the necessary skills and tendencies to succeed at nickel pretty quickly this spring.
Next. 3 key injured players that returned to practice this week. dark
This is a critical offseason for Jordan, who showed flashes of what he could become as a rangy boundary corner while getting rotational snaps at the position behind Ryan Watts last season. He’s already starting to show more consistency and a better understanding of the schematics and fundamentals needed to succeed in Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense this spring.
He’ll be a key DB in Texas’ corner rotation that could also snag some reps at star, if needed, this fall.