The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.
Days after losing Ohio's second-ranked offensive lineman to a neighboring state's flagship college football program (Liam Eichenberg to Notre Dame), the Buckeyes received word that Michigan's second-ranked offensive lineman, Michael Jordan, would become the 15th member of their 2016 class.
A 6-foot-6, 285-pound tackle, Jordan became a primary target for the Ohio State – led by the recruiting of Ed Warinner and Kerry Coombs – last fall. Quietly, the Buckeyes moved themselves ahead of schools like Michigan and Michigan State for the country's 171st-ranked player through honest assessment and a focus on life off of the football field.
Jordan has made no visits to other schools since his commitment to Ohio State and has gone on-the-record stating that he is 100-percent committed to the Buckeyes without any interest in making other official visits.
Today, he joins the 11W Community Interview series and takes your questions.
What does being a Buckeye for the rest of your life over a school from that state up north mean to you for your life after football? – SavannahGABuckeye
MJ: Being a Buckeye is once in a lifetime opportunity. For the rest of my life being a Buckeye means I'll always have Buckeye nation for support. It also means that I will have my degree to depend on, and from one the best business schools in the nation.
Biggest influence to become a Buckeye- Urban Meyer, Ed Warinner or just the general dominance the slobs have displayed over the last couple years? Or something else? – FatPants
MJ: The biggest influence in my becoming a Buckeye was the whole team and the entire coaching staff. The players feel like family and that's huge. Also, for my position specifically, (Ed) Warinner is a great offensive line coach and I know he's capable of getting the best out of me.
What was the deciding factor that made you believe Ohio State is the place to spend the next 3-5 years of your life? – Toad1204
I will have my degree to depend on... from one the best business schools in the nation
MJ: The deciding factor for me in my decision to be a Buckeye was the academic prestige at Ohio State. They had my major and minor, which was huge, because I wanted to study international business and Chinese.
Do you get any flak for being a Michigan native and choosing to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes? If so, how do you deflect it? – Braxton2Devin
MJ: I just want to let everyone know I am not a native of Michigan. I am from Ohio, so I am just returning to my home state. Still, I do get a lot of crap from Michigan fans, but most of them tell me well if Ohio State is the best fit for you, then go there.
Do you have any other hobbies that may surprise some of us? – BlockO330
MJ: Other hobbies I have and things I like to do? I wrestle but I'm also on the track team. I throw the shotput and the discus. Here's a surprise: I once ran the 4 x 100.
Who are some players that the coaches who recruited you, compared you too? – MacG91
MJ: Some coaches have compared me to Joe Staley, the current left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. I appreciate it but I'm just trying to be best I can be.
Without naming names or schools, what was the best and worst pitch a recruiter/coach gave you? And how excited are you to work with Coach Warinner? – Maka
MJ: The worst pitch I've gotten from a coach – which was not from Ohio State, just putting that out there – is that he would ask me 'do you want to be the best and be a champion?' I said 'yes' and he said 'then are you ready to commit?' I said 'no,' so he told me 'well, I guess you don't want to be the best or a champion.'
I can not wait to get a chance to get coached up by Ed Warinner.
With the emphasis Coach Meyer and his assistants put on getting your education at Ohio State for life after you graduate, what direction do you hope to pursue? – ToTheHouse
MJ: I want to travel the world and do business, that's why education is so important to me. I need to be at the school that will help me do that.
What do you feel are your biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses as an Olineman? – KB1
MJ: I feel like everything about my game can be done better; but as a lineman I feel like my speed and strength is where I excel, I've got good feet and I move well. Right now, my biggest weakness as an offensive lineman is probably my hand placement on pass protection.
What are your biggest goals on and off the football field? – GonzoGrover
MJ: My biggest goals off the field and through college is first to get my degree, but then to settle down and get married. On the field my biggest goal is to start for Ohio State then play professional football. I think the school can help me reach all those goals.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate the time.
