Citadel Football: First Impression

Ex-Stratford standout running back makes a good one for the Bulldogs

It didn't take long for Asheton Jordan to make a lasting first impression on Citadel football fans.

In his first college football game last Saturday, the freshman running back darted for 15 yards on his first carry. On his second, he scored a 3-yard touchdown.

For the night, the 6-0, 206-pounder from Stratford High School ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 24-yard dash, and two scores in a 54-7 win over Webber International.

Four days later, Jordan still wore a broad smile on his face.

"I've replayed it a lot of times in my mind, been thinking about it all week," Jordan said Wednesday. "Just getting in the end zone, hearing the crowd yell — I loved all that."

In fall camp, Jordan also made a quick impression on his coaches. When sophomore Cody Wilson could not start Saturday because of an issue with his contact lens, head coach Kevin Higgins chose Jordan to start over redshirt freshman Rickey Anderson and Jordan's fellow freshmen, Terrell Dallas and Ryan Williams.

As the Bulldogs prepare to visit heavy favorite Clemson on Saturday, Jordan could get the start again, though Higgins said Jordan, Wilson and Anderson all will play.

"We still have a lot to find out about Asheton, Cody and Rickey," Higgins said. "We think all three have the ability to be good backs. We'll take it through this game with all three of them playing, and then during our bye week we'll evaluate and get a better handle on who No. 1 and No. 2 are. But until then, we'll get all three of them as much work as possible."

Jordan, an all-state pick and National Honor Society student at Stratford, was recruited by Appalachian State and had a scholarship offer from North Carolina to play free safety.

But Citadel assistant coach Bob Fello, who recruits the Lowcountry for the Bulldogs, was in early on Jordan and his Stratford teammate, linebacker Jeremy Buncum.

And Jordan's performance during practices at the North-South All-Star Game convinced Citadel coaches they needed him.

"We recruited Asheton hard and had him over for some games," Higgins aid. "And then at the North-South practices, every coach up there called and said, 'We've got to have this guy. He can run the ball and catch it, too.'

But the thing that has surprised me about Asheton is his ability to change direction for a big guy. That's a little unusual for a big guy this early in his career at this level."

Jordan and Buncum are the latest products of The Citadel's effort to recruit the Lowcountry more effectively, joining contributors such as lineman Daniel DeHaven (James Island H.S.), cornerback Tillman Millhouse (Summerville H.S.) and Bulldogs linebacker Mel Capers (Fort Dorchester), among others.

"Our goal is to get as many local guys in the program as we can," Higgins said. "And with more and more local guys having success, we hope it will encourage guys from the Lowcountry to stay at home and see what they have here right in their backyard."

That's a big reason that Jordan, for one, chose to ignore App State and North Carolina in favor of The Citadel.

"Coach Fello told me how The Citadel was up and coming, and how Coach Higgins was changing things," Jordan said. "I wanted to be a part of that, and get a good education. And, it's my hometown."

Reach Jeff Hartsell at jhartsell@postandcourier.com.

---

Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.

---

Comments

This article has  2 comment(s)