Some might consider Jeremiah Jordan to be a late bloomer on the gridiron.
If that is the case, the Merrillville High senior linebacker has saved his best for when it matters the most.
"I've always been active in sports, but did not start participating in football until I was in eighth grade going into my freshman year," recalled the 5-foot-11, 220-pound standout. "My biggest influences as a football player have to be old NFL (National Football League) players like (former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Famer) Ray Lewis. Just seeing the physicality that he brought to the game makes me excited to play."
Since getting an opportunity to be a contributor on the varsity as a sophomore, Jordan has made his presence known with 87 total tackles, including eight for loss, and five quarterback sacks over his first two campaigns.
In 2024, he has done his fair share to help the Pirates to a 10-1 record and claim their sixth straight sectional crown with 60 tackles, including five or loss, and one sack.
"I will do anything to better myself, explained Jordan. "I constantly pushed myself in the weight room throughout the off-season. My coaches also really pushed me to have great workouts so that I could improve my game at the same time. As linebackers, Coach (Pat) Winters had us working all off-season to improve our game by watching film, etc."
This also goes for the classroom where he has made tremendous strides after getting off to a slow start early on with his studies.
"To me. organization is key now," Jordan said. "That's why I try to maintain the athletics-academics balance to make sure I stay on track."
Having been around Jeremiah since the start of his career, veteran Merrillville boss Brad Seiss has noticed the transformation.
"Jeremiah is a great kid who has come a long way," explained Seiss, who is now in his 10th year on the sidelines "He epitomizes why high school coaches do what they do. He's shown tremendous growth as a player with much-improved preparation, work ethic, and commitment to the classroom. These were things that we couldn't always say about Jeremiah.
"I'm very proud of him really transforming into a guy that our defense can really depend on. He brings tremendous physicality to our defense. That's because he has really improved with the help of Coach Winters, his linebackers coach, and Josh Sabinas, our defensive coordinator."
Jordan has admiration for his leader as well.
"Playing for Coach Seiss is amazing," explained Jordan. "He has high expectations for everybody no matter who you are. He has impacted my career by teaching me about respect, being reliable, and being the best at whatever it is that I do."
After getting blanked (28-0) by eventual Class 5A state champion Fort Wayne Snider in last season's northern semistate, Jeremiah and his teammates have been on a mission to get redemption.
"This year, we have worked harder together than ever before," explained Jordan/ "Throughout the summer, we really came together as a team and defensive unit. We all trust and love one another in that defensive room and that has paid off to this point."
Even though hopes of a perfect season were dashed early on by defending Class 6A state runner-up Crown Point (46-13 on September 6), staying focused on the bigger prize in all areas has not been an issue.
"Physically, we still lift in-season to maintain our physicality," Jordan said, "We also will do extra conditioning as a team to keep improving in that regard. Before games, I like to have my favorite pre-game meal, listen to music, and I put the rest in God's hands. The stress and pressure are easy to deal with because I know that the coaches and my teammates have my back."
If No. 3 Merrillville is going to make it back to the Final Four for the second straight year and fifth time in the last six seasons, they first need to take care of business again in the regional round against Duneland Conference rival and No. 7 Valparaiso (8-3) at Demaree Stadium on November 15.
"We have to be dominant on every single play again," explained Jordan, whose club posted a 35-7 win over the Vikings on October 4. "This will happen by reading keys and taking the ball away from them."
Although he won't be wearing Merrillville's purple and white uniform anymore at some point in the next month, Jeremiah does hope to be contributing somewhere on Saturdays next fall.
"My future goal is to play football at the next level," Jordan said. "Before that, though, I will continue to be the best Pirates' football player I can possibly be."
