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Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
Sept. 19, 2000
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Jordan was the nation's top rusher during the last six weeks of the 1999 season, running for 1,101 yards. (Allsport)
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An All-America candidate who has received several national honors, Maryland's LaMont Jordan entered the 2000 season as arguably the top running back in the country and one player that will be on every NFL coaches' wish list come draft time.
But, first things first! Before looking ahead to pros, Jordan still has one whole season of college football to set new records, make a run at the Heisman Trophy and chat with college football fans on CBS SportsLine.com. He dropped by to talk about the new season.
Jordan entered the season as the NCAA's leading active rusher, a Heisman Trophy candidate, and a 2000 Preseason All-American of Lindy's/CBS.SportsLine.com, as well as Playboy and several other publications. He was the nation's top rusher during the last six weeks of last season, running for 1,101 yards (183.5 ypg). He finished 1999 with 1,632 yards in 11 games, the third-best rushing season in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history.
A punishing hard-nosed runner with deceptive speed, Jordan moved the chains for Maryland as he was one of four of the NCAA's top-10 rushers who averaged over six yards per carry last season. Jordan had seven games with at least 147 yards rushing in 1999. He set a single-game school record rushing for 306 yards vs. Virginia; it was the third best single-game performance in ACC history.
Jordan boasts 3,227 career rushing yards and a 5.4 average per rush. He is only 132 yards shy of breaking the Terps' career rushing record of 3,359 yards, set by Charlie Wysocki in 1981 and 1,376 yards short of the ACC career rushing standard, set by N.C. State's Ted Brown in 1978.
LaMont Jordan: Hello! I am ready to take your questions!
Question: What type of runningback would you describe yourself to be in College Football?
LaMont Jordan: I would say I am a deceiving back. Some people look at my size and say I am too big to have the speed and moves I have. And some would say that I don't look large enough to run with the power I have.
Question: How exciting is it to you to even be mentioned as a Heisman Candidate?
LaMont Jordan: It is very exciting! The Heisman Trophy goes to supposedly the best College Football player. Just to be mentioned with guys like Michael Vick and Drew Brees it is quite an honor.
Question: What has been your most memorable game at MD to date?
LaMont Jordan: I would have to say the UVA Game. We got down 17 points and came back. The fans got a very exciting game.
Question: Describe what it's like to play in the ACC Conference in College Football?
LaMont Jordan: Very exciting! Playing against teams like Florida State and Clemson and the Tarheels is very exciting. Going to all those stadiums and seeing the fan support they have is great. I am excited to be playing in the ACC Conference.
Question: Who has been the biggest influence to you both on and off the field?
LaMont Jordan: I'd say a number of people. My high school coaches, a few teachers from highschool and some of my teammates like Omar Cheesborough, Shawn Forte and Tony Jackson and and I cant leave out my position coach, Mike Loxle
Question: Lamont, what is your personal goal for this season?
LaMont Jordan: Lead the nation in rushing and putting my team in the best position to go to a big bowl game.
Question: Is there any one player you looked up to or tried to model your game after?
LaMont Jordan: I look up to a number of players. Jeff George, Deion Sanders, John Elway.. but if I had to choose a running back that I modeled my game after I would have to say Eddie George.
Question: What do you think you'll miss the most about college and college football when you move on to the NFL?
LaMont Jordan: I think college life in general. College football is a business but I don't think it will be as much about business as it will be in the NFL. I will miss the teammates of mind that I hang around. I will miss the whole college experience.
Question: How hard is it being an athlete and still being a student in the classroom as well?
LaMont Jordan: Being able to budget your time between football and schoolwork. Football takes up a lot of time and you have to be able to manage that time.
Question: What other hobbies do you have besides football?
LaMont Jordan: I like working with kids, motivational speaking, writing poetry, swimming, bowling, sleeping and watching movies.
Question: How often did you practice in the offseason?
LaMont Jordan: I had a regular routine I stuck to.
Question: Who do you think are the best defensive players in the ACC?
LaMont Jordan: Derrick Gibson from FSU, Keith Adams from Clemson, Brandon Spoon from NC are some of the better ones. And of course, the whole Maryland defense!
Question: Did you have another sport that you excelled at? Ever consider doubling up at it?
LaMont Jordan: Baseball. I've done a good job with Baseball. I was also a pretty good track runner. If I had to choose two I would put a combination of Football and Track together.
Question: What was the hardest part of adjustment for you going from playing at the high school level to playing at the Division I college level?
LaMont Jordan: I would have to say managing my time. In high school you had a set schedule and if you missed a class teachers would call your house. But in college it is up to you to do what you have to do.
Question: Do you stay in touch with guys you played with in high school? Can they believe where you've gotten to?
LaMont Jordan: I stay in touch with a couple of them. I think a few from every sport that I've played. And a lot can believe and wished me the best of luck and thought I could be here someday.
Question: Describe what playing in the NFL will mean to you in the future?
LaMont Jordan: It gives me an opportunity to continue playing the sport I love. It will hopefully make me a lot of money which will help me do what I want to do in the future and that is help rebuild communities.
Question: What kind of things push you to be a better player?
LaMont Jordan: Seeing other great players, seeing players in the NFL. The competitive part of the sport and wanting to go out and be the best at what I do!
LaMont Jordan: I want to thank everybody for their questions and hopefully you will come out and support the Maryland football team!