| #16 |
| Name: | Benson Jordan |  |
| School: | Lake Hamilton |
| Class: | Senior |
| Position: | Quarterback |
| Height: | 6'3" |
| Weight: | 220 lbs |
| Forty: | 4.8 |
| College: | Undecided |
From Vype Magazine:
Football is in Benson Jordan’s blood. His grandfather Buddy Bob Benson quarterbacked Arkansas to the 1954 Southwest Conference championship. He then coached at Ouachita Baptist from 1965 to 1995 finishing with a record of 161-40-9 and four conference titles. One of his players was defensive back James “Tiger” Jordan, Jordan’s father.. Jordan’s uncle, Gary Benson, played at OBU and signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. He later spent 17 seasons as an NBA official.
“They’re like my role models and my idols,” Jordan said. “I was brought up in a coaching atmosphere where you are coached and criticized. They always tell you it is constructive criticism.”
Jordan is the No. 16-ranked player in the Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 Central Arkansas football players countdown.
The pressure of measuring up in a successful football family prepared the Lake Hamilton senior for a difficult year. Jordan (6-3, 205) succeeds the Wolves’ all-time passing leader Phillip Butterfield, who signed with Arkansas State. Jordan tries to lead an inexperienced squad to its third straight 6A state-title game trip after beating El Dorado for the championship in 2008.
Jordan, who helped Lake Hamilton to two seven-on-seven titles this summer, will be tested early with games at Texas High, Little Rock Central (at home) and at Pulaski Academy.
“It’s pressure to an extent,” Jordan said. “The nonconference schedule adds more pressure,” he said. “As long as we put points on the board, I know our defense is going to be great this year.”
The future will also be on Jordan’s mind this fall. He has a scholarship offer to play quarterback at OBU and hopes more attention is coming.
“Our schedule is real tough, but I am in a good situation being a senior with the team I have,” he said. “The underdog situation is great for me. I look forward to getting a few more offers and just winning. Winning is the big key for me.”
The coaches picked the Wolves No. 3 in the VYPE/AAA coach’s poll and in the 6A South poll. Lake Hamilton lost most of its key players, but boats more than 20 seniors on its roster.
“Being an underdog and being placed where we were in the preseason standings doesn’t bother me,” he said. “We are looking forward to the challenge.”
No matter what happens this fall, Jordan’s family will be following every play offering tips and encouragement.
“It’s fun to see them in the stands on Friday night,” Jordan said. “Having them be a part of my family is really an honor. No matter what, I never feel like I’ve lived up to their expectations because I keep setting the bar higher and higher for myself.”