OL Tyler Jordan points to maturity In year two

In head coach Jim McElwain’s first season at Florida, the talk of the offseason was the makeshift offensive line that was all but thrown together in the spring, and then shuffled around in the fall. Freshman, Tyler Jordan, played meaningful snaps in all 14 games and started the last three games of the year. A big spot for a freshman to play in, especially in the Southeastern Conference.

Jordan, a Jacksonville native, models his game after former Jacksonville Jaguar and five-time Pro Bowler, Tony Boselli. Boselli was a versatile and physical offensive lineman that was quick with his hands and encompassed high level techniques; all traits in which Tyler Jordan has tried to implement during his second offseason as a Gator, “Technique, that’s the thing I want to work on most at camp,” Jordan said while speaking to the media on Tuesday.

Not only has Jordan focused on his technique, but he has also become more of a leader on the line, and with a thin depth chart, leadership is critical. Playing with a lot of energy is a key catalyst to good offensive line play. Antonio Riles brought a lot of that energy to the table before his season ending knee injury. Now Jordan has taken it upon himself to be the elevated energy leader of the unit. “We’ve had a bunch of guys step up, including me. I’ve had to get a lot more energetic,” Jordan said on Tuesday.

For much of his freshman year, Jordan played at guard and center, which is a lot different than his more comfortable position of tackle, where he played in high school. Switching between guard and center has helped Jordan become a more complete player. A player that the coaches have come to rely on and trust in their system.

There is a lot of pressure that comes with playing as a freshman in college, especially on the offensive line. That pressure is only followed by increased pressure the next year to improve and go above and beyond what you showed in your first season. Jordan spoke about the pressure that is on the offensive line crew this year.

“It’s a lot, but we’ve got to step up, make holes for the backs, protect the quarterback,” he said. “If we do that, we’re going to succeed.”

Though the stakes are high and the pressure is right there with it, Tyler Jordan had his share of battles in the trenches. Last season, he squared off with a couple of top defensive lineman in the country in games against Alabama and LSU. This season, Jordan gets another opportunity to confront the best in the country. With trips to Tennessee and a home stand against LSU, Jordan will have a full plate, but according to Jordan, those tests are nothing compared to what he faces every day in practice. Facing guys like Caleb Brantley and CeCe Jefferson, have made it possible for the offensive line –and Jordan specifically—to come together and make themselves better in preparation for a season filled with trails and tribulations.